Some 3.5 million years ago, the Himalayas underwent extended geological upheaval. The Xi'er River basin subsided, and the resultant body of water became Erhai Lake. The "er" in "Erhai" means "ear" in Chinese, resulting from its shape resembling a human ear. And the "hai" means "sea." Erhai Lake is home to a native species surviving from a million years ago, Margarya melanioides. It is a unique freshwater snail that is only found in the coldwater lakes in highland Yunnan. Extraordinarily large in size, its shell is marked with rings of raised lines. This characteristic is rarely found in other freshwater snails, which makes it an exaggerated feature.

About 'Journeys in Nature: Southern Yunling Mountains Series'

Cangshan Mountain and the Yuanjiang River Valley in southwest China's Yunnan Province boast rich biodiversity and distinct flora and fauna. From the tree species that emerged about 60 million years ago high on the precipices to the spurge family in the dry-hot river valley savanna, you can meet diverse wildlife in amazing southern Yunling Mountains. 

For more

Southern Yunling Mountains Series Ep. 1: Delavay's firs

Southern Yunling Mountains Series Ep. 2: Can the 'winged' fruits date?

(Cover image a video screenshot; video by CGTN Nature film crew)

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