Dajinshan Scenic Area

Dajinshan Scenic Area

Dajinshan Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Dajinshan Scenic Area is located by Dongping Lake, the second largest artificial lake in Nanjing, covering an area of 66 hectares. It is 24 kilometers from Lukou International Airport and 10 kilometers from Lishui County. The area is adjacent to three expressways—Ninghang, Yanjiang, and Ninggao—making it a pearl on the Ninghang Eco-Tourism Belt. Dajinshan Scenic Area is situated by the second largest artificial lake in Nanjing—Dongping Lake, covering an area of 66 hectares, 24 kilometers from Lukou International Airport and 10 kilometers from Lishui County, and flanked by the Ninghang, Yanjiang, and Ninggao expressways, making it a pearl on the Ninghang Eco-Tourism Belt.

With Dajinshan Mountain as its framework, forests as its skin, lakes and ponds as its essence, military culture as its spirit, and religion and folklore as its foundation, the scenic area features a “four parks and one center” layout, including a National Defense Education Park, a Leisure and Sightseeing Park, an Ecological Forest and Orchard Park, a Holiday and Wellness Park, and a Conference Reception Center. It is now a national 3A-level scenic spot, a national patriotic education base, and a national youth outdoor activity base.

Dajinshan Scenic Area welcomes guests from home and abroad with sincere enthusiasm and warm service to admire the lake and mountain views, breathe in the forest oxygen bar, experience military training, taste Pinghu cuisine, participate in folk activities, and pray for blessings and peace.

[Lingxiao Pavilion]

“Heaven’s craftsmanship creates divine beauty; a mighty dragon soars into the azure sky.” Lingxiao Pavilion stands atop Dajinshan Mountain, offering a panoramic view of the vast Dongping Lake and distant views of Donglu Mountain, the source of the Qinhuai River, showcasing the unique scenic charm of the Jiangnan water town.

[Taigong Fishing Platform] The statue of Jiang Taigong is located by Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). Taigong, whose surname was Jiang and given name Shang (also known as Lü Shang), once lived in seclusion by the Wei River in Shaanxi, fishing. The story “Jiang Taigong fishes, but only those who are willing will bite the hook” originates here—he was truly a legendary angler. Later, Jiang Shang assisted King Wen and King Wu of Zhou in overthrowing the Shang Dynasty and establishing the Zhou Dynasty. He himself became the founding ancestor of the Qi State in the Qi region.

[Three Auspicious Treasures] Behind the statue of Jiang Taigong are an 180-year-old wild tea tree, an 80-year-old bayberry tree, and a 50-year-old Sweetdays tree. The tea tree, due to its over-century age, is called the “Longevity Tree”; the bayberry is commonly known as the “Carefree Tree.” The Longevity Tree stands tall and upright, the Carefree Tree is graceful, and the Sweetdays Tree has a unique shape. Being near them brings happiness, peace, and good fortune. They are the Three Auspicious Treasures of Dajinshan and also bring luck to visitors.

[Pure Bottle Guanyin] Pure Bottle Guanyin, also known as “Willow Guanyin,” gets its name from the willow branch in the vase held by the bodhisattva. The willow symbolizes gentleness and represents Guanyin’s compassion in relieving suffering and saving all beings. In China, Buddhists often recite the Great Compassion Mantra of Guanyin, pray for blessed water to cure illnesses, or sprinkle purified water to consecrate sacred spaces, hence the phrase “willow branches and pure water” when invoking the Buddha.

Whenever beings are in distress, as long as they sincerely chant the sacred name of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva will immediately hear their voices and come to their aid. Thus, she is called the “Guanyin Who Saves from Suffering and Calamity.”

[Tingtao Pavilion] Tingtao Pavilion is nestled in a pine forest where visitors can not only hear the rustling of pine waves but also overlook Tianchi, Longchi, and Yuchi. As the saying goes, “The sound of high mountains and flowing water accompanies the boiling tea; the clamor of clashing weapons drifts into dreams.” Here, while sipping tea and relaxing, you can listen to the sounds of flowing water, wind, and waves harmonizing, offering a musical enjoyment akin to high mountains and flowing streams. When the pine waves are especially vigorous, you may even feel a grand, heroic sentiment that seems to swallow the heavens and earth.

[Canglong Pavilion] Legend has it that Emperor Qianlong visited Jiangnan six times and once tasted pastries offered by the abbot of Wuxiang Temple, naming them “Imperial Ribbon Cakes.” At that time, anti-Qing and pro-Ming forces were still strong in the Jiangnan region. While in Lishui, Qianlong was pursued by anti-Qing organizations and only escaped by hiding under a bridge. Later, locals named the bridge “Dodge Dragon Bridge” and built “Canglong Pavilion” to commemorate the event.

[Xunfang Pavilion] “A hundred miles of green hills preserve historic sites through the ages; guests from all directions are intoxicated by the fragrant blooms.” Dajinshan is planted with numerous economic trees. In spring, the area bursts into vibrant colors, ideal for sightseeing and flower appreciation. In autumn, the trees are laden with fruit, filling the orchard with aroma, allowing visitors to pick fruits, enjoy the labor, and taste freshness. Zhu Xi wrote in his poem “Untitled”: “On a fine day, I seek blossoms by the Si River; boundless scenery is freshly renewed. With ease, I recognize the face of the east wind; myriad purples and reds always herald spring.”

[Yan Ziling’s Thatched Cottage] Yan Guang was a renowned recluse in the early Eastern Han Dynasty. In his youth, he studied in the capital with Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu. When Liu Xiu ascended the throne, Yan hid and refused to meet him. The emperor had his portrait drawn and sent soldiers to search for him. Eventually, Yan was found and offered official positions, but he remained unmoved and spent his life in his hometown by the Fuchun River. This noble recluse’s first hiding place was Donglu Mountain in Lishui.

[Zodiac Spirit Stones] In ancient Chinese divination, twelve animals were matched to the twelve Earthly Branches, such as Rat (Zi), Ox (Chou), Tiger (Yin), Rabbit (Mao), Dragon (Chen), Snake (Si), Horse (Wu), Goat (Wei), Monkey (Shen), Rooster (You), Dog (Xu), and Pig (Hai). Each person born in a particular year is associated with the animal of that year’s branch—those born in Zi years are Rats, those in Chou years are Oxen, and so on, collectively known as the “Twelve Zodiac Signs” or “Twelve Animal Signs.”

[Wu Zixu Casts Gold into the Lai Stream] Lishui was anciently called Lai Water. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Wu Zixu, persecuted by the King of Chu, fled to the State of Wu. Passing by the Lai Stream, he was hungry and thirsty. Seeing a young woman washing clothes by the water, he asked her for some of the dry rations in her basket. Moved by his plight, she gave him all her food. After eating, Wu Zixu told her not to let anyone know he had been there. The woman, who lived with her widowed mother and had never spoken to a man, felt this act had overstepped propriety and drowned herself. Deeply moved, Wu Zixu later gained favor with the King of Wu, led armies to defeat Chu, and on his way back, cast a hundred pieces of gold into the Lai Stream in gratitude. Locals called it “Gold-Casting Lai Stream” and built a temple to honor the woman, known as the “Temple of the Chaste and Righteous Lady Shi.” The Tang poet Li Bai wrote, “I hear of a chaste and righteous woman who relieved poverty in Lai Stream Bay.”

[National Defense Education Exhibition Hall] Lishui was one of the anti-Japanese bases in Jiangnan. As early as the late 1930s, leaders of the New Fourth Army, including Chen Yi and Su Yu, followed Mao Zedong’s instructions to advance eastward and establish the Jiangnan Anti-Japanese Base. Leaders like Tan Zhenlin frequently fought on the front lines in Lishui. At the time, Dongping Dajinshan was one of the Japanese strongholds, and Lishui was a contested area among Japanese, puppet, and resistance forces, making the anti-Japanese situation highly complex. To commemorate this history and honor the martyrs, the National Defense Education Exhibition Hall uses photos, sculptures, and artifacts to transport visitors back to those revolutionary wartime years.

[Shooting Practice Area] Amid the shaded mountain paths, elite troops stand ready to strike. Hidden among the green trees, grasslands, and mountain streams are surprises at every turn. Visitors can experience the thrill and joy of military interaction, test their skills with various weapons, and showcase their prowess. The warrior’s blood runs deep, and the passion to defend the homeland surges on the shooting range. Mao Zedong once said: “Graceful figures with rifles five feet long, dawn’s light shines on the training ground. The sons and daughters of China have lofty aspirations—they prefer arms to finery.”

[Emerald Sea Bamboo Grove] Stepping into Dajinshan, your eyes are filled with lush green—pine, cypress, dense forests, and elegant bamboo, as if entering an ocean of green. As the ancients said: “Better to go without meat than live without bamboo.” Bamboo plays an extremely important role in people’s lives. Its slender, graceful stalks stand tall and proud, beautiful in all seasons, unyielding to frost and snow, and deeply loved by the Chinese people. It is one of the “Four Gentlemen”—Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum—and is also grouped with towering pines and red plums as the “Three Friends of Winter.” Ancient people extensively used bamboo for warfare, farming, fishing, hunting, and construction. Before the invention of paper, “bamboo slips” were crucial writing materials for recording history and passing down culture.

[Ginkgo Green Screen] Ginkgo, commonly known as white fruit or grandfather-grandson tree, has a long history. As early as over 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous Period, it was widely distributed across Europe, Asia, and the Americas in the Northern Hemisphere. But 500,000 years ago, during the Quaternary Ice Age, the Earth suddenly turned cold, and most ginkgo species nearly went extinct. Only in China, with its superior natural conditions, did it miraculously survive. Thus, scientists call it a “living fossil” and the “panda of the plant world.”

Ginkgo leaves have an elegant, fan-like shape and a long lifespan. Tall and straight, with a graceful posture, they are lush green in spring and summer and golden yellow in late autumn, making them ideal for landscaping and roadside planting.

[Kumquat Honey Hue] Kumquats serve both as elegant desk ornaments—playful and refreshing, with a touch of golden amid rich green—or as delicious fruits. In late autumn, branches are laden with fruit. Golden lantern-like kumquats crowd together, creating a lively and eye-catching display. Their golden hue, fragrant taste, and sweet-sour flavor make them delightful. With a long fruiting period, they are also excellent ornamental plants.

Transportation: Airport Expressway, Lishui Exit of Ninghang Expressway—Airport Road—Changli Road—Dongping Town

Lishui Exit of Ninghang Expressway or Dongping Exit of Yanjiang Expressway—Changli Road—Dongping Town

Tel: 025-57493099

57493199