China lays claim to its own Nessie
ABC ONLINE 31/7/2002
Hundreds of sightseers visiting have reported spotting a black monster with a horse-like
head in a deep volcanic lake near China's border with North Korea.
Chinese state media reports, eagerly passed on by local tourism authorities, say the
Chinese "Loch Ness monster" appeared twice recently in Tianchi Lake, in
north-eastern Jilin province.
A Chinese paper has quoted local tourism official Meng Fanying as saying that in the
latest sighting, the creature appeared just 10 metres from the bank, jumping out of the
water from time to time "like a seal".
Rumours that the 373-metre deep lake harbours some sort of monster have been circulating
for more than a century, the paper said.
However, scientists dismiss the reports, saying volcanic eruptions happening as recently
as 300 years ago would make life extremely hazardous for any animal making the lake its
home.
Local monster fans are unfazed by the scepticism and have even started the Tianchi Monster
Society, the paper reported.
The Tianchi monster is not the only "Nessie" said to be living in China.
The marine life of Hanas Lake, in north-western Xinjiang region, reputedly includes a
10-metre long salmon species that attacks both people and cattle.END OF REPORT
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