Watching seagulls at Dien Tri Lake, the winter 'symphony' of the billion-people country
Coming to Dien Tri Lake, visitors will be able to admire the charming scenery with white seagulls flying freely, with clear cries blending with the sound of waves lapping the shore.
Dianchi Lake is located in Xishan District, 15 km west of Kunming City (China). Its unique shape resembles a crescent moon, and is formed by the mountains on all four sides, namely Jinma Mountain, Biji Mountain, Sheshan Mountain, and Baihe Mountain.
When winter comes, this place seems to put on a new coat. The lake surface is calm, reflecting the distant mountains, the blue sky and the white clouds. The cold wind blows gently, making the rows of willow trees along the lake sway...
The scene became even more impressive when flocks of pure white seagulls flew back, their clear cries like a captivating symphony.
On November 12, 1985, thousands of red-billed gulls arrived in Kunming for the first time. According to experts, red-billed gulls migrated to avoid winter from the Kyrgyzstan Lake Basin, the southern part of Russia's Lake Baikal, and the Bosten Lake Basin in Xinjiang.
And since then, every winter from November, thousands of seagulls fly back here as scheduled and for nearly 40 years without a single interruption. It is the friendliness and food provided by the local people that has created the boldness and attachment of this strange bird species to the "spring city".
Seagulls fly over the lake, sometimes swooping down to look for food or gathering in large flocks, perching on tree branches… creating an impressive scene. Kunming people also consider seagulls as warm friends, creatures that bring luck and peace. They often go to Dien Tri Lake to watch and feed them, while children enjoy playing with them. Seagulls have become a symbol of the city, contributing significantly to the development of ecotourism in Kunming.
With a cool, pleasant climate all year round, Kunming is an ideal destination for outdoor tourism. Spring is the best time to see cherry blossoms in full bloom, summer is quite cool, suitable for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, sunbathing... However, tourists often come here at the end of the year to explore the vibrant festival of fishermen at Dien Tri Lake, join them in casting nets and catching full catches of fish... And most especially, enjoy the beautiful scenery and wait for the flock of red-billed seagulls to return.
On winter afternoons, when the sun gradually sets, the roads along Dien Tri Lake are bustling with people walking, taking pictures and playing with seagulls. The peaceful scene seems to be separate from the hustle and bustle of the city.