Qionghai Lake sits immediately east of the city and defines Xichang's outdoor character more than any other feature. The 40-kilometre cycling route along its shores is flat, well-maintained, and one of the better urban cycling circuits in Sichuan — passing through wetland sections, small fishing villages, and the Dashiban ancient village area, with mountain views across the water throughout.
The wetland park on the northwestern shore has boardwalks through reed beds and viewing platforms over the water. Bird populations include resident species and winter migrants, and the park is particularly rich in waterfowl between October and March. The lake's surface is large enough to feel genuinely expansive rather than merely ornamental, and on clear days the reflection of Lushan Mountain in the water provides the classical Chinese landscape painting composition that the lake's popularity with painters suggests is not accidental.