Dan Mountain and Red Water

Dan Mountain and Red Water

Dan Mountain and Red Water is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Dan Mountain and Red Water Scenic Area is located in Shimulin Village, Dalan Town, Yuyao City, Ningbo, 45 kilometers from downtown Yuyao. Covering an area of 6.05 square kilometers, it is the first scenic area in Yuyao City.

Nestled in the heart of Siming Mountain, the area enjoys a pleasant climate and is a scenic destination centered around canyon landscapes. It embodies Taoist culture and the charm of ancient mountain villages in eastern Zhejiang, characterized by steep cliffs, unique rocks, ancient bridges, flowing streams, and cascading waterfalls. It is revered by Taoists as the Ninth Grotto-Heaven.

The scenic area consists of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Dan Mountain”—Dan Mountain and Red Water, Eagle Rock Grotto-Heaven, Lion King Enlightenment, Cascading Waterfall, Eight-Trigram Immortal Terrace, Immortal Pointing Path, Autumn Water Long Beach, and Siming Taoist Temple—as well as over thirty other attractions. The area is home to competing peaks, towering ancient trees, bamboo forests that block out the sun, and murmuring streams, making it an ideal eco-tourism destination for enjoying natural landscapes, immersing in history and culture, experiencing rural charm, and relaxing.

Shimulin Village, where the scenic area is located, is surrounded by mountains and lush bamboo and trees. The murmuring springs, birdsong, and floral fragrances create not only beautiful scenery but also a primitive and simple atmosphere, with the original mountain dwelling landscape well preserved. The entire village is surnamed Shen. According to family records, the Shen ancestors were the tenth son of King Wen of Zhou, who was enfeoffed in the region of Shen and adopted the place name as his surname. Their descendants came here to live in seclusion. There is also an ancient well in the village with clear and pure water that remains warm in winter and cool in summer, serving as the drinking source for the whole village. Hence the saying: “One village, one surname, one family; one ancient well quenches the thirst of the whole village.”

The surrounding area of the village is filled with towering ancient trees and dense forests. On the mountainside behind the ancient Shimulin Village, beside the road leading into the village at the foot of Lion Rock, there is a dense grove of dark green trees. Within this grove stand a thousand-year-old white peach blossom tree, an ancient sturdy pine tree, and five ancient torreya trees. These ancient trees have thick trunks, requiring several people to encircle them, with exposed roots and weathered marks. Despite years of wind, frost, rain, and snow, they remain lush and stand proudly against the sky. People associate blessings with the ancient pine, prosperity with the torreya trees, and longevity with the white peach blossom tree, thus naming this spot the “Garden of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity,” locally known as “Seven Trunks.” The village has the most persimmon trees, found all around the village and in front of and behind houses. The village produces over 200,000 kilograms of persimmons annually. Some persimmon trees tower and are as thick as several people embracing them, with some over 300 years old. The largest single tree yields over 1,000 kilograms. In late autumn, red persimmons hang from branches throughout the village and on the hillsides like countless small red lanterns. Coupled with fiery red maples among the green trees, the scene presents a beautiful autumn spectacle. Besides persimmons, the area is also rich in high-mountain cloud mist tea—Siming Dragon Tip—and bamboo shoots.

Below the village flows a large stream. As the stream water passes through a layer of red soil and reflects off the red rocks, it takes on a slightly reddish hue, hence the name Red Water Stream. Following the stream downstream are, in order, the White Tiger Pool, Green Dragon Pool, Canopy Pool, Spirit Dragon Pool, and Autumn Water Long Beach. The pools vary in height and are staggered beautifully. As the stream water flows into the pools, the significant drop creates several small cascading waterfalls. The sound of water hitting the large rocks in the stream echoes through the quiet valley, and the mist stirred up by the impact rises, creating a captivating spectacle. On the stream stands a stone arch bridge built in the ninth year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1859). It is a steep, single-arch bridge with an arch height of 10 meters. The center of the bridge deck is paved with a stone slab engraved with lotus and seedpod patterns. Stone railings with mortise-and-tenon joints are on both sides, inscribed in the center with the words “Red Water Bridge.” Crossing the bridge, you face a cliff hundreds of meters wide and over a hundred meters high. The rock wall is also red, called Dan Cliff. Legend has it that ancient immortals once slaughtered a sheep here, staining the rocks and stream red, hence it is also called Sheep-Slaughtering Cliff. Miscellaneous trees and wildflowers grow in the crevices of the rocks, interplaying with the red of the cliffs and reflecting in the red water, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The name Dan Mountain and Red Water comes from this. On the cliff wall are four large characters “Dan Shan Chi Shui” (Dan Mountain and Red Water), written in the imperial brush of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty.

On a cliff near Shimulin Village, two rocks are stacked high—one a long rectangular pillar at the bottom and the other a square large rock on top, slightly tilted and appearing ready to fall. Locals call it “Zhuangqi Rock.” Legend has it that Lü Dongbin, while wandering through Dalan, saw villagers struggling to carry loads over the mountains and took pity on them. He intended to build a bridge between the two mountain peaks but had just moved two huge rocks to serve as the foundation when he was summoned back by the Jade Emperor. The bridge was never completed, leaving only these two rocks. As they were placed by immortals, they are also called “Immortal Stacked Rocks.” Today, from afar, they resemble an immortal standing atop the mountain, gazing eastward toward the sea.

Another attraction related to Lü Dongbin is located in the middle of the western cliff of Shimulin Village. A protruding rock with a large base and pointed tip resembles the sharp beak of a giant eagle. Below the beak is a cave, like the open mouth of a giant eagle, which locals call Mingying Cave. Legend says a divine eagle, weary of the loneliness of heaven, once slipped out of the heavenly court during the Queen Mother’s Peach Banquet while the other immortals were busy and could not pay attention. It came down to roam the mortal realm. Upon arriving here and seeing the beautiful scenery, it couldn’t help but cry out in joy, but exerted too much force and dislocated its jaw, which never reset. Over time, the cave formed. Later, Lü Dongbin visited the cave, stayed overnight, and used the spring water inside to revive a villager. When the story spread, villagers believed the cave was blessed by a bodhisattva, set up incense offerings, and entered the cave to fetch water as a remedy for illnesses.

The wonder of Dan Mountain and Red Water also lies in small openings in the cliffs, which emit cool breezes. In the peak of summer, the breeze is refreshing; in the depths of winter, the wind is gentle. This phenomenon occurs not only within the scenic area but also inside rural households in the village.

Attraction Introduction

Rural Charm Zone: Chastity Stele, Shen Family Ancestral Hall, Tongxin Well, Mingxiang Studio, Farmhouse Tofu Workshop, Mengxi Cottage, Imperial Stele Pavilion, and Fengliang Cave.

Landscape Scenic Zone: Zhuangqi Rock, Red Water Bridge, Earth God Temple, Dan Mountain Stone Cliff, Double Deer Pavilion, White Tiger Pool, Green Dragon Pool, Canopy Pool, Cold Dragon Pool, and Autumn Water Long Beach.

Taoist Culture Zone: Siming Taoist Temple, Herb-Spreading Terrace, Immortal Gathering Pavilion, Tianji Terrace, Laojun Rock, and Dan Cave.

Featured Attractions: Shimulin Old Street, First Siming Mountain Branch, Tea Plantations, Ancient Forest, and Persimmon Grove.

Grand Canyon Rafting

Farmhouse Cuisine

Nowadays, villagers in Shimulin rely on the Dan Mountain and Red Water Scenic Area and have turned their idle homes into agritainment spots. The rustic farmhouse meals attract many urban visitors, while green and healthy local specialties are especially favored by city dwellers. The scenic area now has over 2,000 dining seats for agritainment, offering rural delicacies such as dried bamboo shoot soup, free-range chicken pot, pork knuckle stew, and stream fish, as well as various wild game meats like wild boar and rabbit, keeping tourists enthralled.

At noon and dusk, when smoke curls from village homes cooking grains and wild game, those accustomed to delicately flavored urban cuisine might want to try something different. Amidst the natural beauty of green mountains and clear waters, enjoy authentic farmhouse fare and experience the leisurely charm of rural life—guaranteed to leave a unique impression.

Mountain Homestays

Experience being a mountain dweller, even if just for a while. Stone walls, gray tiles, simple yet practical layouts, and affordable prices provide tranquility without the usual hustle and bustle. When night falls, the quiet mountain village brings your heart back to its roots. The occasional bark of a dog simply lets you hear the voice of the mountain village.

Currently, Shimulin Village offers over 120 beds for homestay accommodations. Though not as upscale as city hotels, they offer a unique charm.

Self-Guided Tour Guide

For Drivers:

Ningbo – Zhangcun – Xiling – Dalan – Ancient Shimulin Village

Ningbo – Xikou, Fenghua – Siming Mountain Town – Qingtinggang, Dalan – Ancient Shimulin Village

Yuyao – Liangnong – Dalan – Ancient Shimulin Village

Bus Travelers:

Yuyao South Bus Station: 08:00 Yuyao — Shilin

Thursday 14:00 Yuyao — Shilin

Other buses run every 20 minutes, heading toward Dalan or Siming Mountain,

Get off at Dalan or Qingtinggang

Transportation Information

Self-driving Route: Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway — Yuyao — Nanlei Road — Tanjialing Road — Huxi Line — Dan Shan Chishui Scenic Area.

Bus Route: Take a high-speed (train) to Yuyao, then take a bus to Ningbo South Station Tourist Distribution Center and transfer to a direct shuttle bus to Dan Shan Chishui.

Booking Notes

①Scenic area opening hours: 8:00 — 17:00 ②Children under 1.1m are free, those between 1.1–1.4m get a half-price ticket of 25 RMB. No student discounts.

③Seniors over 70 years old with ID or senior citizen card pay half price (25 RMB), seniors under 70 must buy full-price tickets. Military personnel with officer ID enter free.

④November 12 to March 31 is the low season, with low-season pricing; April 1 to November 30 is the peak season, with peak-season pricing.

⑤Summer rafting fees are extra.

Address: Shilin Village, Dalan Town, Yuyao City, Ningbo

Type: Mountain Ancient Town / Ancient Village

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5 – 1 day

Phone: 0574-62332222

Official Website: http://www.dscs.cn

Opening Hours:

8:30-17:00

Shilin Village: [Village Overview] Shilin Village is located in the southeastern part of Dalan Town, Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province. It is built against the mountain, high in the west and low in the east, with a well-arranged and compact layout. The village roads wind around, and the alleys are quaint, making it a historically rich and structurally intact ancient village. Situated on a plateau at an average elevation of 550 meters, the area enjoys abundant sunshine, plentiful rainfall, and distinct seasons. With beautiful scenery and fresh, clean air, it boasts rich local tourism resources, including the national 4A-level “Dan Shan Chishui” Scenic Area. Due to its pleasant landscape and unique features, it was once chosen as a filming location for the movie “Dawn”... More details about Shilin Village++