Tiantangzhai Scenic Area is located at the border of Jinzhai County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province and Luotian County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, with a total area of 120 square kilometers, mainly in Jinzhai County, Anhui. It is a national nature reserve, national forest park, national geopark, and was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2012. With the main peak of the Dabie Mountains, Tiantangzhai (altitude 1,729.13 meters), the scenic area integrates natural landscapes such as mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and lakes, with a forest coverage rate of 96.5%. The negative ion concentration reaches up to 200,000 per cubic centimeter, known as the "Last Primeval Forest in East China". There are 108 waterfalls of different sizes in the scenic area, including 18 with a drop of more than 50 meters, featuring geological wonders such as Baima Grand Canyon and Longjian Peak, as well as pictographic rock landscapes like Zheren Peak and Tianping Peak.
History and Culture
Tiantangzhai was formerly known as "Duoyun Mountain" due to constant cloud mist around the peak, with a history dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period as the boundary between the Wu and Chu states, known as the "First Pass of Southeast Wu and Chu". During the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, Xu Shouhui rebelled here, establishing the Tianwan regime, with existing stone inscriptions of the "Tianwan Emperor" remaining.
In modern times, Tiantangzhai was an important part of the E-Yu-Wan Revolutionary Base Area. The Liu-Deng Army led by Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping fought here, with existing red relics such as the Red Army Hospital and the former site of the Soviet government. The "Red Army Village" in the scenic area preserves many revolutionary-era buildings and historical relics, serving as a patriotic education base.
The folk culture of Tiantangzhai centers on the farming culture of the Dabie Mountains, retaining traditional customs such as folk song duets, shadow puppetry, dragon and lion dances. Featured festivals include the "Mountain Opening Festival" and "Torch Festival", demonstrating the life wisdom and cultural heritage of mountain residents.
Main Attractions
Main Peak of Tiantangzhai
At an altitude of 1,729.13 meters, it is the main peak of the Dabie Mountains and the dividing line between the Yangtze River and Huaihe River. Climbing the peak offers a panoramic view of the scenery of Anhui and Hubei provinces, with the outline of Wuhan's urban circle visible on clear days. There is a "Wu-Chu Boundary" stone tablet at the peak, said to be where the boundary was drawn between Wu and Chu in the Spring and Autumn Period, with the existing tablet rebuilt in 1998.
Baima Grand Canyon
About 6 kilometers long with a canyon drop of 260 meters, it is known for "unique rocks, dangerous peaks, and beautiful waters". The valley features landscapes like the "Natural City Wall", "Nine Dragons Linked Pools", and "Dragon Gate Jump", among which the "Nine Dragons Linked Pools" consist of nine connected deep pools with crystal-clear water. The steep rock walls and dense vegetation on both sides make it an ideal place for hiking and exploration.
Waterfall Group
Includes main waterfalls such as Jiuying Waterfall, Lover's Waterfall, and Xieyu Waterfall. Jiuying Waterfall drops 71 meters with a width of 8 meters, forming a spectacular scene of "silver river falling from the sky"; Lover's Waterfall drops 44 meters, with water divided into two streams like embracing lovers; Xieyu Waterfall drops 62 meters, with water crashing against rocks to splash jade-like spray.
Longjian Peak
Named for its mountain shape resembling a drawn sword, at an altitude of over 1,500 meters. Along the way are pictographic rock landscapes like "Thunder-Struck Stone", "Tortoise and Hare Race", and "Flower in a Dream Pen", with the peak offering sea of clouds and sunrise views, a popular spot for photographers.
Zheren Peak
At an altitude of 1,590 meters, weathered rock forms a shape highly similar to a philosopher's head with clear facial features, as if contemplating and gazing into the distance. Below the peak is the "Tianwen Platform", where one can feel the grand artistic conception of "mourning the vastness of heaven and earth".
Yanzihe Grand Canyon
About 15 kilometers from the main Tiantangzhai scenic area, the canyon is about 4.5 kilometers long, famous for its "Four Wonders" (strange pits, willows, waterfalls, caves) and "Five Fun" (fun rocks, pools, beaches, valleys, gorges). It features landscapes like the "Nine Heavens Immortal Waterfall", "Tiankeng (sinkhole)", and "Thousand-Year-Old Willow", with the "Tiankeng" reaching a depth of 280 meters, a rare geological wonder in East China.
Red Army Square
Located in Tiantangzhai Town, Jinzhai County, it includes buildings such as the Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Tower, Jinzhai County Revolutionary Museum, and Red Army Memorial Hall. The 24-meter-high memorial tower is engraved with the four characters "Liaoyuan Xinghuo (Prairie Fire)", an important place to pay tribute to revolutionary martyrs.
Local Cuisine
Tiantangzhai Hanging Pot
A characteristic Dabie Mountains dish, where ingredients like free-range chicken, black pork, mountain bamboo shoots, and wild mushrooms are placed in an iron pot hung above a fireplace with ropes for stewing. Dating back to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, originally a way for mountain people to cook while keeping warm in winter, it has now become a must-try dish in Tiantangzhai, effective for dispelling cold and dampness.
Jinzhai Chestnuts
Jinzhai County is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Chestnuts". Chestnuts produced in Tiantangzhai are plump, with a sugar content of 20%, rich in vitamin C. The harvest season is from September to October, when local dishes like sugar-fried chestnuts and chestnut braised chicken can be tasted.
Pan-Fried Small River Fish
Selected wild small river fish from Tiantangzhai's streams, about 10 cm long, marinated and fried to golden brown, crispy outside and tender inside, rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids. Served with locally produced chili sauce for better flavor.
Mountain Wild Vegetable Feast
Includes more than 20 types of mountain wild vegetables such as dandelion, purslane, toon, and fern, which can be stir-fried, cold-mixed, or used as stuffing. Among them, "Pearl Vegetable" (also known as red clover) is a unique wild vegetable in Tiantangzhai, with a fresh and tender taste, effective for clearing heat and detoxifying.
Jinzhai Black Pork
Jinzhai black pigs are a national geographical indication product, free-range in mountainous areas with a growth cycle of over 12 months. The meat is firm, fatty but not greasy, commonly cooked as braised pork, sausage, and cured meat. "Air-dried black pork" needs to be pickled and hung in a ventilated place to dry, preservable for more than half a year.
Kudzu Powder
Tiantangzhai abounds in wild kudzu, and processed kudzu powder contains 12% flavonoids, effective for lowering blood pressure and beautifying. When eating, mix with boiling water, and add honey or osmanthus for a delicate and smooth taste.
Luotian Sweet Persimmon
A specialty of adjacent Luotian County, Hubei, the world's only naturally astringent-free sweet persimmon variety, also planted around Tiantangzhai. The fruit is oblate, weighing 100-150 grams per piece, with a sweet and crisp taste after the Frost's Descent, edible directly or made into persimmon cakes.
Tickets
The ticket price is 128 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "安徽天堂寨风景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Daily from 7:30 to 17:30 (entry stops at 16:00), extended to 18:00 in summer (June to August). The waterfall group scenic area may be temporarily closed due to ice in winter.
Tour Routes
One-day tour recommendation: Take a shuttle bus from the visitor center to the entrance of Baima Grand Canyon, hike for about 2.5 hours to tour the canyon, return to the transfer point to visit the waterfall group, successively view Jiuying, Lover's, and Xieyu Waterfalls, then take a cable car (one-way 70 yuan, round-trip 130 yuan) or hike to Longjian and Zheren Peaks, and return after climbing the main peak of Tiantangzhai, totaling about 6-7 hours.
Two-day tour recommendation: Tour Baima Grand Canyon and the waterfall group on the first day, stay overnight in Tiantangzhai Town to experience hanging pot cuisine; take a shuttle bus to the main peak scenic area on the second day, hike or take a cable car to the peak, go to Yanzihe Grand Canyon in the afternoon (30-minute drive), tour landscapes like Tiankeng and Nine Heavens Immortal Waterfall, and return in the evening.
Transportation
- By air: The nearest airport is Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, about 280 kilometers from Tiantangzhai. Take a bus from the airport to Jinzhai County (2 trips daily, 3.5 hours), then transfer to a bus to Tiantangzhai (5 trips daily, 1.5 hours).
- By train: Take the train to Jinzhai Station, then take a tourist bus directly to Tiantangzhai (departures at 8:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 daily, 1.5 hours, fare 30 yuan).
- By car: From Hefei, via Hushi Expressway and Jiguang Expressway, about 3.5 hours; from Wuhan, via Wuying Expressway and Hu'e Expressway, about 2.5 hours; from Nanjing, via Huhang Expressway and Jiguang Expressway, about 4.5 hours. Parking fee at the scenic area is 15 yuan per day.
- By bus: Hefei Tourist Bus Station, Wuhan Fujiapo Bus Station, and Lu'an South Bus Station all have long-distance buses to Tiantangzhai. Hefei to Tiantangzhai departs from 6:30 to 14:30 daily, 4 hours, fare 80 yuan.
Must-visit Attractions
- Main Peak of Tiantangzhai: The summit of the Dabie Mountains, offering a view of two provinces, check in at the "Wu-Chu Boundary" stone tablet, altitude 1,729.13 meters.
- Baima Grand Canyon: 6-kilometer original ecology canyon, view "Nine Dragons Linked Pools" unique rocks, experience hiking, canyon drop 260 meters.
- Jiuying Waterfall: The first waterfall of Tiantangzhai with a drop of 71 meters, water like a silver chain, best shooting time 9-10 a.m.
- Zheren Peak: Naturally formed giant stone figure, altitude 1,590 meters, Tianwen Platform below is an excellent spot for sea of clouds.
- Red Army Square: Pay tribute to revolutionary martyrs, visit Jinzhai Revolutionary Museum, free entry, recommended visit time 1 hour.
Tour Tips
- Wear non-slip hiking shoes. The main peak area has many steps, and some sections are steep; hiking to the top takes about 2.5 hours.
- Bring sunscreen and a raincoat in summer as mountain weather is changeable; prepare warm clothes in winter, with temperatures 5-8℃ lower at the peak than at the foot.
- Those with weak physical strength can take a cable car to the main peak (one-way 70 yuan) to save time and energy.
- Choose regular restaurants when tasting hanging pots, with a per capita consumption of 50-80 yuan, and pair with mountain wild vegetables and Jinzhai black pork.
- Bring a tripod if shooting waterfalls for better pictures in soft morning or evening light.
- Arrange 2-3 days for in-depth tours to balance natural landscapes and red culture, and experience Dabie Mountains homestays and folk activities.
Notes
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area to prevent forest fires, with designated smoking areas available.
- Areas around waterfalls are slippery; mind your step and avoid the cliff edges.
- Do not enter undeveloped areas to avoid getting lost or encountering wild animals (wild boars, monkeys, etc., live in the area).
- The last shuttle bus departs at 17:00; plan your tour time reasonably to avoid missing it.
- Purchase specialties from regular stores near the visitor center, not random roadside stalls.
- Mobile signals are weak in mountainous areas; it is recommended to travel in groups and inform family of your itinerary in advance.
- Avoid staying at the peak or under trees during thunderstorms; seek safe areas promptly.