Thirty-Six Feet Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Fujian, enters the list of Fujian Provincial Important Wetlands. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Pingtan's Thirty-Six Feet Lake nature reserve entered the list of Fujian Provincial Important Wetlands, Fujian provincial Department of Forestry announced at a government news release on April 12.

As the largest natural freshwater lake in the province, Thirty-Six Feet Lake used to be the only source of fresh water for the 300,000 residents of the island city of Pingtan.

The lake has a perimeter of 165 kilometers and occupies an area of 2.1 million square meters. It has a water retention capacity of 1,290 cubic meters with a maximum water depth of 16 meters.

The lake's distinctive name comes from a local folk legend, according to which the Black Dragon and Carp Princess from the East China Sea once went on a tour of the lake and were so amazed at its enchanting views that they conspired to turn the lake into their own private dwelling.