[New Yunnan Notes] Haigeng Dam and Haigeng Park: A Romantic Encounter with Dianchi Lake and Seagulls

Time: February
Updated: 2025.03.18

[New Yunnan Notes] Haigeng Dam and Haigeng Park: A Romantic Encounter with Dianchi Lake and Seagulls

At noon on February 13th, after enjoying some delicious cross-bridge rice noodles, I headed to the Haigeng Dam, a place I'd longed to visit. Haigeng Dam is located in Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, on the northern side of Caohai on the east shore of Dianchi Lake. It stretches from Yongchang Wetland Park in the north to Haigeng Park in the south. The dam is vast and long, approximately 2.8 kilometers long. As Kunming's largest waterfront viewing platform for Dianchi Lake, it serves as a link, connecting people with its beauty.

"Haigeng," as its name suggests, means a ridge across the sea. It was originally a long causeway running east to west, like a wedge into Dianchi Lake. Starting from Haigeng Village and stretching to the foot of Xishan Mountain, it stretches 5 kilometers long, with a width varying between 60 and 300 meters. This natural ridge divides the over 300 square kilometers of Dianchi Lake into two parts: to the south lies the vast main lake area, while to the north lies the tranquil and beautiful "Grass Sea." The origin of Dianchi Lake is etched with a moving legend. Long ago, the Kunming area was completely dry. A heroic hunter bid farewell to his newlywed wife and journeyed across mountains and valleys to the East China Sea in search of water. At the shore, he spotted a goshawk holding a small red fish. Drawing his bow and arrow, he shot the hawk down, saving the fish. The fish turned out to be the third princess of the East China Sea Dragon King. Admired by the hunter's bravery, the princess offered her life to him. However, the hunter, missing his wife at home, took advantage of the Dragon King's absence, broke free, filled his belly with fresh water, and hurried back to Kunming. However, his wife, longing for him excessively, had already passed away, transforming into Sleeping Beauty Mountain. The hunter, overcome with grief, vomited the water in his stomach and crashed into the mountain, his body also transforming into Dianchi Lake.

At the entrance to the dam, a stone tablet with the Chinese characters "Dianchi" and the long couplet of Daguan Tower is striking.

There are cruise ships parked by the Dianchi Lake, and speedboats speeding on the water.

Standing on the Haigeng Dam, you can take in the panoramic view of Dianchi Lake at the foot of Xishan Mountain. The water and sky merge into one, creating a breathtaking scenery. The fresh air is refreshing and invigorating. This is not only an iconic attraction in Kunming, but also an ideal place to admire the beauty of Dianchi Lake and its red-billed gulls.

The dam was bustling with couples filming on location. Despite spring, the wind was still biting. Since 1985, every winter, Kunming has welcomed a special flock of "little elves"—red-billed gulls that have arrived from distant Siberia to spend the winter. Kunming residents have a deep bond with these birds, long considering them old friends, and the gulls have considered Kunming their second home.

Every year at this time, millions of tourists flock to witness this spectacular spectacle. Spend two yuan for a bag of bird seed, hold out your hand, and the seagulls will gracefully descend to pick at the food—a truly delightful spectacle. Unfortunately, I arrived at noon, so I didn't encounter any flocks of seagulls happily playing with people, nor did I hear their clear cries. I only saw them circling and flying around the cruise ships on Dianchi Lake. I asked the security guard where the seagulls were, but they flew away after feeding. The dam is well-equipped with railings, feature walls, decorative lighting, sculptures, and carved floor tiles. A statue of the renowned musician Nie Er also stands here. I was eager to see the seagulls, but all I saw were crowds of people. Even at the best viewing spot, I couldn't see any fluttering birds, which was a bit disappointing.

Passing by Haigeng East Pier, I heard the familiar cry of seagulls. Seeing the lively scene of flocks of seagulls happily interacting with tourists, I couldn't wait to get closer. The crowd was so bustling that I finally managed to get someone to take a photo for me. But the others stood out in the photo, and I only took up a tiny part. Someone, holding up a photo, kept shouting, "Want a photo? Photos of seagulls perched on your hands, 10 or 20 yuan each." I shook my head and decided to focus on photographing the seagulls.

Entering Haigeng Park, the first thing that strikes your eye is the emerald green lawns, offering a relaxing place to relax. Here, visitors can soak up the sunshine, feel the gentle breeze, and enjoy the gifts of nature. Strolling along the lakeshore, rows of weeping willows gently sway over the surface, as if telling a story stretching back thousands of years. These willow trees not only provide a green barrier for the park but also offer a stunning backdrop for photographs. Against the backdrop of the lake, their graceful beauty is even more captivating, inviting visitors to linger.

The thousands of willow trees within the park bear silent witness to Haigeng's 30-year transformation. In spring, when shy buds quietly emerge from the slender branches of the willows, the earth is instantly blanketed in verdant green. In the sky, willow catkins drift in the wind, resembling a gentle song and dance, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene of spring. This is the renowned Dianchi Lake catkins scene.

Entering the park, you'll find numerous eucalyptus trees, including two century-old eucalyptus trees intertwined. One tall and straight, the other graceful and graceful, they resemble a pair of devoted lovers, quietly gazing out at Dianchi Lake hand in hand. They've been given the name Lianli Qigan (Lianli Qigan).

Only by visiting Haigeng can you truly appreciate the graceful beauty of Sleeping Beauty Mountain. Viewed from the west of the park, Xishan resembles a sleeping beauty reclining on the shores of Dianchi Lake, her face clearly visible, her curves sleek and graceful, her hair seemingly flowing in the wind. Peacefully slumbering beside Dianchi Lake, she and the lake together create an unparalleled spectacle. Xishan is covered with lush forests, flourishing flowers and plants, and is quiet and beautiful. It has been known as the "best place in central Yunnan" since ancient times.

Haigeng Park is not only an ideal place for leisure and entertainment for citizens, but also carries a profound historical and cultural heritage. This was once a famous ferry crossing on the shores of Dianchi Lake, witnessing the development and transformation of Kunming. The park also boasts unique cultural attractions, such as the sea-viewing promenade and cable car, offering visitors panoramic views of Dianchi Lake and the Western Hills. The park is also home to numerous seagulls, stretching endlessly along the water's surface. They create a unique scenic landscape along Kunming's Dianchi Lake, bringing endless joy to visitors and symbolizing the city's warmth in winter. Seagulls are gregarious waterfowl, soaring freely throughout the park, circling, diving, and resting on the lake's surface in a joyful display. Their primary diet is gull food offered by visitors, and whenever food is offered, the gulls scramble to grab it, creating a vibrant and engaging scene.