Lianfeng Cloud Sea Scenic Area

Lianfeng Cloud Sea Scenic Area

Lianfeng Cloud Sea Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Lianfeng Cloud Sea Scenic Area is situated on Lotus Peak of Jiuhua Mountain, which lies in the hinterland of the mountain range and is its highest peak. Known as one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Jiuhua, it gets its name from the ever-shifting sea of clouds surrounding the summit all year round. Its shape also resembles a brush rest from the Four Treasures of the Study, giving it the nickname “Brush Rest Mountain.” The scenic area currently spans 400 acres, with a protected area of 1,000 acres. As an important gateway destination in the Jiuhua Mountain Hinterland tourism belt, the area is built along the mountain, with landscapes shaped by the terrain. Here, the garden is the mountain, and the mountain is the garden — a marvel of nature.

The region boasts lush vegetation, dense forests, and fresh, unpolluted air. The soil and surface water are also free of contamination. According to environmental tests, levels of sulfur dioxide, total suspended particles, and inhalable particulates within the park are all below national air quality standards. Surface water meets Class I standards, and the area has an exceptionally high concentration of negative oxygen ions at 10,000 per cubic centimeter. Visitors often feel refreshed and invigorated here, and it is believed to promote longevity. With a long history and deep-rooted Buddhist culture, the site has many historical relics and inscriptions left by notable figures. Discovered and still under study are Song Dynasty stone houses and bridges, temples from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Taiping Rebellion military strongholds, ancient stone carvings, stone pagodas, stelae, and tombs. These cultural and historical sites are of great aesthetic and archaeological value. Nestled under the perennial “Lianfeng Cloud Sea,” each structure and attraction is integrated naturally into the landscape, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship.

Walking slowly along the stone paths within the scenic area, visitors may stroll beneath the dense canopy of trees with vines hanging overhead, or walk beside giant rocks and streams where moss covers the trails and spring water sings. The surrounding mountains undulate in layers of green, with golden leaves on the hillsides, stretches of bamboo, and secluded stone paths. There are cascading waterfalls and hidden pools that appear and disappear. Streams may rush down in sparkling torrents or collect in cool, refreshing pools. A gentle breeze brings rustling leaves and echoing birdsong. The area also features orchards, tea gardens, fishing spots, and is dotted with stupas and ancient tombs of monks. Deep within the bamboo groves lies a yellow-roofed hermitage — the Wuzhen Thatched Cottage. Among the highlights are four scenic spots: Lianfeng Cloud Sea, Bodhidharma Facing the Wall, Wuzhen Thatched Cottage, and Golden Mountain Red Leaves.

The great poet Li Bai once visited Jiuzi Mountain (another name for Jiuhua Mountain) during his travels in search of immortality, composing the verse: “Green water hangs in the sky, with nine lotuses rising in beauty.” The “lotuses” refer to the peaks, and Li Bai likened the nine main peaks of Jiuhua Mountain to nine blooming lotuses, with Lotus Peak being the first rising from the east. Lotus Peak is a stone peak, naturally carved into the shape of a lotus with petals and stamens seemingly shaped by the heavens. It stands 1,094 meters above sea level. Adjacent to Huangshan Mountain, it borders Wuhu to the west and connects to Mount Lu to the east. It captures the wonder of southern Anhui’s mountains and embraces the vastness of the Yangtze River and the Tai Ping region. With steep cliffs and jagged rocks that seem to pierce the sky, reaching the summit of Lotus Peak offers a panoramic view of the world below. After rain clears, the mountain air turns crisp, and purple clouds and mist rise suddenly from the deep valleys between peaks, as if water were emerging halfway up the mountains. The green peaks remain pristine above, while the misty energy billows like waves before gradually dissipating. This peak alone rises above the clouds, appearing as if it alone touches the heavens, like a lotus flower standing gracefully above the water. Historical accounts describe Lianfeng Cloud Sea as one of Jiuhua’s most magnificent sights. The poet-monk Yuandao wrote: “The lotus soars into the azure sky, its emerald hues flowing; the peak floats with mist, dripping in late autumn. The clouds drift afar, stirring the heart; the seas clear, vying to reach the heights.”

At the foot of Lotus Peak, as you look up, you will suddenly see a massive rock atop the summit that strikingly resembles Bodhidharma meditating while facing a wall. Its expression and posture are incredibly lifelike. The texture of the rock is clear, and the figure’s demeanor and the folds of its robe are faintly visible, as if it were a naturally formed statue of Bodhidharma standing atop the rugged peak. Legend says that Bodhidharma, the 28th disciple of Mahakasyapa, left Shaolin Temple on Mount Song after crossing the Yangtze River on a reed. He arrived at Jiuhua Mountain and saw Lotus Peak towering into the clouds, resembling a bodhi lotus throne. He went there to pay homage, spending his days facing the stone wall in silent reverence. Day after day, year after year, he entered deep meditation, moving the deities, who then transformed him into a Buddha. He stands now beside Lotus Peak, witnessing the changing seasons and receiving the homage of a thousand peaks. There, he established a form of Buddhist practice involving silent meditation while facing the wall all day, eyes closed, body still — a discipline of “illuminating the mind and seeing true nature, while refining the spirit through hardship.”

Around mid-to-late November, as autumn fades, the maple forests on the mountainsides blaze like fire, turning deep shades of purple-red after frost. The crimson foliage, like thick, golden-red carpets, makes you feel as though you’re in a dazzling golden palace. When a breeze passes, the leaves rustle like the harmonious chords of a symphonic orchestra. Fallen leaves scatter like blossoms. From higher ground, the nearby hills and slopes display layers of red, pink, crimson, peach, and pale yellow — distinct and vivid. In the cool autumn wind, it seems as if waves of red clouds are surging toward you, making the whole mountain appear to sway. The scene is further accentuated by grey rocks, pine trees, and green bamboo, creating a vibrant contrast of reds and greens. If plum blossoms falling resemble flying rouge snow, then the red leaves of Golden Mountain dance like the entire mountain clad in golden armor. The beauty of the Golden Mountain red leaves is as striking as fire, leaving visitors with endless nostalgia and reluctance to leave.

The entire ecological park presents a diverse panorama, integrating stones, water, forests, and architecture. Featuring classic Huizhou-style buildings, large parking areas, a conference center, tennis courts, winding bridges, corridors, lawn landscaping, and a forest of stone inscriptions, the park forms a rich and diverse ecological system of “stones, water, forests, and structures,” truly making it a natural oxygen bar. The air here is fresh and invigorating. The gardens and residence areas blend seamlessly, offering enjoyment, exploration, and dwelling all in one — a perfect harmony of scenery and emotion.

Rongcheng Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Qingyang County and the county seat. Established in 1957, it was initially called Rongcheng Town, later renamed Chengguan Town, then merged into Chengguan Commune in 1963, and restored to Rongcheng Town in 1982. Located in the central-western part of the county, it covers an area of 52.5 square kilometers with a population of 34,000. National Highway 318 runs through the town. Qing (Yang)–Tong (Ling), Qing (Yang)–Shi (Tai), and Qing (Yang)–Huang (Shan) roads intersect here, making it a major transportation hub in southern Anhui. The Qingtong River runs north-south through the area. The town administers eight neighborhood committees — Rongcheng, Fuyang, Shuanghe, Gaoyang, Jiuhua, Longzikou, Xifeng, and Longshan — as well as the villages of Pailou, Chengdong, Chengbei,… More detailed information about Rongcheng Town++