Khanka Lake in China
By admin on 2014-12-26

Khanka Lake (兴凯湖) is a transboundary freshwater body located on the border between Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China and Primorsky Krai, Russia. It is situated 120 km from Jixi. The area of the lake is 4,190 km2 of which 3,030 km2 are located in Russia, and 1,160 km2—in China. The area around the lake is an important wetland habitat and forms a National Nature Reserve on the Chinese side and the Khanka Lake Nature Reserve on the Russian side. It is a remarkable site for nature protection, eco-tourism as well as scientific research (concerning bird migrations). The rare Lesser White-fronted Goose makes its home upon this lake. The lake area located on Chinese territory belongs to the Chinese government and is exploited by collective farms for fishery, agriculture and livestock raising.

Khanka Lake is composed of one large lake and one small one which are divided by a sandy hill. The trees on the hill are luxuriantly green and elegantly beautiful. The small lake is quiet and peaceful with fish swimming around and birds flying. Occasionally, there’re some sailboats traveling on the lake. The larger lake is with vastly mist-covered water and the boundless water seems blending with the sky. It was praised as the emerald of north China as its vigorous and boundless water. In 1996, Mr. Jiang Zemin, the Secretary General of China and Russian President Yeltsin subscribed the Sino-Russia Agreement on Khanka Lake Environmental Protection. Since then, Khanka Lake became a Nature Reserve protected by our government and Russian government.

In spring, Khanka Lake is a paradise for migrants. As it is the main route of migrant in the east, every spring, thousands of migrants fly past here, take a break and look for some food. In summer, the lake is a summer resort owing to the fantastic scenery. The lakeshore is a vast sand beach continuing hundreds of miles. You can paddle in the lake and fight against the storming waves. You can enjoy the cool in the umbrage on the sandy hill; feel the wind breezing near your face; taste the delicious roasted fish while appreciate the wonderful scene which will make your mind suddenly enlightened. It will be a great experience if you could drive a boat floating on the lake, look over Bee Mountain and look down the plains and villages on the foot of mountain. All these euphoric view will make you seem to be in a dream. In autumn, Khanka Lake is really colorful. Take an overlook from the top of a hill, green water, white clouds in the sky, red autumnal leaves and trees will come into your eyes immediately.

On the sides of road leading to Khanka Lake, plump paddy lows down their hands in the farmland stretching to the horizon. Taking a walk in the woods, you will hear the fallen leaves rustling under your feet. The red leaves of wild grapes and hawthorns will enchant you deeply with the sweet, lightly acid smell of the fruit.

You may encounter with Khanka spotted deer in the forests along the lake. The voice of deer, companied with the autumn wind, sounds melodious. In winter, Khanka Lake is covered by thick ice and looks like a silver kingdom. On the vast lake, ice covers with snows and expresses an extensive atmosphere.

At the mouth of Khanka Lake, you can find that the Songacha River, with the contrast of the sunrise, the steam of the river water wanders like a giant dragon in the air. The fog on the trees along the riverbank is transparent, crystal and exquisite which forms a fabulous world for you.