Mituo Temple, Huangfu Mountain National Forest Park

Mituo Temple, Huangfu Mountain National Forest Park

Mituo Temple and Huangfu Mountain National Forest Park are cultural tourism attractions and a national-level forest park.

Located within Huangfu Mountain National Forest Park.

Huangfu Mountain National Forest Park is located in Chuzhou City, approximately 100 kilometers from both Nanjing and Hefei, about a one-hour drive. Huangfu Mountain was historically known as "Quting Mountain" or "Beigeneral Mountain," named after the Southern Tang Dynasty general Huangfu Hui who once stationed troops here. The highest peak, Beigeneral Ridge, stands at an elevation of 400 meters, making it the tallest peak in northeastern Anhui. The park covers a total area of 53,273 mu, with a forest coverage rate of 96%, and is the only area in northeastern Anhui that combines a national forest park, a natural ecological reserve, and the foundation of a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. It boasts the most intact and largest secondary forest landscape belt in the Jianghuai region, often referred to as the "Xishuangbanna of Eastern China." Towering ancient trees, lush vines, and stunning scenery create a refreshing atmosphere. Among the dense woods, egrets and sparrows chirp, with the egret population around Huangfu Mountain being particularly spectacular. Every year from Tomb Sweeping Day to early summer, hundreds of thousands of egrets gather here—forming a rare sight in China. CCTV’s program "Human and Nature" has featured a special report on the egret colonies in Huangfu Mountain. As the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu wrote: “Startled, they fly far, mirrored against blue hills, a pear blossom falls in the evening wind”—a poetic tribute to the egrets of Huangfu Mountain. The deep and forested park is also home to more than 130 species of wild animals, including nationally protected species such as the Chinese water deer, small Indian civet, leopard cat, and masked palm civet.

Huangfu Mountain is renowned for its beautiful landscapes. The mountain features clustered peaks that roll and stretch continuously, while the valleys below are serene and deep, with murmuring streams. The mountain is filled with fragrant flowers, birdsong, and intertwined vines. Mituo Temple, built in the first year of the Zhizheng era during the Yuan Dynasty, was visited three times by Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The famous "Mituo Tribute Tea," which has withstood over 600 years of history, is considered a national treasure. In the 1940s, the Huangfu Mountain area was a base for anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare led by Liu Shaoqi, and Mituo Temple served as the field hospital for the New Fourth Army’s Second Division, making significant contributions to the resistance.

Additionally, Huangfu Mountain is home to historical sites such as the "General’s Well," where Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, is said to have marveled, “This is the will of Heaven,” after defeating the Southern Tang Dynasty; Egret Island, where pear blossoms fall into the evening light; Mituo Spring, Golden Armor Pool, ancient beacon towers, Official Talent Rock, Immortal’s Cave, the Ten-Li Sandalwood Corridor, the Thousand-Mu Bamboo Sea, Immortal Crossing Bridge, Buddha Destiny Tree, General Ridge, and more. These attractions combine famous mountains, pools, springs, caves, temples, and forests, offering a distinctive experience characterized by depth, wonder, seclusion, beauty, and wilderness.

The overall development plan for the Huangfu Mountain scenic area has been completed. The project covers a total area of 53,273 mu, with a planned development area of 15,000 mu and an investment of 506.43 million yuan. Key construction projects include the Three-Realm Terrace Palace, holiday hotel, "Southern Tang Government Residence" themed cultural park, and Quting Peninsula Resort.