Fuxian Lake
Fuxian Lake stretches out through Chengjiang, Jiangchuan and Huaning Counties in Yunnan Province, spanning an area of 212 square kilometers. The lake is ranked third-largest in Yunnan, after Dian Lake and Erhai Lake. Also the deepest lake in Yunnan, it is 155 meters deep at its greatest depth. It is also the third-deepest fresh water lake in China, after Tianchi and Kanas Lake.
Climate
Fuxian Lake has humid subtropical climate with humid summers and mild dry winters.Flora and fauna
Fuxian Lake is known for its unique fauna, including many endemic species. However, its relative isolation makes it vulnerable to biological invasions and pollution.Together with other Yunnan lakes, Fuxian is recognized as an ecoregion. Fuxian is one of three major Yunnan lakes with a high number of endemics, the others being Dian and Erhai. There are 24 native fish species and subspecies in Fuxian Lake, including 11 endemics. The situation for most of these is precarious because they have been negatively impacted by the many introduction of exotic species of fish, habitat degradation, water pollution, and overfishing. The endemic fish are all cyprinids or stone loaches.
| Species | IUCN assessment | Comment |
| Poropuntius chonglingchungi | Critically endangered | Possibly extinct |
| Cyprinus fuxianensis | Critically endangered | Possibly extinct |
| Schizothorax lepidothorax | Endangered | Possibly extinct |
| Sinocyclocheilus tingi | Endangered | Still survives, but strong decline |
| Tor yunnanensis | Endangered | Possibly extinct |
| Anabarilius grahami | Not assessed | Still survives, but nearing extinction |
| Discogobio longibarbatus | Not assessed | Possibly extinct |
| Percocypris regani | Not assessed | Still survives. Recent evidence suggests it should be considered a species instead of a subspecies |
| Triplophysa fuxianensis | Not assessed | Still survives |
| Yunnanilus chuia | Not assessed | Possibly extinct |
| Yunnanilus obtusirostrisa | Not assessed | Possibly extinct |
The fungus Dyrithiopsis lakefuxianensis, growing on submerged wood, has been collected from Fuxian Lake and described as a newly discovered species, as indicated by its scientific name.
A few native hydrophytes have disappeared from the lake.
The prehistoric Fuxianhuia, significant in discussions of arthropod evolution, is also named after the lake, where it was discovered in 1987.
Lost city
In 2001 it was reported that earthenware and stonework covering an area of approximately 2.4–2.7 square kilometers had been discovered beneath the lake. Carbon dating circa 2007 confirmed an age of 1,750 years, or approximately 257 CE. It is thought that the remains may represent buildings from the ancient Dian Kingdom that slid into the lake during an earthquake.In 2006, CCTV made an additional survey. Carbon dating in 2007 found shells attached to relics to be roughly 1,750 years old. In October 2014 additional research was made on the site by a multidisciplinary team. Portions were mapped and 42 handmade stone artifacts were recovered from a depth of seven meters.