South of the Clouds: The Poetic and Picturesque Fuxian Lake

It has been more than 20 years since I last visited Fuxian Lake. In the early morning, I set off from my home in Chenggong. The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze caressed my face. The colorful Yunnan scenery outside the car window was so captivating that I couldn't take my eyes off it. After about half an hour, we parked in the Cherry Blossom Valley. Our group of friends and family walked toward the clear blue lake, gradually immersing ourselves in the dreamlike landscape of the lake, with its blue sky, azure water, and clouds. Under the vast blue sky, the white clouds drifted leisurely, evoking thoughts of the past; In the vast blue waves, fish swam in the shallow water, and the green grass swayed gently. Barefoot, I walked on the soft white sand to a thatched sunshade. Looking back at the lake, I was transported back to that year, when my mother and relatives swam in Chengjiang. My daughter, who was nicknamed "White Stripe in the Waves," was captured in my camera lens as she played in the water. Now, as I look around, the lake is as clear and transparent as a mirror, reflecting the white clouds in the sky. My mother has been gone for decades, and my daughter has become a mother herself, thousands of miles away. As time passes, Fuxian Lake becomes more charming and enchanting, with its beautiful scenery captivating the soul. Visitors from all over the world are enchanted by the fairyland-like Fuxian Lake, taking photos and lingering, reluctant to leave. Located more than 60 km from Kunming, Fuxian Lake, known locally as Chengjiang, is the second-deepest freshwater lake in China, with an average depth of 95.2 m. The 200-square-kilometer lake is fed by numerous springs, and its water is crystal clear, earning it the title of a national first-class water source. Fuxian Lake is as calm as a virgin, with fish and shrimp swimming in the shallow water. The anti-wave fish, like little elves, play among the aquatic plants. The blue and green lake surface reflects the white clouds, creating a sense of freedom and relaxation. As the sun set in the west, we reluctantly bid farewell to the blue sky and water of Fuxian Lake. We walked along the flower-filled embankment, passing by bamboo houses with the aroma of charcoal-grilled Shiping tofu wafting through the air. We sat down for a meal, enjoying wild mushrooms and cured meat... No matter how long you are away from Fuxian Lake, the blue water that lingers in your eyes and heart is like a dream, haunting you and making you long for it!