Baiyukou Scenic Area in Kunming
Overview
The Baiyukou Scenic Area (白鱼口风景区) is located on the western shore of Dianchi Lake (滇池), approximately thirty kilometers from Kunming (昆明). It extends like a peninsula into the lake, characterized by lush forests, clear waters, and an elegant environment. During the flood season, sediments flow in from the west, settling in the lake, creating a calm underwater current that attracts small white fish to frolic in the waters of Dianchi Lake, hence the name “Baiyukou.” Another explanation for the name suggests that a small hill near the valley resembles a white fish opening its mouth, with the lake lying to the west.
Geographic Environment
On the northern side of Baiyukou Valley, there are ten acres of flat land, backed by steep cliffs and facing Dianchi Lake, creating a picturesque setting. In the early years of the Republic of China, a garden villa was built here. The garden featured a small building made of piled stone blocks, resembling the character “磊” (pronounced “lei”). Thus, it was named Leiyuan (磊园).
Leiyuan has three levels, facing the lake and exhibiting an ancient and solemn style reminiscent of a European castle, also exhibiting elements of southwestern fortress architecture. The small hall on the second floor has a glass wall facing west, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning view of the mountains and water from within.
Next to the Leilou building, several small houses were built, with a fish pond on the west side, a rockery, and cherry blossom trees planted on the east side, along with green grass and weeping willows, creating a “flower forest.” A long dyke runs along the lakeside, with drooping green willows swaying gracefully, and within the dyke are several acres of lotus ponds, where lotuses bloom and fish leap. Surrounding the ponds are arched stone bridges and two stone pavilions. The pavilions, designed in a European style, resemble square boxes with doorways and windows.
In 1953, the Baiyukou area became home to the Yunnan Provincial Workers’ Sanatorium (云南省工人疗养院), incorporating Leiyuan and transforming it into a scenic therapeutic retreat, also known as Konggu Garden (空谷园). A yacht dock was established on the lakeshore in the southeast corner of the villa garden, along with a stone dyke extending into Dianchi Lake, which serves as both a mooring area for boats and a scenic viewing spot.
Scenic Features
Baiyukou faces the outer sea of Dianchi Lake, with a water surface area of up to 11 square kilometers, making it the largest section of the lake. A local folk song captures the beauty of the area, stating:
“此地水阔浪飞雪，成群海鸥连天白。
天上白云水中游，天水鱼鸟成一色。”
(“The water here is vast, waves flying like snow,
With flocks of seagulls connecting the sky.
White clouds in the sky swim in the water,
The sky and water blend with fish and birds.”)
From Baiyukou, the view of Dianchi Lake offers a unique charm: when the clouds obscure the sky, the lake ripples expansively, appearing boundless; on clear sunny days, the distant mountains appear as dark shades, creating picturesque scenery. Especially enchanting are the nights with gentle breezes, where moonlight ripples on the waves, softly caressing the willow dyke, and the distant mountains reflect the moonlight, creating a mystical atmosphere.
