(Yicai Global) Aug. 23 -- Water levels at China’s largest freshwater lake are so low due to a baking summer and the early arrival of the annual dry season that they have uncovered a striking mudflat in the form of a branching tree and left an ancient stone island standing high and dry.

Poyang Lake in eastern Jiangxi province, which is fed by China’s longest river, the Yangtze River, has contracted to a fifth of its size during high season to just 737 square kilometers, and water levels are now the lowest they have been in the same period of the year since records began in 1951.

Although it is common for water levels in the lake to sink below 10 meters during the dry season, due to a prolonged drought and high temperatures, this year levels have sunk perilously low more than three months early.

On the upside, the receding water line has exposed an unusual natural landscape called ‘The Tree of the Earth’ and an ancient stone island.

Water cuts channels through a mudflat in the shape of a tree.

A trunk, unfurling branches and leaves can be clearly seen carved into the mudbank.

A stone island called Luoxingdun has emerged from the lake. The temples on the island are nearly 1,000 years old.

Luoxingdun Island, which has an area of around 1.8 square kilometers, is now surrounded by lush grassland rather than water.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Kim Taylor