Lushan Peach Blossom Spring Scenic Area

Lushan Peach Blossom Spring Scenic Area

The Peach Blossom Spring Scenic Area is situated in Kangwang Valley on the eastern side of National Highway 105 at the southwestern foot of Mount Lu. Kangwang Valley, also known as Chuwang Valley, is commonly called Lushan Ridge. At the end of the Warring States period (223 BC), when the Qin dynasty overthrew the Chu, the Qin general Wang Jian breached the Chu capital Shouchun (Anhui Shouxian) and captured the last Chu king, Fuchu. A Chu prince then fled south with his family, eventually hiding deep within the secluded valleys of Lushan Ridge to escape disaster. He changed his surname from Xiong to Kang, preserving Chu traditions, and his descendants were posthumously honored as King Kang—hence the valley’s name.

Kangwang Valley is the largest valley on Mount Lu, stretching 12 kilometers northeast into the mountain’s interior, all the way to Han Yang Peak and beneath Shade-drying Rock. A stream runs through the valley, anciently called the Lu River. Lushan’s green peaks embrace the valley on both sides, veiled in mist and cloud, with peach groves along the creek, small bridges over flowing water, terraced fields, and well-aligned cottages. This area is very close to the former residence of Tao Yuanming in Lili and was a frequent passageway for him on his way to Donglin Temple to visit the Zen master Huiyuan, making it the artistic prototype of the “Peach Blossom Spring.”

The waters of Peach Spring originate from Shaociwo at the base of Han Yang Peak. On the southern slope of the peak, there is a waterfall that plunges a hundred meters from midair, resembling a giant curtain—this is the renowned “Number One Spring Under Heaven.” In ancient times called Guling Spring, it earned fame throughout history after being ranked “the finest under heaven” by Lu Yu, the Tea Sage of the Tang Dynasty, in his Classic of Tea. It has been celebrated in poetry by masters across dynasties, including Wang Wei, Bai Yuchan, and Ouyang Xiu.

Peach Blossom Spring is a newly restored and developed scenic area, covering approximately 20 square kilometers. Its landscape design highlights the artistic conception of the “Peach Blossom Spring” tale, embracing simplicity and authenticity. Along the stream, visitors can explore over a hundred attractions, such as Shan Yue Xuan (Mountain Moon Pavilion), Hui Ma Shi (Turning Horse Stone), Wen Jin Ting (Ferry Inquiry Pavilion), Tao Yuan Dong (Peach Spring Cave), Tong Xin Tan (Shared Heart Pool), En Tao An (Blessed Peach Nunnery), Ye Qu Gu (Wilderness Valley), Chuwang Cheng (Chu King City), King Kang Temple, Guan Pu Lu (Waterfall Viewing Path), and Yang Zhi Ting (Admiration Pavilion). The area also offers participatory tourism activities such as rafting. From April to May 2000, the New Century International Tea Conference of the Number One Spring Under Heaven was held here.

Traveling east from Guling Spring, you can climb Han Yang Peak. As the main peak of Mount Lu, Han Yang Peak rises 1,474 meters above sea level, standing majestically like a celestial umbrella. Legends say that Emperor Wu of Han, Qin Shi Huang, and Sima Qian all once ascended this peak. Standing atop Han Yang Peak feels like reaching the heavens, with panoramic views of Mount Lu’s various summits and the distant landscapes of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake.