Tu Mountain—Bai Ruquan Scenic Area

Tu Mountain—Bai Ruquan Scenic Area

The Tu Mountain Scenic Area is situated at the junction of the Qinling-Huaihe line, an important boundary in China for terrain, climate, vegetation, and rainfall. The extraordinary forces of nature have shaped the scenic beauty of the area. The region encompasses plains, hills, mountains, river valleys, and wetlands. Prominent natural sights include Tu Mountain, Jing Mountain, the Huai River, the Wu River, and the Tianhe River.

The “Tu Mountain—Bai Ruquan Scenic Area,” centered around Tu Mountain, was designated as a provincial-level scenic spot by the provincial government in 1987. The scenic area is naturally formed by landscapes such as Tu Mountain, Jing Mountain, the Huai River, the Wu River, the Tianhe River, and the Qian River, spanning both Yuhui District of Bengbu City and Huaiyuan County, covering a total area of 123 square kilometers. Tu Mountain and Jing Mountain stand opposite each other across the Huai River, embodying six major characteristics: majesty, wonder, peril, beauty, serenity, and openness. Mountains, peaks, caves, ravines, gorges, springs, shoals, rivers, forests, and birds blend seamlessly with the shimmering lake views, combining the grandeur of northern mountainous regions with the delicate charm of southern water towns. The Ming Dynasty scholar Song Lian praised the two mountains during his visit: “Among the ancient sites near Linhuang, Tu Mountain and Jing Mountain are the most renowned.”

The Tu Mountain Scenic Area boasts profound cultural heritage. Over four thousand years ago, Yu the Great leveraged his marriage alliance with the Lady of Tu Mountain to split the mountains and divert the Huai River, convene feudal lords, marry, and raise a family, leaving behind numerous cultural relics within the scenic area such as the Jing Mountain Gorge, Yu’s Palace, the Yu Ruins, and the Upper and Lower Hong sites. Major cultural attractions include: Yu’s Temple, Wife-Watching Rock, Qi’s Temple, Bai Ruquan (White Milk Spring), Sacred Spring, Jade Spring, Bian He Cave, White Fox Cave, Phoenix Pool, the Three Sovereigns Temple (now the Three Saints Temple), the ancient city ruins of Jing Mountain, the Four-Eyed Well, and the White Dragon Well.