Jinhua Huangdaxian Scenic Area

Jinhua Huangdaxian Scenic Area

The Jinhua Huangdaxian Scenic Area is situated in the central part of the Shuanglong Scenic Area in Jinhua, which is a national key scenic spot, a national forest park, a national nature reserve, one of the first batch of national AAAA-level scenic areas, and one of Zhejiang Province’s Top Ten Beautiful Scenic Spots. Spanning 10.2 square kilometers, it features uniquely shaped caves, strange rocks, picturesque mountains and waters, and is especially noted for its Huangdaxian (Immortal Huang) culture. The area boasts beautiful natural scenery, with major attractions including the Huangdaxian Ancestral Palace, Chaozhen Cave, Xianpu Cave, Lutian Lake, Lutian Academy, Xu Gong Temple, and Douji Rock. Among these, Xianpu Cave is renowned for its 73-meter-high cave waterfall, which holds a Guinness World Record, and Chisong Ancestral Court is also highly celebrated. The Huangdaxian Scenic Area in Jinhua Mountain is the site of the 36th Grotto-Heaven of Taoism. The area is covered with lush forests, fresh air, mirror-like lakes, murmuring streams, and enjoys a cool and pleasant climate. It is rich in flora and fauna, with over 9,000 species of wild plants and animals. The area is well-connected and fully equipped, making it a famous destination for sightseeing, summer retreats, and spiritual pilgrimages. Climatically, Jinhua Mountain has a mid-subtropical monsoon climate, featuring distinct seasons—long summers and winters, short springs and autumns—with moderate annual temperatures, abundant rainfall, and clearly defined wet and dry periods. Autumns are cool and humid, while winters are sunny, cold, and dry. The average temperature in July and August is around 28°C, with indoor highs below 30°C and early morning and evening temperatures around 25°C. The air is often heavily humid, frequently reaching supersaturation, and the large temperature variation leads to frequent condensation and mist formation, truly creating a cool paradise. The lowest elevation in the Huangdaxian Scenic Area is over 500 meters. From the heights, visitors can take in sweeping views of the distant landscape, nearby scenery, fields, and mountain hues. Watching the sunrise or admiring the magnificent sea of clouds can rival the experience of visiting Mount Lu. When mist and clouds roll in, visitors may feel as though they are floating in a heavenly realm. As the Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Ji wrote: “With every step upwards, I feel closer to the heavens; every time I look back, the white clouds seem lower.” The forests are filled with verdant pines and cypresses, forming a dense and vibrant vegetation cover that reaches 95%, making them an essential part of the natural landscape. Coniferous and broadleaf forests are distributed in belts, creating a naturalistic and tranquil environment. The Yuan Dynasty poet Wu Shidao once wrote of this place: “When the tung flowers fade and cherry blossoms fall, the phoenix birds take flight north and south of the mountain.” The water features meandering mountain streams and murmuring springs. The area’s Luhu and West Lakes have broad waters and calm surfaces like mirrors, making them rare high-mountain lakes within the province. By Luhu Lake, one can “rest their head on the stone and listen to the flowing springs, or sit beneath the pines and gaze at the bright moon,” enjoying a leisurely and carefree experience. The blue waters, green mountains, azure skies, and white clouds create idyllic scenery reminiscent of a paradise on earth. The rocks are uniquely shaped and strikingly formed. Peculiar stones include the “Chessboard Stone, Ascension Stone, Immortal Encounter Stone, Martial Challenge Stone, Reclining Sheep Stone, Sword-Testing Stone, and Monk’s Striking Stone,” each with distinct forms and rich mythical legends, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature’s unspoiled charm. Additionally, many legends about Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and his generals Hu Dahai and Chang Yuchun are passed down here. The still-existing Martial Challenge Stone and Treasure Cave add an air of mystery to the scenic area.

Source: Jinhua Government Website