Hai Geng Dam resembles a jade ribbon nestled along the shore of Dianchi Lake, seamlessly connecting the city with nature. In winter, thousands of black-headed gulls swoop over the water like snowflakes, their cries echoing against the backdrop of misty clouds and distant mountains—a sound that seems to carry the millennia-old breath of Dianchi. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the banks in soft, cloud-like profusion; petals drift on the breeze, transforming the promenade into a poetic pink scroll. Strolling through this scene, visitors feel as though they have stepped into an ink-wash painting.
Stretching 4.8 kilometers long, the dam is structured around the “Three Dykes and Two Islands” layout, integrating sightseeing, leisure, and ecological conservation into one harmonious space. It serves as a natural haven for Kunming residents who come here for morning exercise, birdwatching, and photography.
Historically, this site was once a ferry crossing on the ancient Dian Kingdom route. During the Ming dynasty, it became known as “Haigeng Ferry,” witnessing bustling trade and travelers. Although the Qing-dynasty scholar Sun Ranweng—famous for composing China’s “longest couplet”—never directly wrote about Haigeng, his celebrated line, “Five hundred li of Dianchi Lake rushes into view,” resonates powerfully with the grandeur of the dam’s landscape.
On the eastern shore, the “Haigeng Cultural Corridor” showcases exhibitions on the fishing and hunting traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities. On the western shore, “Gull Paradise” offers the best vantage point for watching gulls; each winter, visitors can feed the birds up close, delighting in the graceful dance between humans and nature.
As a model of Kunming’s ecological restoration efforts, Haigeng Dam masterfully blends the city skyline with lakeside scenery and mountain vistas, standing today not only as a natural wonder but also as a modern landmark where culture and ecology thrive together.
