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Erhai Lake and Erhai Park

The name of Erhai Lake (Erhai Hu) literally means "Ear Sea" because it is shaped like an ear. As it is also 1,972 meters above sea level the lake is also known as the "plateau pearl". Looking down from the Cangshan Mountains in the west, the lake resembles a huge silver mirror under the sun.

At the southern-most end of the lake is Erhai Park, which used to be a lonely miniature peninsular on the lake and a hunting resort for the King of the Nanzhao Kingdom. The park that exists today was built in 1976 and includes an arboretum (with camellia, azalea and rare snow lotus), a zoo, a children's playground, and a public swimming pool. Winding paths weave through the hills in the park. The spot best for a good view of the Lake from the park is Guanertai, a pagoda that overlooks the surrounding scenery.