Yunshang Dafu Scenic Area

Yunshang Dafu Scenic Area

Yunshang Dafu Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Dafu Village is located 70 kilometers from Shunchang County and about 14 kilometers from Gaoyang Township, at an altitude of over 700 meters. It is covered with abundant bamboo that stays lush all year round, boasts fresh air and a simple, rustic local culture—offering a natural and serene atmosphere, making it an ideal summer retreat.

Dafu has beautiful scenery in all seasons, but its sea of clouds is the most spectacular. The area offers over 200 days of sea of clouds each year, with four prime viewing spots. The first is the Guanyun Pavilion at the village entrance. Built last year as a two-story hexagonal pavilion to help visitors enjoy and photograph the sea of clouds, it was constructed by the village. Due to the terrain and mountain formations, a north-south band of clouds often forms here. When the clouds rise, they drift through the mountains with the airflow, shrouding the peaks and valleys, rising and falling amid the white expanse that blankets the valleys and gullies in front of the village, creating an ever-changing, ethereal sight. The flowing sea of clouds often rushes toward you with the wind, enveloping you as if it had a life of its own. The second spot is the village’s viewing platform. Locals have counted 172 steps leading up from the small street in the village to the platform—you might be a bit out of breath after climbing them all at once. But once you reach the top, a vast panorama unfolds before you: distant mountains, nearby trees, and layers of peaks all come into view. Leaning on the railing with the mountain breeze brushing your face, you’ll feel refreshed and carefree. This spot offers a grand view of the sea of clouds. The third is the open-air terrace on the third floor of the village office building. From this elevated vantage point, you can see the Guanyun Pavilion to the left and the sea of clouds stretching all the way to the northern part of the village to the right. The fourth spot is along the road about one kilometer north of the village office. With appealing mountain contours and a backdrop of green bamboo, it also makes for a great spot to admire and photograph the sea of clouds.

“Clouds take the mountain as their form,” and “mountains take the cloud as their home.” The sea of clouds in Dafu looks different on sunny days compared to after the rain—each has its own unique beauty. On clear days, the sea of clouds appears vast and distant, with the mountain peaks hidden, resembling silk brocade or flowing fat, continuous and graceful. As time passes and the mist settles, the peaks gradually emerge, looking like tiny islands or small boats adrift, ever-changing. Right after a sudden rain shower, the clouds appear in clusters and wisps, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing, drifting lightly and freely through the forests. As the clouds sweep by, the narrow paths and fields, as well as the thatched cottages, become clearly visible—it’s as the saying goes: “When clouds come, the mountain looks even better; when the mist clears, the mountain becomes a painting.”