Taiyi Village

Taiyi Village

The Taiyi Village scenic area is located at the foot of Taiyi Peak west of Hanpo Mouth, nestled beside the ancient mountain hiking trail to the south. Legend has it that the ancient Taoist master Taiyi Zhenren became immortal here. Situated at an altitude of over 800 meters, the area is embraced by peaks, enjoys mild winters and cool summers, and is surrounded by bamboo groves that create a serene environment. From here, visitors can enjoy close-up views of the surrounding peaks and distant vistas of Poyang Lake, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats and leisure.

In 1992, seven retired generals of Cantonese origin, including Zeng Wangui, Liu Yigong, and Gu Cengbing, initiated the construction of villas here. Later, more than ten others joined the effort. By the early 1930s, senior military officers such as Chiang Kai-shek, Cai Tingkai, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Wu Qiwu, Yan Zhong, and Li Ruzhuo had built 18 villas in the area, which were collectively named Taiyi Village, also known as "Generals’ Village." The village was fortified with watchtowers and bunkers, and its winding stone paths led through a network of pavilions and uniquely styled yet harmoniously colored villas with elegant names such as Wan’an, Ben She, Song Zhuang, Sanliu Chao, and Ai Lu. Notable figures such as Kang Youwei, Feng Yuxiang, Hu Zongnan, Bai Chongxi, Li Siguang, and Chiang Ching-kuo once stayed here. The Taiyi Village villa complex was damaged by the Japanese army during the War of Resistance against Japan. Some of the generals who resided in Taiyi Village later became celebrated resistance fighters, while others joined the People’s Liberation Army. In 1984, restoration and expansion of Taiyi Village began. The village now features amenities such as a conference hall, dance hall, martial arts training ground, swimming pool, Qiong Pool, Fengdao Garden, Taiyi Stone, and Mengzhong Stone. A road below the village connects via Guanyin Bridge to Jiuxing Road, making it a popular destination for vacationing, conferences, and tourism.

The cable car from Taiyi Village to Hanpo Mouth is 825 meters long with an elevation difference of 378 meters, and the journey between the upper and lower stations takes just 7 minutes. It provides a convenient shortcut between the mountaintop area of Lushan and its southern foothills. Riding the cable car also offers sweeping views of the peaks to the south of the mountain and the scenery of Poyang Lake.

To the north of Taiyi Village lies Taiyi Peak, situated centrally among other peaks such as Wulao, Hanyang, and Jiuqi, resembling the Taiyi constellation in the night sky — hence its name. To the west of Taiyi Village is the Jiuqi Peak scenic area, which features attractions such as Tian Shu Bi (Heavenly Book Cliff), Jiuqi Pavilion, and Taiyi Palace. West of Taiyi Palace, a mountain path leads up to Jiuqi Peak. Commonly known as Flame Mountain, Jiuqi Peak is home to nine striking rock formations that stand proudly against the sky, creating a fairytale-like landscape. Legend has it that Emperor Qin Shi Huang once climbed this peak. Today, it has been chosen as a filming location for TV dramas such as "The Heavenly Match" and "Journey to the West."

To the east of Taiyi Village, an ancient stone path winds through the woods leading to Hanpo Mouth. To the east of this path lies Baishui Cao, part of the Jinlu Waterfall scenic area. The stream at Baishui Cao originates from below Hanpo Ridge and features two waterfalls — an upper waterfall known as Zhaikou Waterfall, now called the Seven-Colored Waterfall, and a lower waterfall that is extremely difficult to access, known as the San Shi Liang Waterfall. The Ming Dynasty scholar Liu Tongsheng wrote "Record of the Three Stone Beams of Lushan," and the line in Li Bai’s poetry “The Silver River hangs upside down over the Three Stone Beams” refers to this waterfall.