HuluTao

HuluTao

HuluTao

On a radiant autumn day glowing with honeyed hues, I arrived at HuluTao Village, located 7.5 kilometers southeast of Badagou Town in Changbai County. Approaching the village, I saw verdant mountains all around, wisps of cooking smoke curling from rooftops, and the sounds of insects, birdsong, and cattle lowing across green fields—such a serene delight that I almost believed I had stepped into a fairyland... Legend has it that long ago, there was a wealthy and greedy grain merchant named Chen in this village who exploited the locals, but was eventually eliminated by a girl named Hulu. The villagers were immensely grateful. To honor her kindness, every household planted gourds along the riverbanks. The gourds grown here became famously large and sturdy, and so the village came to be known as “HuluTao.”

Spanning over a hundred hectares, HuluTao is home to 132 households. The village is neatly arranged, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, stretching like a ribbon along the banks of the Yalu River, facing the North Korean village of “Moligou” on the opposite shore. With its picturesque landscape and idyllic scenery, the misty panorama resembles a celestial realm, truly: “The five-li river beach shines like a mirror, the landscape gathers in uniquely tranquil beauty.”

At dawn, we stepped onto the dew-kissed riverbank just as the first light of morning emerged. The sky blazed with crimson dawn clouds, the mountain peaks were draped in magnificent morning hues, and even the drifting clouds on the horizon were edged with golden-purple lace, like lotus flowers floating in the blue sky. As the sun rose, seas of clouds and mist surged in waves. The vast expanse of mist, like smoke and silk threads, clung lovingly to the forests and flowers, while emerald cliffs veiled in fog contrasted with clusters of red maples glowing crimson. From time to time, the melodious cries of cuckoos echoed through the valleys. Gazing at the riverbanks, the grass was soft and sprawling, the water as smooth as glass, and mist drifted lazily above the surface, appearing and disappearing with the breeze. The mist, in drifting clusters tinged with pale red, wafted with a rich, fragrant aroma. The faintly lit fields donned a gentle morning attire. Flocks of egrets and wild ducks flapped their silver wings leisurely, soaring through the purplish morning mist and landing on the river’s surface. The jade-green Yalu River shimmered with ripples, winding westward like a tamed dragon. Witnessing this spectacular, magical beauty filled me with boundless joy, as if an ink-wash painting had suddenly unfurled before my eyes. It reminded me of the ancient verse: “The east wind blows through ten thousand homes shrouded in mist, the water and mountains blend into the sky.”

A gentle breeze caressed the river’s winding banks, where velvety green lawns dotted with unnamed, vibrant flowers wove a colorful carpet. Purple shadows and hidden greens stretched endlessly across valleys and gullies, forming yet another breathtaking scene along the river. Scenic wonders such as Sister Peaks, Golden Horse Peak, Dragon Head Peak, Candlestand Peak, East Big Slope, Sandwich, Twin Peaks, and Rear Banks line both sides of the river, each carrying romantic legends.

Pebbles glimmered under the sunlight. Countless jagged, solitary rocks were scattered across the river, and the rushing waters swirled around the protruding stones, carrying them downstream. The glistening river murmured softly, creating an echo-like resonance in the valley. Fish floated and darted leisurely. This is the famed “Old Turtle’s Nest.” Legend says a thousand-year-old turtle, as big as a wok lid, lives deep in the riverbed. Whenever floods strike, the magical turtle swims ashore to help the villagers. These enchanting tales add even more charm to this beautiful mountain village.

Drifting downstream along the riverbed, the air carried the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds. Frost-tinted reeds lined the riverbanks in vibrant, winding rows, a stunning sight. On the river, people paddled leisurely, casting nets to catch fish; along the shores, others relaxed, fishing in peace. Along the emerald-green river embankment, willows veiled in mist formed a tapestry of a hundred homes. The graceful willows swayed in the wind like a green silk ribbon dancing along the mirror-flat banks, their forms shifting and enchanting. One couldn’t help but sigh: “Birdsong echoes through secluded mountains and endless waters, lotuses and willows drunk on autumn mist.”

Passing through the scenic riverside, you arrive at the lotus-filled paradise of the Lotus Pond. There, crystal-clear waters teem with lush algae, and plump, pink lotus blossoms peek out from emerald leaves, as if a group of graceful fairies ready to dance, letting you admire the delicate beauty of these “waterborne celestials.” The tightly closed buds and the charming purity of the blossoms instantly bring to mind the lines: “Boundless lotus leaves stretch to the sky, lotus flowers glow red under the sun.” The pond is surrounded by blooming plants, fields like brocades, and the fragrance of ripening rice. Golden ears of rice, tasseled corn, soybeans shaking golden bells, and sorghum blushing in the sun create a symphony of harvest. Scattered across the fields are weeping willows, their branches swaying gracefully. Beyond the farmland lie scattered pear trees, their sweet fragrance wafting through the air. Gazing upon the mountains of peach and plum blossoms, the sea of green and gold, and the breathtaking scenery, one is overwhelmed by the feeling that “such beauty is hard to capture in paintings or poems.” I was utterly enchanted by this indescribably gorgeous view...

It’s as if the scenery unfolds before your eyes, and you are walking inside a painting. Around the bonfire, we sang and danced with abandon. The blazing fire not only warmed the earth but also kindled the fiery hearts of the people. The intense flames reflected on the water, bursting with colorful brilliance, creating a mesmerizing play of light on the vast, azure surface. The beautiful bonfire wove a magnificent spectacle.

The moving music brought you closer to a journey of sound. Truly:

The moon rises above the river,

Dazzling and enchanting.

Amidst the Changbai Mountains and waters,

The scenery blooms like a tide of flowers.

The picturesque and poetic HuluTao holds a charm too profound to fully grasp, its beauty too exquisite to fully capture in words.