Chirui Lake in Shiping County, Honghe

Chirui Lake (赤瑞湖), located south of Baoxiu Town (宝秀镇) in Shiping County (石屏县), Yunnan Province (云南省), sits at an altitude of 1,427.5 meters. Originally named West Lake (西湖), it was renamed Chirui Lake in the 52nd year of the Kangxi era (康熙五十二年, 1713) due to its striking red color resembling cinnabar (丹砂) observed for over a month.

Introduction to the Lake

Chirui Lake is a natural plateau lake with an area of approximately 24.5 square li, which was reduced to 8 square kilometers by 1950 and currently holds a water capacity of 10 million cubic meters. The Duanxi River (端溪河) flows eastward into Yilong Lake (异龙湖). At present, the lake area has shrunk to 589 acres. Historically, Chirui Lake has dried up twice. After a drought in 2010, the people of Shiping took the opportunity to rehabilitate the lake.

Historical Context

In the book Diary of Yunnan Travels: Panjiang Investigation (《滇游日记一·盘江考》), it is recorded:

“I have seen the southern source of the Panjiang River (南盘江), and heard of a western source even farther, which flows southwest to Shiping Prefecture (石屏州). The water source originates from 40 miles west of Shiping, flowing into Baoxiu Mountain’s giant pond (即赤瑞湖), then southeast down to Shiping, merging into Yilong Lake…”

Changes in the Environment

A report from Yunnan Net (云南网) on March 10, 2010, states:

“From September 2009 to January 2010, the average temperature in Shiping County was 16.4°C, 1.1°C higher than the historical average for that period. Rainfall was abnormally low, with a total precipitation of only 84 mm during this period, 68% less than the historical average. The once shimmering Chirui Lake with fishing boats and soaring gulls is now completely dry, with cracked earth exposed at the bottom.”

Another report from Honghe Daily (红河日报) on March 13, 2010, mentions:

“Due to prolonged drought, Chirui Lake in Baoxiu Town has completely dried up, causing difficulties for over 10,000 villagers and hundreds of livestock in the area. The drought has impacted agriculture severely.”

The lake basin includes seven village committees with a population of 38,000. The drought led to water access issues for 14,155 people, 586 large livestock, and 36,300 poultry. Additionally, 2,465 acres of wheat and 816 acres of rapeseed failed, while 2,800 acres of other economic crops were severely drought-affected. An estimated 7,158 acres of rice fields could not be planted on time due to the lack of irrigation from Chirui Lake.

Renewal Efforts

Following the drought in 2010, local authorities recognized the situation as a rare opportunity for lake restoration. The Honghe Prefectural Committee and government prioritized the matter, issuing directives to seize the moment for rehabilitation. The provincial government allocated 500,000 yuan in emergency funds, and relevant departments expressed significant interest in the restoration efforts.

Yang Xiang (杨飏), Secretary of the Baoxiu Town Committee, stated:

“If we had sufficient funding, we could organize more excavators and transport vehicles to clear over 900,000 cubic meters of silt before the rainy season arrives. This could double the water storage capacity of Chirui Lake, addressing the water needs of 38,000 people and effectively regulating the water levels of Yilong Lake.”

Key Attractions

• Chirui Lake (赤瑞湖): A significant natural lake undergoing restoration efforts.
• Baoxiu Town (宝秀镇): The town adjacent to Chirui Lake, serving as the main gateway to the site.

How to Get There

• From Kunming (昆明): Approximately 241 kilometers by bus or car.
• From Mengzi (蒙自): About 149 kilometers, accessible by bus or car.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for exploring the area.
• Local Culture: Respect local customs and traditions. Engage with the community to learn more about their lake restoration efforts.
• Transportation: Public buses connect Baoxiu Town with nearby towns. Renting a bike or using local transport is recommended for further exploration.
• Accommodation: Plan your stay in advance. Lodging options near the lake may be limited, so consider staying in Shiping County.
• Environmental Awareness: Help maintain the cleanliness of Chirui Lake and its surroundings by disposing of waste properly and respecting nature.