Longshan Scenic Area in Yizheng

Longshan Scenic Area in Yizheng

The Longshan Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Yizheng City, northwest of Qingshan Town, bordering the Yangtze River to the south and adjacent to Yizheng Chemical Industry to the east. It is the most well-preserved pristine ecological area in the Yangzhou region. The area features beautiful scenery, undulating mountain terrain, and lush, diverse vegetation, including over 6,000 acres of various scenic forest plantations such as peach orchards, pear orchards, vineyards, red maples, plum blossoms, and bamboo groves. With birds chirping, fragrant flowers, rustling pines, and vast bamboo forests, it resembles a paradise on earth. A 200-meter cement path from the entrance leads directly to a natural bathing beach covering 3,200 square meters, which officially opened to the public in 1999. Visitors can swim in the summer and fish in the winter, and there is also a leisure area for relaxation and entertainment.

The Longshan Resort at the foot of the mountain was completed and opened to the public in 2000. The first phase of the project covers an area of 20 acres and has initially completed the construction of guest rooms, a restaurant, and meeting rooms. The second phase will invest an additional 1.6 million yuan to further expand the scale of guest rooms, add recreational facilities, and improve supporting amenities, ultimately forming a fully equipped leisure and entertainment center integrating dining, guest rooms, meeting rooms, and more.

The scenic area also features cultural sites such as the tombs of Zhou Taigu, the founder of the Taigu School, and Sheng Cheng, a globally renowned cultural figure and their mother and son. From the mountaintop viewing platform, visitors can take in panoramic views of the Yizheng Chemical Industry complex, the urban landscape of Yizheng, and the scenery of the Yangtze River. The mountaintop also houses the largest deer farm in the province, with over 200 sika deer. Visitors can also take photos with the graceful sika deer. The scenic area has well-developed infrastructure, including lawns, flower gardens, green sightseeing belts, and parking lots. Ascending to the peak of Longshan, visitors are greeted by endless pine waves, bamboo seas, clear waters, and light mist. In spring, one can go for outings amidst blooming flowers; in summer, fishing and barbecues are popular; in autumn, hiking up to admire the foliage is a delight; and in winter, one can enjoy the snow while searching for plum blossoms, all while reconnecting with nature and freeing the spirit.

There are few mountains in northern Jiangsu, and the closest range to the Yangtze River in the lower reaches is Longshan in Yizheng. It runs from east to west as an extension of the Shugang Mountain Range, low and gently rolling. To the west, it borders Liuhe in Nanjing, and to the east, it neighbors the world-famous Yizheng Chemical Fiber Company, a major production base for chemical fiber raw materials. At the foot of the mountain lies Qingshan Town, home to Yizheng’s traditional industrial zone.

The origin of Longshan is naturally related to the “dragon.” Legend has it that apart from the name of Longshan Head, which comes from the story of the young King of Qin driving mountains to fill the sea and slaying a dragon, the most widely told local folk tale is about how Zhuge Liang, the military strategist of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty, sought to protect the emperor’s reign by seeking out and destroying “dragon veins” wherever they emerged. On one occasion, Zhuge Liang discovered a mountain range from Longtan across the river stretching all the way to the north bank, resembling a living dragon, so he ordered the head of Longshan to be severed. Since then, the mountains on both sides have stopped growing. Hence, there is a saying: “Sever Longshan, frighten Longtan.” Surprisingly, the soil of nearby Hongshan is largely red, which locals say is stained by dragon blood.

The undulating and diverse landforms of Longshan, along with its pristine and densely forested state, create a landscape that changes with the seasons and shifts with the terrain. Spring is perfect for outings and enjoying the fresh air; summer is great for fishing and barbecues; autumn offers the chance to hike and admire the foliage; and winter allows for snow walks and plum blossom searches. Especially in the sunny days of April, the wheat fields at the foot of the mountain are lush green, the mountain slopes are covered in golden rapeseed flowers, and peach blossoms blaze brilliantly, as if a colorful carpet is spread from high above. When enveloped in misty rain, being here feels like stepping into a naturally created watercolor painting.