Yanming Lake Ecological Scenic Area (雁栖湖生态风景区) is situated in Zhongmu County, Henan Province, China. Formed by the Zhao Kou Yellow River Diversion Sedimentation Pond Project, a key provincial construction project in 1989, Yanming Lake lies north of the ancient Yellow River ferry, adjacent to the National Forest Park to the south, and faces Dream Lake and Sister Lake across the river, covering an area of 4,000 acres.
Surrounded by emerald embankments and vast expanses of rippling waters, Yanming Lake boasts a diverse and picturesque landscape. The lake is adorned with abundant aquatic plants, including reeds and bulrushes, while its waters are home to a variety of wild aquatic products such as Yellow River carp, Chinese mitten crabs, grass carp, silver carp, eels, shrimp, and turtles. Rare birds such as egrets, wild geese, swans, ducks, and mandarin ducks also inhabit and breed in the area.
Table of Contents
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0371-62321937 |
Location and Transportation
Yanming Lake is located in Zhongmu County, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China. It is approximately 27 kilometers from Kaifeng City, 30 kilometers from Zhengzhou City, and 5 kilometers from the exit of the Kailuo Expressway. Visitors can easily reach Yanming Lake by taking a direct bus from Zhengzhou Long-distance Bus North Station (郑州长途汽车北站), with buses departing every 50 minutes.
Highlights of Yanming Lake
Stunning Scenery
Yanming Lake represents a harmonious blend of artificial and natural elements, with its expansive water surface of 4,000 acres making it the largest lake east of Zhengzhou in Henan Province. Its stunning scenery and ecological environment are truly breathtaking. Beyond the embankments lies vast golden rice fields, while within the lake, it becomes a paradise for waterfowl and a sanctuary for reeds. Over 50 species of birds thrive here, with hundreds of acres of reed beds extending across the rippling blue waves. Sandpipers soar and swim, herons elegantly parade, while mandarin ducks affectionately court each other.
Fishing Center and Facilities
The scenic area boasts the largest fishing center in Henan Province, featuring over 1,000 acres of fish ponds arranged in a continuous line around the lake for fishing enthusiasts to enjoy. The roads within the scenic area are smooth and spacious, with one parking lot covering 15,000 square meters, three squares, two cruise ship docks, and a Sister Lake food court that can accommodate up to 2,000 diners simultaneously. Additionally, six high-standard toilets have been constructed for visitors’ convenience.
Various Attractions
Key attractions within Yanming Lake Ecological Scenic Area include Nearwater Pavilion, Lotus Pond Reflection, Bird Island Discovery, Emerald Embankment in Spring, Curved Railing in the Wind, Arched Waves, Tranquil Forests Listening to Cicadas, Sunset of Farm Cooking, and Lake Fishing. Moreover, the scenic area offers a variety of recreational activities such as bamboo raft races, water biking competitions, kayak races, remote control boat competitions, fishing competitions, children’s fishing and crabbing competitions, and long-distance running competitions around Yanming Lake.
