(镜泊湖)

Jingbo Lake(镜泊湖)

Jingbo Lake was one of the earliest scenic spots certificated by China's tourism authorities.It is now a national 4A tourist attraction and the world geopark.Since the 1960s more than 100 leaders of China and the Communist Party such as Liu Shaoqi，Deng Xiaoping，Jiang Zemin and so on，have visited Jingbo Lake and conducted inspection work here.Marshal Ye Jianying spoke highly of its beautiful scenery:“A quiet lake embraced by mountains，dotted by islets，the northern serene beauty beats scenery in southern China.”When Chairman Deng Xiaoping personally inspected Jingbo Lake in 1983，he wrote down four characters“Jingbo Shengjing”(Jingbo Lake's beautiful scenery).

Jingbo Lake was formed about10，000 years ago when ancient volcanoes erupted，spouting lava and damming the Mudanjing River.The lake is 90.3 square kilometers.Its average depth is40meters and 62 meters at its deepest point.The lake is 50 kilometers long and 9 kilometers wide at its widest part.When the dry season comes，it is still 300 meters wide at its narrowest part.The lake was named“Jingbo”or“Mirror Lake”for its serenity.It consists of the North，Middle，South，and Upper Lake.Along the banks there are many harbors.The lake is dotted with numerous islets which mainly include eight famous sights，such as the Diaoshuilou Waterfall，Pearl Corks，Dagu，Taoist，and Xiaogu Hills，and White Stone，City Wall and Crow Islets.Diaoshuilou Waterfall is one of China's three major waterfalls and is the most famous of these sights.Normally the waterfall is 40 meters wide and 12 meters high.But during the rainy season，this waterfall becomes several waterfalls，all dropping simultaneously，and its overall width expands to 200 meters.During the dry season，the waterfall disappears and the stone wall surrounding the pool becomes a natural whispering gallery.

There is a legend about this waterfall.A long time ago，there lived a smart and beautiful girl called Hongluo behind the water sheet.She was loved by many young men near and far.She claimed that whoever wanted to pursue a courtship had to answer the question“what is the most precious thing in the world”.As news spread，an endless stream of men came here to propose marriage，including warriors，scholars，businessmen，and even a king.Warriors said it was“force”，scholars“books”，businessmen“money”，while the king said it should be“power”.None satisfied the girl and thus the warriors and scholars went away in a shame，the businessmen poured the treasure into the lake and never courted，but king shamelessly kept standing on the islet pondering until he at last died becoming the food of crows.

White Stone Islet consists of three hills with white stones pleasantly stacked and strewn about.The islet got its name from the piles of guano deposited by ospreys on it.Usually the White Stone Islet is connected with its adjacent bank，but when the water is rising，it is separated from the bank and thus it was called white cliff islet.Dagu Hill is an islet in the lake and is about 150 meters above the water.It looks like a buffalo showing its back in the water，full of animation.During the spring，the apricots and plums are in full blossom and roses，Xingan azaleas and other colorful wild flowers cover the hill.Thus the Dagu Hill could be called a hill of flowers.

During the period of the anti-Japanese war，the allied troop led by Zhou Baozhong established a base area here.Small and exquisite Xiaogu Hill lies in the middle lake like a great lion 19 meters above the water.It has sharp hillsides and lush vegetation.A kind of mossy plant grows on its stones and is called“stone flowers”.These“stone flowers”stay green year round.Some visitors pick and put them into their fish globes to help them remember their visit here.Pearl Corks lie in the Middle Lake's narrowest southern part.The two islets 15 meters above the water are just 10 meters away from each other，looking like two pearls paired together and forming a kind of natural gate into the lake.Hence，the name Pearl Corks.According to legend itwas formed when a girl named Hongluo threw the pearls given to her by the businessmen who sought her hand in marriage into the water.Passing the Pearl Corks，looking at the east bank of the lake you will see a separate high hill lying in the lake.This is the Taoist Hill，located in the southern part of Jingbo Lake.The islet，quiet and deep is covered with old trees stretching into the sky.According to a legend there was once a big bell called“nine dragons visiting its mother”in Sanqing Temple.This bell's sound resonated long after it stopped tolling.Crow Islet is located at the south end of the lake and is so named because it looks like a lying crow in the lake.The islet is covered with thick forest and the crotches of the trees are studded with crows' nests.Around the nearby bodies of water there are many other sea birds like cormorants，water hens，mandarin ducks，and the like.

The lava tunnel 35 kilometers northwest of Jingbo Lake is one of the world's rare geo-view of the lava tunnels.It was caused by a volcanic eruption that took place between 4，000 and 8，000 years ago.The longest tunnel discovered is500meters long and the shortest is several dozen meters.A lava curb hangs on the upper side of the tunnel，which shows wonderful formations with delicate and exquisite patterns; it's almost as if they had been carved and arranged in some regular order by human beings.In it there are some erect stone poles and natural stone beds，as well as stone stairs.The underground forests lie 13 kilometers northwest of the lava tunnel.The virgin forests are at the craters，so when seen from the top，they are like forests growing under the ground; hence，they are named underground forests(they are also called crater forests).Those forests are located deep in the hill.There are altogether ten such craters，and each is about 1，000 meters high，which is the elevation best suited for dense forest growth.Each crater has a radius of between 400 and 500 meters and is 100 to 200 meters deep.No 3 crater is the biggest with the radius of550meters and the depth of 200 meters.Visitors looking from above can see the red pine，larch，purple lime，water willow，yellow pineapple and the other rare and valuable trees growing densely on the crater's walls.There are also valuable Chinese medicines like ginseng，pseudo-ginseng，astragalus henryl，schisandra，and the like.When visitors descend along the stairs they can see hidden volcanic lava holes.During the summer these holes are covered with thin ice，but through the winter and spring，they are covered with a thick layer of ice.

Jingbo Lake is famous not only for its beautiful scenery but for its abundant aquatic life.The lake is large and water quality is good and well suited for fish to breed in.In addition to lake crucian fish，it is also rich in carp，red tail，mandarin，and big white fish; there are altogether 40 species of fish living in the lake.Ice fishing is done here during the winter and each catch amounts to 5，000 kilos.The beautiful surrounding forest has abundant wild grapes，sea buckthorn berry，hill peaches，pine nuts，Chinese dates，and all kinds of mushrooms and jew's ear.Moreover，many different plants，including a large variety of ginsengs，used in many Chinese medicines，can be found here.The lake area is also home to more than 200 kinds of wild animals and birds.Deer，martens，and bees are raised here and ginseng is planted，so the area has an abundant supply of expensive natural products，like deer antlers and ermine fur.Finally，anyone visiting here must take the opportunity to have a big fish dinner.The lake crucian fish is big and fat，weighing from 1 to1.5 kilos.The fresh and delicious fish can be used to make a hearty soup or can be fried.In the past the fish was sent to the king as tribute.

There once existed a Bohai kingdom called“Flourishing Kingdom East of the Sea”.The Bohai kingdom was a local power established by the Mohe national minority in 698 during the Tang Dynasty.At the beginning it was called Shaking Nation，but in 713 it was renamed the Bohai Kingdom by the Tang Dynasty.It existed for over two centuries before being overwhelmed by the rival Liao Kingdom in 926.At its height，the Bohai Kingdom extended to the middle and lower Heilongjiang River and Kuye Island.Many historical sites left from the kingdom exist，and the most famous of them is the former capital，Shangjing City，whose buildings were constructed in Tang Dynasty architectural style.City Wall islet is another Bohai Kingdom historical site; here tourists can see one of the kingdom's hill towns that was built on top of the hill located in the middle of Jingbo Lake's west bank in Ningan city.

Now our Jingbo Lake tour comes to an end.I believe that everyone is deeply impressed by its beautiful scenery and will never forget it.Everyone coming to Jingbo's scenic spots has many beautiful places to visit，much delicious food to taste，and special local products to buy.Welcome to Jingbo Lake again.

镜泊湖风景区为首批国家重点风景名胜区，是国家4A级旅游区、世界地质公园。自20世纪60年代起，相继有刘少奇、邓小平、江泽民等百余位党和国家领导人光临镜泊湖检查指导工作，叶剑英曾给予“山上平湖水上山，北国风光胜江南”的赞誉。1983年邓小平亲临镜泊湖视察，亲笔题写了“镜泊胜景”四个大字。

镜泊湖形成大约距今一万年前，是第四纪晚期火山爆发，玄武岩浆堵塞牡丹江河道而形成的火山熔岩堰塞湖泊。湖区总面积90.3平方千米，湖深平均为40米，最深处达62米，湖身纵长50千米，最宽处9千米，最窄处枯水期也有300米，是我国最大的堰塞湖。因其湖面波平如镜，所以称其为镜泊湖。全湖分为北湖、中湖、南湖和上湖四个湖区。湖岸多港湾，湖中大小岛屿星罗棋布，吊水楼瀑布、珍珠门、大孤山、小孤山、白石砬子、城墙砬子、道士山和老鸹砬子是镜泊湖中著名的八大景观。在八大景观中，吊水楼瀑布最为著名，是我国三大瀑布之一。平常情况下瀑宽40余米，落差为12米。雨季或汛期，瀑布呈现两股或数股叠落，总宽可达200余米。冬季枯水期，环潭的黑石壁，又是一个天然的回音壁。

关于吊水楼瀑布，还有一个古老的传说。传说很久以前，在瀑布的水帘后面藏着一位聪明美丽的红罗女，深受远近青年人的爱慕。但她声言无论是谁向她求爱，都必须回答“什么是人间最宝贵的”这样一个问题。消息传开后每日来向她求婚的人络绎不绝。其中有勇士、书生、商人甚至国王。勇士说人间最宝贵的是武力，书生说人间最宝贵的是诗书，商人说人间最宝贵的是金钱，而国王却回答说人间最宝贵的是权势。这些回答，红罗女都不满意。于是勇士含羞而去，书生羞惭而归，商人倾宝于湖不再提亲，唯有国王厚颜无耻地呆立在吊水楼前苦思冥想不肯离去，最终老死在悬崖上，葬身于乌鸦腹中。

白石砬子是一座白石层叠、错落有致的白崖岛，由三座白石峰组成。由于岛上堆积大量的白色鱼鹰粪便，因此得名。平时白石砬子和邻近的湖岸相接，当湖水上涨时，岛与岸便被分开，因此也叫它白崖岛。大孤山是一座湖中岛屿，高出水面约150米，它状似一头水牛横卧湖上，埋头饮水，生机盎然。每当春暖花开时节，大孤山上开满了杏花、李花、玫瑰花和兴安杜鹃花等五颜六色的野花，绚丽多彩，因此，大孤山岛也可以称得上是镜泊湖的“花山”。

抗日战争时期，周保中将军率领的抗日联军曾在此地建立过根据地。小孤山位于中湖区的湖中岛，高出水面19米，小巧玲珑。山形似雄狮，斜卧湖心，崖岸陡峭，孤悬湖面。岛上植被茂密，岛的石壁上长着一种被称为“石花”的苔藓类植物，冬夏常青，游人多采集置于鱼缸中，留作纪念。珍珠门位于中湖南端最狭窄之外，因两个高出水面仅15米的小岛分立左右，相距只有10米，远望宛若珍珠对峙湖中，仿佛一道天然门户，故称珍珠门，传说是由红罗女将富商求婚的珍珠抛于湖中形成的。道士山位于镜泊湖的南部。过了珍珠门，遥望湖之西岸，有一高大的山峦兀立湖中，这就是湖中岛屿道士山。岛上古木参天，寂静幽深，三清庙建于清朝咸丰年间，有一位道士在此修炼成仙，此岛便被称为道士山。传说三清庙里曾有口“九龙探母”的大铁钟，钟声宏亮，声振大湖，回声经久不绝。老鸹砬子位于镜泊湖南部，为湖中岛屿，因状如一只老鸹静卧而得名。岛上树高林密，树杈上老鸹巢穴星罗棋布。附近水域里还有鹭鸶、水鸡、鸳鸯等水禽，所以此地又是水鸟的乐园。

熔岩隧道位于镜泊湖西北35千米，是国内外罕见的熔岩隧道地质景观。“熔岩隧道”是由于距今4000～8000年前的一次火山喷发时形成的。已发现的熔岩隧道短的几十米，长的达500米以上。隧道顶部密布下垂欲滴的熔岩乳。各种奇幻形成，犹如人工雕琢，图案精美，分布井然有序。隧道中还可见到直立的石柱以及天然的石床、石阶等。地下森林位于熔岩隧道西北13千米，因原始森林长在火山口里，从上部望去，就像长在地下的森林，因此也被称为“地下森林”，也称火山口森林。这些火山口森林坐落在张广才岭的深山区，有10处火山口，均海拔1000米以上，里面长满了林木。这些火山口直径在400～550米之间，深在100～200米之间。其中以3号火山口为最大，直径达550米，深达200米。游人站在火山口顶向下望去，火山口陡峭的内壁上，林木郁郁葱葱，有红松、黄花落叶松、紫椴、水曲柳、黄菠萝等名贵木材;有人参、黄芪、三七、五味子等名贵药材。游人拾级而下至火山口底，还可观赏到下面“暗藏”着的火山熔洞，洞内酷夏有薄冰，严冬有清泉，十分奇特。

镜泊湖不仅风景宜人，而且物产丰富。镜泊湖水域辽阔，水质肥沃，为鱼类的繁殖提供了有利条件，湖中除湖鲫驰名中外，还盛产鲤鱼、红尾、鳌花、大白鱼等，多达40余种。冬季冰上捕捞，每网都在5000公斤以上。景区林中盛产葡萄、棘梅果、山桃、松子、元枣、元蘑、冬蘑、青蘑、榛蘑及珍贵的猴头蘑、木耳等，药用植物有山参、黄芪、沙参、手掌参、细辛和天麻等。此外，湖区还是一座天然的动物园，野生动物及鸟类不下200余种。湖区建有养鹿、养貂、养蜂和人参栽培场，盛产鹿茸、鹿胎、貂皮等名贵产品。游览镜泊湖的一个重要节目就是吃一顿鱼餐。镜泊湖水产丰富，“湖鲫”体大肥胖，一条可达两三斤，肉质细嫩味鲜，用以烹制鱼汤或红烧，异常鲜美，过去曾被作为皇室的贡品，到当地旅游不可不尝。

在镜泊湖的岸边曾经存在过一个被称为“海东盛国”的渤海国。渤海国是我国唐朝时期由靺鞨人于698年建立的地方民族政权，初称“震国”，公元713年被唐册封为“渤海国”;公元926年被辽所灭，传国十五世，历229年。渤海全盛时期，其疆域北至黑龙江中下游两岸和库页岛。这里留下了许多渤海国时期的遗址，最著名的就是当时作为渤海国首都的上京城遗址，全仿唐城市规划而建。城墙砬子山城遗址位于宁安市镜泊湖中部西岸山顶，是渤海国时期的山城遗址，为镜泊湖八大景观之一。

镜泊湖的旅游行程虽然结束了，相信镜泊美景将会永远铭刻在各位的心中。各位来到镜泊湖风景名胜区，美景赏不完，美餐吃不够，特产带不尽，欢迎再次到镜泊湖来旅游。