The wetlands
Boardwalks on the water.
aisccd — CC BY 3.0 · aisccd — CC BY 3.0 · 杨志强Zhiqiang — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 杨志强Zhiqiang — CC BY-SA 3.0 · aisccd — CC BY 3.0 · aisccd — CC BY 3.0 · 杨志强Zhiqiang — CC BY-SA 3.0 · aisccd — CC BY 3.0
Sichuan's second-largest freshwater lake, spreading over 27 square kilometres at the foot of Lushan south-east of Xichang; it formed when the ground sank in an earthquake recorded in 116 BC, leaving an L-shaped lake between the mountains. Wetland parks ring the lake, revived after decades in which its shores were filled in, with boardwalks over the water, lotus fields and small islands where birds shelter, and a walking and cycling path of about forty kilometres runs all the way round. The plateau climate here makes winters warm and summers mild, with an average of about twenty degrees. Entry is free; the wetland park is open from 6 am to 10 pm in summer and until 9 pm in winter, and bicycles rent around the lake for CNY 20 to 50, per visitor guides.
Boardwalks on the water.
Round the lake.
In summer.
Foot of Lushan, about 7 km from central Xichang, Liangshan, Sichuan
Xichang has a few restaurants run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign; the city is known for Yi-style barbecue, mostly pork, so ask about ingredients.