Tiantangzhai Scenic Area is located at the junction of Jinzhai County, Lu'an City, Anhui Province and Luotian County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, covering a total area of 120 square kilometers with its main part situated in Jinzhai County, Anhui. As a National Nature Reserve, National Forest Park, and National Geopark, it was rated as a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction in 2012. Centered on Tiantangzhai (1,729.13 meters above sea level), the main peak of the Dabie Mountains, the scenic area integrates natural landscapes such as mountains, canyons, waterfalls, and lakes. With a forest coverage rate of 96.5% and a maximum negative oxygen ion concentration of 200,000 per cubic centimeter, it is hailed as "the last primeval forest in East China." There are 108 waterfalls of various sizes in the scenic area, including 18 with a drop of more than 50 meters, featuring geological wonders like Baima Grand Canyon and Longjian Peak, as well as pictographic rock landscapes such as Zhe Ren Peak (Philosopher Peak) and Tianping Peak.
History and Culture
Formerly known as "Duoyun Mountain" (Cloudy Mountain) due to the frequent clouds and mist surrounding its summit, Tiantangzhai has a history dating back to the Spring and Autumn Period, serving as the boundary between the Wu and Chu states and earning the title "the First Pass in the Southeast of Wu and Chu." At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Shouhui launched an uprising here and established the Tianwan Regime, with the remaining stone carvings of "Emperor of Tianwan" still preserved. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tiantangzhai was an important military pass. During the Taiping Rebellion, the Taiping Army and the Qing Army fought numerous fierce battles here, leaving behind many ancient battlefield sites.
Since modern times, Tiantangzhai has been an important part of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Revolutionary Base Area. The Liu-Deng Army led by Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping once fought here, and red relics such as the Red Army Hospital and the former site of the Soviet Government are still intact. The "Red Army Village" in the scenic area preserves a large number of buildings and historical relics from the revolutionary period, serving as a patriotic education base.
The folk culture of Tiantangzhai is centered on the agricultural culture of the Dabie Mountains. Local traditions such as folk song duets, shadow puppetry, dragon and lion dances are well-preserved, and characteristic festivals include the "Mountain Opening Festival" and "Torch Festival," demonstrating the life wisdom and cultural heritage of mountain residents.
Major Attractions
Tiantangzhai Main Peak
As the main peak of the Dabie Mountains, it stands 1,729.13 meters above sea level and serves as the watershed between the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of Anhui and Hubei provinces, and the outline of the Wuhan Metropolitan Area can be seen on clear days. There is a stone tablet inscribed with "Boundary of Wu and Chu" at the summit, which is said to be the boundary between the Wu and Chu states during the Spring and Autumn Period. The existing tablet was reconstructed in 1998.
Baima Grand Canyon
Stretching for about 6 kilometers with a drop of 260 meters, the canyon is famous for its "strange rocks, perilous peaks, and beautiful waters." Scenic spots in the canyon include "Natural City Wall," "Nine Dragons Linked Pools," and "Dragon Gate Jump." Among them, "Nine Dragons Linked Pools" consists of nine connected deep pools with crystal-clear water. The steep cliffs on both sides of the canyon and dense vegetation make it an ideal place for hiking and adventure.
Waterfall Group
It includes major waterfalls such as Jiuying Waterfall, Lover's Waterfall, and Xieyu Waterfall (Jade-Scattering Waterfall). Jiuying Waterfall, with a drop of 71 meters and a width of 8 meters, presents a magnificent scene of "a silver river falling from the nine heavens" as water cascades down the cliff. Lover's Waterfall, with a drop of 44 meters, splits into two streams, resembling a couple embracing. Xieyu Waterfall, with a drop of 62 meters, sprays jade-like water droplets when the current hits the rocks.
Longjian Peak (Dragon Sword Peak)
Named for its mountain shape resembling an unsheathed sword, it stands over 1,500 meters above sea level. Along the way, there are pictographic rock landscapes such as "Leipi Stone" (Thunder-Split Stone), "Tortoise and Hare Race," and "Dreaming Brush Producing Flowers." The summit offers a spectacular view of sea of clouds and sunrise, making it a popular check-in spot for photographers.
Zhe Ren Peak (Philosopher Peak)
At an altitude of 1,590 meters, the rock mass has weathered into a shape resembling a philosopher's head with clear facial features, as if contemplating and looking into the distance. Below the peak lies "Tianwen Platform" (Heavenly Question Platform), where climbing up allows visitors to experience the magnificent artistic conception of "contemplating the boundlessness of heaven and earth."
Yanzihu Grand Canyon
Located about 15 kilometers from the main scenic area of Tiantangzhai, the 4.5-kilometer-long canyon is famous for its "Four Wonders" (strange pits, strange willows, strange waterfalls, strange caves) and "Five Interests" (interesting rocks, interesting pools, interesting beaches, interesting valleys, interesting gorges). Scenic spots in the canyon include "Jiutian Immortal Waterfall," "Tiankeng" (Heavenly Pit), and "Millennium Strange Willow." Among them, the "Tiankeng" is 280 meters deep, 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 inscribed with four characters "Liaoyuan Xinghuo" (Prairie Fire), serving as an important place to cherish the memory of revolutionary martyrs.
Recommended Itineraries
One-Day Tour: Take the shuttle bus from the Visitor Center to the entrance of Baima Grand Canyon, hike for about 2.5 hours to explore the canyon scenery, return to the transfer point and head to the Waterfall Group Scenic Area to visit Jiuying Waterfall, Lover's Waterfall, and Xieyu Waterfall in sequence. Then take the cable car (one-way 70 yuan, round-trip 130 yuan) or hike to Longjian Peak and Zhe Ren Peak, and return via the same route after reaching the top of Tiantangzhai Main Peak. The total duration is about 6-7 hours.
Two-Day Tour: On the first day, visit Baima Grand Canyon and the Waterfall Group, and stay in Tiantangzhai Town to experience the local specialty "Diaoguo" (Hanging Pot) cuisine. On the second day, take the shuttle bus to the Main Peak Scenic Area, hike or take the cable car to the summit, then head to Yanzihu Grand Canyon in the afternoon (about 30 minutes by car) to visit scenic spots such as Tiankeng and Jiutian Immortal Waterfall, and return in the evening.
Travel Tips
- Wear non-slip hiking shoes. The Main Peak Scenic Area has many steps, and some sections are steep; hiking to the top takes about 2.5 hours.
- Bring sun protection and rain gear in summer as the mountain weather is changeable; prepare warm clothes in winter as the temperature at the summit is 5-8℃ lower than at the foot of the mountain.
- Visitors with limited physical strength can choose to take the cable car to the main peak (one-way 70 yuan) to save time and energy.
- When tasting "Diaoguo," it is recommended to choose regular restaurants with an average consumption of 50-80 yuan per person, which can be paired with wild vegetables and Jinzhai black pork.
- If photographing waterfalls, it is advisable to bring a tripod; the light is softer in the early morning or evening, resulting in better photos.
- For an in-depth tour, arrange 2-3 days 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; designated smoking areas are available.
- The area around waterfalls is slippery; please pay attention to your steps and do not approach the cliff edges.
- Unauthorized entry into undeveloped areas is strictly prohibited to avoid getting lost or encountering wild animals (such as wild boars and monkeys in the scenic area).
- The last shuttle bus departs at 17:00; please arrange your visiting time reasonably to avoid missing the bus.
- Buy local specialties at regular stores near the Visitor Center instead of random roadside stalls.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in the mountains; it is recommended to travel in groups and inform your family of your itinerary in advance.
- Do not stay on the summit or under trees during thunderstorms; take shelter in safe areas immediately.
Transportation
- By Air: The nearest airport is Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, about 280 kilometers from Tiantangzhai. Take the airport shuttle bus to Jinzhai County (2 trips per day, 3.5 hours), then transfer to the bus to Tiantangzhai (5 trips per day, 1.5 hours).
- By Train: Take the train to Jinzhai Railway Station, then take the tourist shuttle 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, take Shanghai-Shanxi Expressway and Ji'nan-Guangzhou Expressway, about 3.5 hours; from Wuhan, take Wuhan-Yingshan Expressway and Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway, about 2.5 hours; from Nanjing, take Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway and Ji'nan-Guangzhou Expressway, about 4.5 hours. Parking fee in the scenic area is 15 yuan per day.
- By Coach: Long-distance buses to Tiantangzhai are available from Hefei Tourism Bus Station, Wuhan Fujiapo Passenger Station, and Lu'an South Bus Station. Buses from Hefei to Tiantangzhai operate from 6:30 to 14:30 daily, 4 hours, fare 80 yuan.
Opening Hours
Daily 7:30-17:30 (last entry at 16:00); extended to 18:00 in summer (June-August). The Waterfall Group Scenic Area may be temporarily closed due to icing in winter.
Tickets
Ticket price: 128 yuan per person.
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Online Booking
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