Tianzhu Mountain

Tianzhu Mountain

Tianzhu Mountain is a national scenic area, a AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a key national cultural heritage site, a national forest park, a national geopark, and a science education base.

Tianzhu Mountain, also known as Wanshan, is situated in Qianshan County, Anhui Province. It is named after its main peak, which stands like "a single pillar holding up the sky." In 106 AD, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty visited the mountain for a ritual ceremony and honored it as the "Southern Sacred Mountain." In 589 AD, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty declared the Southern Sacred Mountain to be Mount Heng, so Tianzhu Mountain is also called the Ancient Southern Sacred Mountain. Furthermore, during the Spring and Autumn period, the region was part of the feudal state of Wan, hence the mountain was named Wanshan and the river Wan Shui. The abbreviation “Wan” for Anhui Province originates from this, making Tianzhu Mountain the “Source Mountain of Anhui.” The mountain features majestic peaks, peculiar rocks, serene caves, and beautiful waters, exuding grace and natural simplicity, and is ranked as the “Foremost in the Southern Land.” In 1982, it was approved by the State Council as one of the “First Batch of Key National Scenic Areas,” and in 1992, it was designated as a national forest park. Tianzhu Mountain boasts the Mysterious Valley, known as the “Number One Granite Secret Mansion”; the Shiniu Ancient Cave and cliff inscriptions, which are marvels under heaven; China’s third-largest alpine lake — “Refining Dan Lake”; and the Third Ancestral Temple of the Chan (Zen) Buddhism sect, among other attractions.

Tianzhu Mountain is among China's first batch of key national scenic areas, a AAAAA-level tourist zone, a national forest park, a national geopark, and a national site of natural and cultural heritage. It is one of China’s “Top Ten Most Promising Scenic Areas.” The scenic area spans 102.72 km², with a protected zone covering 304 km², and includes eight major scenic zones such as Dalongwo, Foguang Temple, Longtan River, and Xiguanzhai. In 106 BC, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty ascended Tianzhu Mountain and conferred upon it the title of “Southern Sacred Mountain.” In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era during the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang expanded the territory and renamed Mount Heng in Hunan as the Southern Sacred Mountain, yet Tianzhu Mountain continued to be revered as the “Ancient Southern Sacred Mountain.” Emperors throughout history either personally worshipped at Tianzhu Mountain or sent officials to conduct rituals. During the Spring and Autumn period, the area was part of the feudal state of Wan, and thus the mountain was named Wanshan and the river Wan Shui. The abbreviation “Wan” for Anhui Province originates here, so Tianzhu Mountain is also called Wanshan, the Source Mountain of Anhui.

Tianzhu Mountain is a mountainous scenic area dominated by granite peak cluster landforms, embodying the grandeur of northern mountains and the elegance of southern ridges. Bizarre peaks, peculiar rocks, dense caves, and secluded waterfalls are scattered across the landscape. Thanks to having the world’s largest and deepest exposed ultra-high-pressure metamorphic belt, Tianzhu Mountain has recently passed the on-site inspection by experts from UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network and is expected to be listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark within 2011. The main peak, Tianzhu Peak, rises 1,489.8 meters above sea level, standing abruptly and majestically over the Jianghuai region. Here lies the Mysterious Valley, acclaimed as the Number One Granite Cave Secret Mansion, with winding passages and unfathomable depths; and there is Refining Dan Lake, the country’s third-largest alpine man-made lake, embedded like a jade among the peaks… The great Ming Dynasty poet Li Geng once exclaimed, “Among the wonders of the world, none surpasses the beauty of this mountain.”

Tianzhu Mountain not only boasts unique natural scenery but also rich cultural landscapes. It is home to the Third Ancestral Temple of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism; the Shiliuguo Cliff Inscription Complex, a world wonder of valley-stream and spring engravings; and the Baima Pond Rafting, known as the “Number One Whitewater Rafting in East China.” It is also the setting of “The Peacock Flies Southeast,” the longest narrative poem in China; and the hometown where the Three Kingdoms beauties Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao dressed up. The mountain has attracted literati such as Wang Anshi, Su Shi, and Huang Tingjian, and produced figures like Cheng Changgeng, the “Father of Peking Opera,” Zhang Henshui, the “Master of Chaptered Novels,” as well as Xia Juhua, the “Queen of Acrobatics,” and Han Zaifen, a rising star of Huangmei Opera.

Tianzhu Mountain has become the second-largest tourism economic hub in Anhui Province after the “Two Mountains and One Lake” area, and is grouped with Huangshan and Jiuhua Mountain as the “Three Famous Mountains of Anhui.” The number of tourists visiting Tianzhu Mountain has been steadily climbing, with inbound visitor numbers increasing exponentially. In 2010, Tianzhu Mountain welcomed 2.29 million domestic and international visitors, generating nearly 1 billion yuan in total tourism revenue.

Highlight Attractions

Tianzhu Peak rises 1,489.8 meters above sea level, composed entirely of rocky strata, standing abruptly and majestically over the Jianghuai region. The Mysterious Valley, acclaimed as the Number One Granite Cave Secret Mansion, features winding passages and unfathomable depths; the Jiujing Waterfall cascades in a series of stunning drops; Refining Dan Lake, the country’s third-largest alpine man-made lake, is embedded like a jade among the peaks; and the Tianzhu Pine, Tanhai Pine, Qiulong Pine, and Wumei Pine all display graceful and striking forms. The great Ming Dynasty poet Li Geng once exclaimed, “Among the wonders of the world, none surpasses the beauty of this mountain.”

Tianzhu Peak, with an elevation of 1,489.8 meters, is precipitously steep and stands like a pillar holding up the sky — the source of the mountain’s name. At its summit are carved eight large characters: “Pillar of the Central Heavens” and “Solitary Reach to the Skies,” each measuring five square meters, radiating majestic grandeur.

The Tianzhu Pine grows from unyielding rock without touching even an inch of soil, standing ruggedly alongside stone, with a history of over 1,500 years. Its branches grow robustly and strongly toward the open cliff face, defying wind and frost, exuding a regal presence, and thus it is also called the Tianzhu Pine King.

Feilai Peak, at an elevation of 1,424 meters, is a mountain formed from a single massive rock. At its summit lies a stone that looks as if it flew from the heavens, called the Feilai Stone, from which the peak gets its name.

The Mysterious Valley is the highlight of the main peak scenic area, formed naturally by boulders that have fallen and stacked to create caves. Stretching over 450 meters in length with a drop of more than 100 meters, the valley features caves within caves, winding up and down, spiraling left and right, forming sections known as the “Heavenly Palace,” “Underground Palace,” “-,” “Labyrinth,” and “Dragon Palace.”

The Shiliuguo Valley Stream Cliff Inscriptions consist of over 400 inscriptions from the Tang Dynasty to the Republican era, featuring authentic calligraphy by historical officials and literary masters. The works include poetry, lyrics, prose, essays, and inscriptions, encompassing various scripts such as running, cursive, regular, clerical, and seal styles, making it a natural exhibition hall of calligraphy and a corridor of stone inscriptions.

Scenic Area Seasons

Tianzhu Mountain is located in the northern subtropical monsoon climate zone. Its overall climate characteristics are: distinct seasons, mild temperatures, abundant sunlight, plentiful rainfall, and a long frost-free period; continuous spring rains, hot and rainy summers, crisp and cool autumns, and dry, cold winters. The average annual temperature is around 9.5°C, with January averaging -2°C and July 20.3°C. The average annual sunshine is below 2,000 hours, and there are about 250 foggy days per year. Historical average annual precipitation reaches up to 1,900 millimeters, with up to about 150 days of rainfall in a year. June and July mark the plum rain season, averaging 24 days.

Tianzhu Mountain Town: Located in Qianshan County, Anhui Province, Tianzhu Mountain Town borders the Qian River to the south and leans against Tianzhu Mountain to the north. It currently governs 11 administrative villages, covers a total area of 71 square kilometers, and has a population of over 13,000.

Tianzhu Mountain Town serves as the backyard garden of Qianshan County and the southern gateway to the Tianzhu Mountain scenic area. It is 60 kilometers from Anqing Airport and the Yangtze River shipping terminal, close to the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway, and traversed by the Hefei-Jiujiang Railway and National Highway 105, offering extremely convenient transportation.

Tianzhu Mountain Town boasts abundant tourism resources and a variety of specialty products. The area is home to the national AAA-level scenic spot Tianzhu Mountain, and more... Detailed information on Tianzhu Mountain Town++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of National Scenic Areas

Sanzu Temple

Shiniu Ancient Cave Cliff Inscriptions

Mysterious Valley

Black Tiger Waterfall

Immortal Peach Stone

Xiguanzhai

Tianningzhai

Cliffside Stone Carvings

Mazu An Temple