Sandu Scenic Area

Sandu Scenic Area

Sandu Scenic Area, located in Wuning Town, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province, is commonly known as "Dragon Head Gully." It is a provincial-level scenic spot, situated just 5 kilometers from the city center. The area features towering cliffs, rugged rocks, numerous deep caves, and waterfalls cascading from the sky—truly a place of extraordinary wonder. Known as the "Number One Cave Mansion in the South of the Yangtze," it is a renowned destination for spring climbs, autumn outings, summer escapes, and winter appreciation. Major attractions include: "Listening to the Rain Pavilion," "Eighteen Bends," "East Heavenly Gate," "West Heavenly Gate," "Mythical Clay Sculpture Corridor," "Jin Si Gully," "Bell and Drum Tower," "Turtle Rock," "Cave Hotel," "Huiyou Cave," "Tiger Cave," "Goat Horn Cave," "Lotus Pond," "Sixty-Six Steps," "Hundred Steps Cliff," "Lotus Pond," "Wangyu Pavilion," "Thousand Buddha Pagoda," and more.

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Among them, "Jin Si Gully" is the most beloved by visitors. This narrow crevice runs vertically from the mountaintop down to the base, about one meter wide and unfathomably deep. Legend has it that even if a stone tied with a pound of silk thread were lowered into the gully, it would never reach the bottom—hence the name "Jin Si Gully" (literally "One-Pound-Silk Gully"). Visitors often enjoy tossing pebbles or setting off firecrackers into the gully, delighting in the echoes that bounce back.

　Sandu Screen Rock is located in the southeastern part of Dongyang City, 9 kilometers from the city center. It spans the low mountain and hilly areas of Wuning and Hengdian towns, covering a total area of 10.7 square kilometers. The area includes the Luoping Mountain and Screen Rock Mountain ranges, which are extensions of the Dapan Mountain range, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 521.4 meters. The forest vegetation is dominated by Masson pine, with some bamboo forests and scattered broadleaf trees such as sweet gum and camphor. The foothills and ditches are lined with fruit trees like plum and peach. Wildlife in the area includes squirrels, rabbits, weasels, wild boars, and various bird species such as mountain sparrows. The scenic area has a subtropical monsoon climate, with distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and pleasant weather, featuring an average annual temperature of 17.2°C. The area boasts layered peaks, steep cliffs, lush pines, and dense vegetation. It is also home to a variety of unique rocks, peculiar stones, mysterious caves, and cascading waterfalls, offering stunning natural scenery. The region is dotted with ancient temples and shrines, rich in legends and historical tales, making it a culturally vibrant destination that has attracted visitors since the Tang Dynasty. The entire scenic area encompasses 98 scenic spots, divided among the Sandu Scenic Area, Screen Rock Cave Mansion, and the Lanting and Guanding Temple sites (areas), attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.

Sandu Scenic Area, originally named "Dragon Pool Pit," dates back to the eighth year of the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty (867 AD). At that time, local villagers, hoping for bountiful harvests and peace throughout the year, pooled resources to erect a statue of Shennong (the God of Agriculture), drawing worshippers from far and wide. Legend has it that during an ancient drought, a dragon, moved by the suffering of the people, defied the Jade Emperor’s orders and secretly brought rain to the earth. When the Jade Emperor discovered this, he imprisoned the dragon here—hence the name "Dragon Pool Pit." To this day, the Dragon-Slaying Platform, Dragon Bed, and Dragon Pool remain. The majestic Dragon King Temple stands tall at the entrance of the scenic area, having stood for a thousand years. The "Azure Cloud Cave" and "White Cloud Cave" are said to be the dwelling places of the Green Snake and White Snake from the legend of "Madame White Snake." The local Xu family, living at the foot of the mountain, are descendants of Xu Xian. "Dragon Pool Pit" has been celebrated for its many beautiful legends for over a thousand years, remaining a popular and bustling destination throughout history, with records found in local chronicles.