Mingtang Mountain

Mingtang Mountain

Mingtang Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Mingtang Mountain is located in Yuexi County, Anhui Province, in the heart of the Dabie Mountains in southwestern Anhui. It lies 42 kilometers from the county seat. Part of the Dabie Mountain range, Mingtang Mountain was formed as three peaks rose abruptly along the winding ridges of the Duozhijian Mountain Range. Its main peak stands at an elevation of 1,563 meters and serves as the watershed between the Yangtze River and Huai River basins. Historically, it was a connecting region between the ancient states of Wu and Chu.

Legend has it that over 2,100 years ago, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, held a Fengshan (imperial sacrifice) ceremony at the ancient Southern Sacred Mountain, Tianzhu Mountain, and established a "Mingtang" (sacrificial hall) on this mountain, hence its name. Folklore also says that due to its graceful and elegant mountain shape, which complements the majestic and upright Tianzhu Mountain, and because both are located within Anhui and are just a hundred li apart, there is a saying that “the two mountains grow side by side, paired as a couple.” Thus, Tianzhu Mountain is playfully called the “Male Mount Anhui,” while Mingtang Mountain is called the “Female Mount Anhui.” Additionally, because there is a natural pattern of a rooster on the main peak’s rock face, and when viewed from the north, the clustered peaks resemble a rooster’s comb, it is also known as “Rooster Mountain.”

The Mingtang Mountain Scenic Area was invested in by Hong Kong Golden Diamond Limited and construction began in March 2005, with preliminary completion achieved in April 2007. Covering an area of over 50 square kilometers, the scenic zone features ancient towering trees and hidden beautiful landscapes. The old county annals of Taihu County listed Mingtang Mountain as the foremost among the local mountain ranges, stating: “Its three peaks pierce the sky, uniquely splendid and incomparable.”

Viewed from different angles, Mingtang Mountain presents varying sceneries. Looking from the south, it resembles an upside-down flying butterfly, exuding spirit and grace, much like the Lotus Peak of Huangshan Mountain. A poem praises it: “Mingtang’s five peaks point to the sky, half in the human world, half in the heavens,” illustrating its precipitous beauty. Ascending from the east to the watershed and gazing at the mountaintop, it looks like a penholder, soaring straight into the clouds. Midway up the main peak lies a spacious valley that opens like a hall, and atop the flat land rise nine peaks in a row, standing like nine children holding hands—known as the “Nine Sons United in a Hall.” Looking northward, Mingtang Mountain shows layers upon layers of ridges covered in green, lush and deep. From the west, it appears like a mushroom cloud surging skyward, on the verge of rising, or like a fairy surrounded by clouds, wearing a misty veil. Truly, with every step the scenery changes, displaying countless forms. A poem attests: “Mingtang Mountain holds many wonders, shifting views bring myriad shapes; from the south it soars like a flying saucer, from the west it cradles a child like a loving mother; the eastern river hall celebrates a wise ruler, the Big Dipper’s star tower pays homage to the heavens; water reflects the radiant sky, carved as if heavenly, while blue lotuses invite the moon to wander together.”

Mingtang Mountain boasts a majestic presence, with perpetual clouds and mists adding to its enchanting scenery. Ancient people summarized twelve natural wonders: the Crowing Rooster Greeting the Sun, the Big Dipper Star Tower, the Cloud Cliff Chasm, the Ox Ridge Crossing, the Thunder Sound Temple Pagoda, the Cloudless Heavenly Street, the Mirror Lake Verdure, the Horse Tail Silver Waterfall, the Beacon God Platform, the Monks and Nuns Seeking Enlightenment, the Three Stars Supporting the Moon, and the Nine-Petal Lotus.

Currently, there are five developed scenic zones: the Majestic Mingtang Peak Zone, the Unique Pines of Qingsong Ridge Zone, the Beautiful Waters of Hulu River Zone, the Graceful Moon Cliff Zone, and the Secluded and Mysterious Gujing’an Exploration Zone. Each zone features distinct scenery—some boast towering boulders pointing to the sky with sheer cliffs, others have deep valleys with murmuring streams and wildflowers and fruits scattered throughout, while some showcase ancient pines towering alongside rocks and cliffs, forming extraordinarily unique and poetic landscapes. Mr. Liang Dong, Vice President of the Chinese Poetry Society, praised Mingtang Mountain affectionately: “The imperial son of Mingtang stands atop the clear sky, defying all winds from east to west; myriad valleys fly like silver willow catkins, a thousand mountains intoxicate in azalea red; at Shengtang Bay, who dares to compete in crossing? Before the Tianzhu Peak, I stand the most majestic; the Dabie Mountains divide the waters beyond the clouds, while the Yangtze and Huai rivers forever flow eastward.”