The Lion City Under the Lake
Under a Chinese reservoir lies a whole ancient city, its carved gates and walls still standing in the dark water.
What was reported
Shicheng, 'Lion City', was founded more than 1,300 years ago near the foot of Five Lion Mountain in Zhejiang province. In 1959 the Xin'an River was dammed for a hydroelectric power station, its people were moved, and the city was flooded to create Qiandao Lake.
It was largely forgotten until 2001, when divers were sent down to look. They found the city 26 to 40 metres below the surface, remarkably well preserved, with stone gates, carved lions and dragons, and wooden beams.
Explanations offered
Cold, still, dark water slowed decay and protected the carvings. Diving visits have occasionally been allowed, and there have been plans to study and protect the city further.
- When
- Flooded in 1959
- Where
- Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang, China
- Witnesses
- Divers who returned to it in 2001
- Status
- Confirmed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.