Tangjiashan Lake
Lake Landslide-dammed lake formed after 2008 Sichuan earthquake
A barrier lake created by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, Tangjiashan drew international engineering work to prevent catastrophic flooding; the site is visited on quake‑zone tours.
Tangjiashan Lake is a landslide-dammed lake in Sichuan province, China, formed after the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake when slope failures on Tangjiashan Mountain blocked a river valley. The sudden impoundment attracted major emergency response because of the volume of water behind the natural dam and the danger of catastrophic downstream flooding.
The blocked valley held large quantities of water in the weeks after the earthquake, prompting large-scale engineering works to create spillways and tunnels to release the water safely. Those emergency works in June 2008 prevented an uncontrolled breach that would have threatened towns and infrastructure downstream.
The lake sits in mountainous terrain near Beichuan County in northern Sichuan, within the earthquake-affected region northwest of the provincial capital Chengdu.
- Origin: Formed suddenly after the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan (Sichuan) earthquake when a landslide dammed a mountain river, creating an impounded lake that posed a major downstream flood risk.
- Emergency drainage: Emergency engineering works in June 2008 - including controlled blasting and construction of drainage channels and tunnels - were used to lower water levels and reduce the risk to downstream communities.
How to Get to Tangjiashan Lake #
Tangjiashan Lake is in Mianyang/Beichuan area of Sichuan. Access is by road from Chengdu (several hours’ drive) or from Mianyang; check local travel advisories and routes, as roads can be affected by past seismic events.
Tips for Visiting Tangjiashan Lake #
- If planning to visit the Tangjiashan dammed lake area, check local safety advisories-some parts remain restricted or monitored due to landslide risk.
- Visit the nearby town of Beichuan for context on the 2008 earthquake and the emergency response that followed.
- Bring a map and a local guide; roads were heavily affected by the 2008 disaster and conditions can vary.
Best Time to Visit Tangjiashan Lake #
The most practical months are late spring through autumn; always check local advisories due to past seismic activity and landscape instability.
Weather & Climate near Tangjiashan Lake #
Tangjiashan Lake's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (901 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Almost no rain and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Almost no rain and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (219 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (197 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and mostly overcast skies.
