East Sea Cloud Summit

East Sea Cloud Summit

Formerly known as Gaicang Mountain, East Sea Cloud Summit (Chashan) is located in the middle section of the Tiantai Mountain Range, situated in the northeast of Ninghai County. It is the highest peak in the northeastern part of the county, with its main peak, Mozhu Peak, standing at an elevation of 872.6 meters. Bordering the East China Sea, East Sea Cloud Summit is hailed as “the unparalleled scenic wonder of the East Sea Cloud Summit.” Here, majestic mountains rise one after another, endless green seas stretch out as far as the eye can see, and layers of forests are lush and verdant, home to a rich diversity of precious biological resources and species. The first phase of development includes: the South Entrance Leisure Area of East Sea Cloud Summit, Taohua Creek Forest Park, Yun Ding Mountain Villa Resort, and the East Sea Cloud Summit Tourist Area. It is a mountainous leisure and resort destination that integrates mountain worship, alpine holidays, tea tasting with ocean views, landscape experiences, and sightseeing.

Cultural Links. 1. The Jiading Chicheng Annals from the Song Dynasty recorded: “Gaicang Mountain is located ninety li northeast of (Ninghai). Also called Chashan, it borders the sea. From its summit, one can see the islands scattered like chess pieces. Because the area produces tea, it is thus named. There is a waterfall there, and nearby is the Guanyin Rock. Legend has it that the bodhisattva came from the sea and hid here. One crack on the summit shines with sunlight daily, revealing a jade bottle and a blue alms bowl. To the east is another rock inscribed with the two characters ‘Zhenyi’ (True Recluse). Zhenyi was the Taoist name of Tao Hongjing, who used to travel to and from Ninghai and studied under Zhang Shaoxia... On the mountain there is also the Flame Rock, which is red and seems to shimmer and move. There is also an Immortal Chessboard and a Stone Boat on it.” “Chashan Black Dragon Pool, three in number, lie one hundred and twenty li northeast of the county. The water has three colors. The middle pool is round like a well, with a waterfall pouring down from above. The valley twists and turns, resembling a three-leaf screen. The upper pool is almost impossible to climb.” “Baoyan Temple is located ninety-two li northeast of the county. Formerly called Chashan, it was built during the Baoyuan era (1038–1040). Legend says that at the time of its founding, a white-robed Taoist planted tea bushes in the mountain, hence the tea produced here is especially abundant. During the Zhiping era (1064–1067), the monk Zongbian took some to the capital and presented it to Cai Jing and Cai Que, who said its quality surpassed that of Rizhao tea. Thus, they requested the current name.” These are the three records about Ninghai Chashan from the earliest local chronicle of Taizhou. As for “the mountain, with Maojian to the east and the lofty peaks of Gaicang,” and “tea shoots thrive in Baoyan (Yan),” these refer to the height of Gaicang and the excellence of tea shoots in the Song Dynasty’s Chu Guoxiu’s Ode to Ninghai County.

2. In the “Biography of Li Shaojun” from the Shenxian Zhuan (Traditions of Divine Transcendents) by Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty, it is written: “Anqi took Shaojun east to Chicheng, south to Luofu, north to Dayuan, west to Yumen, and traveled around the Five Sacred Mountains, observing the rivers and mountains for decades. One day Anqi said to him: ‘I have been summoned by Xuanzhou and must leave today. You are not yet ready to follow me there, so we must part ways. In another six hundred years, I will come to fetch you here.’” This is the story of the immortal Anqi Sheng from the Qin Dynasty leading the immortal Li Shaojun from the Han Dynasty on a journey through the nine major immortal mountains of China. Chicheng refers to Tiantai Mountain, which Taoist texts such as the Yunji Qiqian rank as the sixth of the Ten Grotto-Heavens—the Chicheng Shangyu Qingping Heaven. It is the eastern immortal mountain among the nine, and Ninghai forms its coastal part. In the Baopuzi · Neipian, Ge Hong referred to Tiantai Mountain as Greater and Lesser Tiantai, placing it prominently among the 28 most suitable mountains in China for alchemy. Ninghai is the site of the Lesser Tiantai. He practiced alchemy there for ten years and left his second son, Ge Xun, to settle, whose descendants now number over 20,000. The Xueshi Ping of Dongtongbai and the Baopu Cave of Dongtianmu were Ge Hong’s main alchemy sites. The Dadan Mountain (865m), Xiaodan Mountain, and Lingfeng Temple to the east of Chashan were all named in honor of or derived from Ge Hong.

The area features towering mountains, boundless green seas, and layered forests full of lush vegetation. It boasts many rare animal and plant resources, including the first-class protected animal, the black muntjac, and has established a reserve for the first-class protected animal, the clouded leopard. The region is rich in diverse plant species, earning it the title of “kingdom of plants,” along with many beautiful legends and thousand-year-old historical tales.

Currently, the first phase of the scenic area includes the South Entrance Scenic Area, Taohua Creek Scenic Area, and Yun Ding Mountain Villa Resort. The Taohua Creek Scenic Area (approved as Taohua Creek Forest Park in March 2005) is rich in forest resources with well-preserved vegetation. The area offers comprehensive landscapes including pools, waterfalls, peaks, ranges, cliffs, bamboo, and trees. Major attractions include the Magpie Waterfall, Beauty Waterfall, Eastern Dripping Water, Western Dripping Water, Moonside Waterfall, and steep cliffs. The scenic forest dominated by Phoebe bournei is particularly majestic, and Taohua Creek flows year-round, clear to the bottom. The Five Eagle Peaks are grand and precipitous.

The Yun Ding Mountain Villa Resort is located in a mountain-top basin where “another village appears amid the brightness after a dark woods.” At its center lies the small yet exquisite Chashan Reservoir, known as the “Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) of Eastern Zhejiang.” Looking around, you’ll see thousands of acres of lush sea-view tea gardens and ancient towering trees, with the highest peak, Mozhu Peak, standing quietly not far away. Next to the reservoir are former educated youth dormitories built in the 1970s. With an average altitude of 640 meters and an annual average temperature of 13.5°C, it is an ideal highland holiday destination. Visitors can explore Taohua Creek, climb Mozhu Peak, admire the Beauty Waterfall, enjoy farm-style meals, pick sea-view tea, and cultivate their spirit. A variety of engaging activities will make your stay truly unforgettable.

In summer, the Yun Ding Mountain Villa Resort is perfect for avoiding the heat (as the top natural oxygen bar of East Sea Cloud Summit, at an altitude of 640 meters with an average annual temperature of 13.5°C). In autumn, hike up the Five Eagle Peaks to refresh your lungs. In winter, enjoy the snow and ice scenery. The resort offers barbecuing, fishing, and a chess and card room.

Inquiry phone: 0574-65107519

Ticket: 50 RMB per person

Opening hours: 8:00–16:30

Self-driving route:

Route 1: Take the Tongsan Expressway → exit at Ninghai → follow Taoyuan North Road → Taoyuan Middle Road → turn left at Taoyuan Roundabout → follow the Coastal Highway → head toward Chayuan → reach Liyang Town → pass Liyang Reservoir → arrive at East Sea Cloud Summit

Route 2: Take the Tongsan Expressway → exit at Ninghai → head toward Xiangshan direction → turn onto Xinghai Road → turn left onto the Coastal Highway → head toward Chayuan → reach Liyang Town → pass Liyang Reservoir → arrive at East Sea Cloud Summit

By bus: From Ninghai Passenger Transport Terminal → transfer to Ninghai East Bus Station → take the minibus to Liyang → then to East Sea Cloud Summit

Dining and accommodation:

Yun Ding Mountain Villa: 0574-65107588

Jintang Manor: 0574-65108777

Scenic spot location:

Chashan Forest Farm, Liyang Town, Ninghai County, Ningbo City