The Poyang Lake is located in the north of Jiangxi Province to the south of the Yangtze River, it is regarded as the largest freshwater lake in China, covering an area of 2,933 square kilometers. The lake depends on surface runoffs and rainfalls for water supply. Rivers flowing into the lake include the Ganjiang River, Fuhe River, Xinjiang River, Raohe River, Xiushui River, etc.
As a famous scenic area, the Poyang Lake has numerous sights such as the Fallen-Star Boulder and the Big Solitary Hill in the lake and Zhouyu Dianjiang Platform (the platform for Zhouyu, a famous senior official in the Three Kingdoms Period, to name his soldiers for particular posts) and Lake for Viewing Pavilion along the bank. At present, tourists can visit all the separate sights by boating along a special tour route.
Looking out over the vastness of Poyang Lake, with its blue waves that stretch to the horizon, is much like standing on the shore and looking out over an ocean. On days when the sun shines and the sky is a clear blue, the sky and the water of the lake seem to meet on the horizon. Sailboats on the lake dart back and forth, appearing to joust with the billowing clouds. Rafts float along one after another like a big moving dragon. Poyang Lake is rich in aquatic plants, which create a hospitable environment for many rare species of freshwater fish. In addition, many kinds of rare birds are attracted to the lake, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.
The Poyang Lake is also a migratory birds conservation area with a reputation of Kingdom of Rare Birds. Every year, from October to March of the next year is the low-water season of the Poyang Lake. During this period, masses of lake shoals and wetlands appear in the area and various fish and shrimps breed in a large quantity, attracting numerous migratory birds. The lake becomes a paradise for these birds, which are famous for their large number, living-time through the winter and rare species in the world. Several viewing spots are set up in the migratory birds conservation area for visitors to enjoy this great spectacle.