Honghu Lake: The Largest Lake of Freshwater on the Jianghan Plain
By admin on 2015-01-29

As the largest lake of non-contaminative freshwater on the Jianghan Plain, the Honghu Lake is located in the southwest of Honghu City, which is reputed as the city of a hundred lakes and a land flowing with milk and honey. The lake covers an area of 348 square kilometers and has a shape of polygon. With straight lakeshore and flat bottom, the lake is crystal clear in a light-green color.     

The scenery changing with seasons and special fishing customs make the Honghu Lake a perfect scenic spot. In spring, stretches of wild flowers contend in bizarrerie and beauty, while numerous fishing boats sail in the lake. In summer, the lake is covered with clusters of lotus flowers. In autumn, one can tour in the lake by boat and taste delicious lotus seed and water chestnut, experiencing the pleasure of a fisherman's life. In winter, migratory birds such as wild goose and mallard fly here, and one can hunt in specified areas. Every year, the beautiful Honghu Lake attracts numerous visitors from home and abroad.  
  
Besides enchanting scenery, the Honghu Lake is abundant in aquatic products. The water of Honghu Lake is rich in organic substances with a content exceeding other lakes in Hubei Province. It is a key producing area of freshwater fish of 84 species. Many fisheries and farms are built around the lake. About 92 aquatic plants grow in the lake and the annual export volume of lotus seeds amounts to over 200,000 kilograms. Moreover, the lake is an ideal habitat for migratory birds with its flourishing float grass and abundant fish and shrimps. About 39 species of hibernation water birds fly here to pass the winter, together with 18 species of mallard. The annual fish output totals more than 300,000 kilograms, amounting to over a half of the total output of the whole province. The meat of mallard and wild goose is delicious and their eiderdown can be used to make high-quality clothes or bedding.