Taoyuan Lake

Taoyuan Lake

On the rocky cliffs shaded by emerald bamboo, a cave entrance emerges, surrounded by several peach trees. In early March, when crimson peach blossoms contrast vividly with verdant bamboo, the scene resembles a paradise on earth — this is the Peach Blossom Cave.

According to the *Qianshan County Annals*: “Below the Immortal Peach Cliff west of Chazhuang Village lies a cave, with wild peach trees growing all around. The blossoms come in five colors, and the peaches are edible — hence the name Peach Blossom Cave.” During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Taoist alchemist Zuo Ci practiced his arts here. Zuo Ci, courtesy name Yuanfang, was a native of Lujiang (today’s Qianshan). The Taoist alchemical traditions of the Eastern Han Dan Ding sect were passed down through his lineage. Between 190 and 195 AD, Zuo Ci secluded himself in Tianzhu Mountain, dedicating himself to refining elixirs. From the Nine Wells River to the West Pass Fort entrance, sites where he meditated and practiced alchemy can still be found along the way.

In front of Peach Blossom Cave lies Taoyuan Lake, named after the nearby area. In ancient times, this region was abundant with wild peaches that bloomed in five colors, commonly known as Peach Blossom Spring.

The entire dam of Taoyuan Lake stretches over 70 meters in length and stands 12.5 meters high. The project was invested in and constructed by Chazhuang Village in Tianzhushan Town to improve the tourism environment. Here, visitors can witness the rare sight of a rainbow waterfall.

Between 8 AM and 3 PM, sunlight shining on the waterfall atop the dam interacts with the mist to form a rainbow. This rainbow shifts depending on the viewing angle, creating a spectacular view. The lake covers an area of over 120 acres, holds 250,000 cubic meters of water, and has a depth ranging from 3 to 12 meters.

Surrounded by mountains and shielded by the peaks of Tianzhu Mountain, the lake’s crystal-clear waters sparkle under the sun. The winding mountain ranges divide the lake into several sections, making the area feel like a hidden dragon — elusive and mysterious. Boating here feels like navigating a water-bound labyrinth, full of delightful surprises.

The most beautiful sight of Taoyuan Lake is the reflection of the Tianzhu peaks. When the water is calm and mirror-like, the towering peaks are reflected on the lake surface, composing a grand panorama of mountain and water.

After the streams of the Tianzhu Mountain scenic area converge past Songjia Banqiao, they are called the Nine Wells River. Stretching approximately 6 kilometers, the river features significant elevation changes and includes nine steep descents that have carved out nine large pools. Pearl Well — one of the nine wells, located south of Jiangjiapan.

Here, the river is wide, the current is gentle, and the drop is relatively small. Irregular rocks at the well’s mouth obstruct the rushing water, splashing silvery droplets that shimmer like pearls. Hanging Pot Well — the second of the nine wells, has a waterfall only three or four meters long. The rocks beneath the falls resemble a hanging pot, narrow at the mouth and wide at the base, with unfathomable depth. Wind Well, Cloud Well, and Dragon Well — the third, fourth, and fifth of the nine wells. At this point, the river takes a sharp 90-degree turn, the canyon runs east-west, and the drop exceeds 100 meters. The water cascades down in three continuous falls — upper, middle, and lower — spraying like snow and splashing like jade. The valley trembles and the mountains quake, astonishing travelers and driving birds and beasts into hiding.