Yansai Lake (Yansaihu)

About

Yansai Lake sits in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, about 3.5 km northwest of the old Shanhaiguan fortress town. Formed in 1974 when a dam was built across the Shi River, it became the first man-made lake at the eastern end of the Great Wall; the river once served as the fortress's natural defensive barrier and was the site of historical battles from the Sui-Tang era through the 1933 Great Wall resistance against Japan. Known as the "Guilin of the North" for its green hills and clear water, the lake offers boat cruises past unusual rock formations and a bird park with over 100 species. It is especially popular in autumn for colorful foliage.

Highlights

• Lake boat cruise
• Bird park with rare species
• Scenic rock formations
• Autumn foliage views
• First man-made lake by the Great Wall
• Historic Shi River battlefield site

Getting there

By train & bus

Tourist shuttle line 3 runs directly to Yansai Lake from Shanhaiguan Old Town/Shanhaiguan Station; confirm the departure point and schedule on site or online.

By car

About a 20-minute drive or taxi ride from Shanhaiguan Old Town (roughly 3.5 km).

Open in Google MapsOpen in Amap (works in China)

Address 河北省秦皇岛市山海关区石河水库(山海关城西北约3.5公里处)
Show the Chinese address to your driver.

Before you go

• Confirm whether the boat ticket needs to be purchased separately before boarding.
• Autumn (around September-October) has the most vivid foliage and is the best time for photos and scenery.
• The lake area is fairly large, so allow 2-3 hours for the visit.
• The bird sanctuary (Niaoyulin) is a good stop for families with young children.
• Admission and hours change with the season, so check official channels or a travel platform for the current information before you go.
• It pairs well with Shanhaiguan Old Town on the same day, since the drive is short.

Tickets Sources disagree: some list admission at ¥90 per person, others put it from ¥50 or a group-buy price of ¥45, and we could not confirm a consistent answer on whether boat rides are included. Whether the boat ticket is bundled with admission, and discounts for seniors, children, or students, could not be confirmed — check the current price and whether the boat ride is separate through Ctrip, Meituan, or the site's official channels before buying.

Hours Peak season (roughly May-October) 08:00-17:00; off-season hours may be shorter, and sources differ on opening at 08:00 or 08:30, so check the official channels or a travel platform for the current schedule.

Frequently asked

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