Tianhe Valley

Tianhe Valley

The Tianhe Valley Scenic Area in Mount Lu is adjacent to Hanpo Mouth and lies in a valley just below Hanpo Pavilion, featuring a trapezoidal terrain. It is bordered by the Five Elders Peaks to the east, the Taiyi Peak and the Hanyang Peak to the west, and backed by Hanpo Mouth to the north, embraced by Mount Lu’s three main peaks, and faces due south.

The misty waters of Poyang Lake accumulate in Tianhe Valley, where the scenery undergoes significant changes within a single day. At times, light mist drifts softly; at others, the valley is shrouded in thick fog. When the clouds part, the sun rises in the east with dazzling clouds and rosy hues, offering views of Poyang Lake merging with the sky, and the ever-shifting mists and colored clouds of Tianhe Valley.

Facing south with its back to the north, Tianhe Valley enjoys warmth in winter and coolness in summer. It combines the advantages of a mountaintop location while avoiding the harshness of the highest peaks. Here, dense pine forests stand lush and proud atop the hills, with uniquely shaped pines growing between rocks and vast areas of massive boulders—typical features of Quaternary glacial landforms. From the small ladder-like trail on the peak of Qigu Stone, visitors can admire the sea of clouds and colorful clouds. Due to its proximity, the views here are more intimate, detailed, and clear compared to those from Hanpo Mouth. Even more remarkable is the waterfall that Li Bai once described as “the Milky Way pouring down from Three Stone Beams,” which cascades straight down with the forceful might of a heavenly river, dropping over 160 meters in one breathtaking, continuous flow—an awe-inspiring spectacle. Tianhe Valley is hailed as a blessed land of Mount Lu, encompassing the mountain’s seasonal beauty—all its elegance, clouds, waterfalls, and unique rocks are gathered here in one place.

Tianhe Valley is enveloped in a mystical aura, peaceful and auspicious. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as a blessed and divinely protected place. Li Bai wrote poems in its praise, Tao Yuanming gazed at this valley from the southern mountains; legend says the immortal Zhou Dian often stayed here to observe celestial signs, gathering good fortune to assist Zhu Yuanzhang’s success. This valley is also the setting for legendary tales involving Ming Dynasty’s founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the immortal Zhou Dian, and Liu Bowen. During a certain historical period, high-ranking party and government officials favored this valley as well—there is Soong Mei-ling’s little cottage and Bai Chongxi’s small building. Downhill from the valley lies the Eighteen Generals’ Villa Village.

The scenic area is connected by well-planned walking trails, offering a very reasonable and compact tour route. Though not large, it has three main entrances: from the mountain, visitors can descend the steps from Hanpo Mouth; from the central area, they can enter via a path from the Five Elders Peaks, ensuring a smooth and leisurely journey; from the base, hikers can climb up from Taiyi Village (Generals’ Village), reaching the site in about half an hour. This makes it suitable for a wide range of visitors with different interests.

The scenic area takes its natural landscape as the main thread. During development, attention was given to local folk characteristics to enrich the cultural depth of Mount Lu, while also highlighting a modern, people-oriented approach to tourism. The scenic area consists of five major landscape sections, seamlessly integrated and interconnected, making it a shining jewel of the greater Mount Lu region. As one visitor remarked: “Tianhe Valley is worth seeing—you won’t regret it for the rest of your life.”

The Tianhe Valley Scenic Area in Mount Lu is divided into five major zones: Mountain Village Charm, Qigu Peak Charm, Tianhe Cave Mansion (Glacial Boulders), Shiliang Waterfall, and Twin Rosy Clouds Bringing Blessings. There are also two long corridors: Elegance Through the Ages (Cultural Corridor) and Melon Shed Harvest (Fruit & Vegetable Scenery).