Dragon Head Waterfall

Dragon Head Waterfall

Dragon Head Waterfall is located within Longnan County at the border between Taojiang Township of Longnan County and Longxiang Township of Quannan County. The Dragon Head Tourist Scenic Area stretches from Litouzui Wharf in the county town to Dragon Head Shoal and the Leigong Mountain Range, covering a planned area of 29 square kilometers.

Boarding a cruise boat from Litouzui at the western edge of the county town, you head downstream toward Dragon Head Shoal. As the boat enters the river, sparkling ripples spread across the water, and the scenery along both banks is breathtaking. Mountains, water, forests, shapes, sounds, and colors all blend into one. Traveling downstream along the river through the Nine Bends and Eighteen Shoals, you’ll encounter the Jade Fairy Rock on both banks—like a fairyland—and historic relics such as the centuries-old Dragon Head Pagoda and Dragon King Temple. There’s also the Five-Tiered Waterfall that cascades down dramatically. In total, there are 28 scenic spots that captivate visitors.

Located on the eastern bank of the Taojiang River, Jade Fairy Rock resembles a “stone flying in from the riverbank.” Here lies a cave called Yuxu Cave, which can accommodate hundreds of people. Inside the cave hang hanging stalactites and stalagmites, and the cave walls feature naturally formed rock formations resembling startled snakes and galloping elephants. In the 13th year of the Zhengde era (1519 AD) during the Ming Dynasty, Grand Secretary Wang Yangming (Wang Shouren), while “pacifying the Three Rulers,” visited this place and inscribed an essay on a stele inside Yuxu Cave, naming it “The Pacification Stele.”

Stele.

The Jade Fairy Rock cave is exquisitely crafted, a marvel of nature. With its “two uniquely marvelous caves, hard to leave once entered,” it is situated within the “Yangming Small Grotto Heaven.” At this site, inspired by the surroundings, poetic inspiration struck, resulting in the composition of five regulated poems at once. The cave houses 43 stone inscriptions personally written by Wang Yangming and other historic figures. These poetic stone engravings are enchanting and represent a rare cultural attraction.

After traveling about one kilometer, you begin to enter the Nine Bends and Eighteen Shoals. Here, jagged rocks jut from the river, waves are turbulent, and dangers abound. However, as the boat bobs along the rushing waters, you lose track of how many perilous shoals or deep pools you’ve passed. Some moments even evoke the poetic feeling of “ape cries heard on both shores unceasingly, yet the light boat has already passed ten thousand layered mountains.” After navigating five or six kilometers of waterway in just over half an hour, you arrive at the most treacherous shoal along the Taojiang River—the Dragon Head Shoal. Here, steep cliffs rise sharply on both banks, while massive rocks stand erect in the river, through which the surging waters rush forth like thousands of snow-white waves, reminiscent of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. No wonder people say, “If you lack seven-tenths of courage, dare you enter Dragon Head Shoal?”

When the boat reaches Dragon Head Shoal, the narrow river channel is filled with jagged hidden reefs, rapid currents, and surging waves, creating a spectacular sight. In ancient times, it was known as one of Longnan’s Eight Great Scenic Spots—“Dragon Head Snow Waves”—but was later destroyed by explosives due to navigation hazards. Legend has it that during the late Southern Song Dynasty, Zhong Kejun, a disciple of the patriotic general Wen Tianxiang, raised a volunteer army in Ganzhou to support Wen’s brave resistance against the Jin. Upon hearing of Wen’s defeat, Zhong disbanded the troops and returned to Longnan, where he committed suicide by jumping into the river at Dragon Head Shoal. This act demonstrated his unyielding bravery in the face of the Yuan invaders, earning him the title “Longnan’s Qu Yuan.”

Upon disembarking at Dragon Head Shoal Wharf, on the eastern bank stands a majestic and exquisitely built ancient structure—this is the Dragon King Temple. Facing south and built to face north, the temple was first constructed during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. It features a unique design, classic elegance, and an unusual structure. Despite enduring the test of time, this ancient Dragon King Temple has been preserved. From afar, it looks like a mirage rising against a backdrop of green hills and clear waters, inspiring contemplation and imagination. Up close, it resembles a vertical stele chronicling the trials of history and past glories. Above the temple’s main gate hangs a resplendent horizontal plaque inscribed with the three large characters “Dragon King Temple.” Inside, incense smoke curls upward, and a cool breeze blows, giving visitors an awe-inspiring and reverent feeling. The “Dragon King” sits solemnly at the center of the main hall, flanked by a pair of boy and girl attendants vividly depicted and imposing in presence. The four guardian deities—Rain Master, Wind Lord, Thunder Goddess, and Lightning Duke—have also been restored to their historical appearances. Even more thought-provoking is the couplet: “Summoning rain and wind, forever dwelling among men to bestow blessings; subduing demons and evil, long sheltering the people to ensure peace.”