Jiulong Lake Tourist Scenic Area

Jiulong Lake Tourist Scenic Area

Jiulong Lake Tourist Scenic Area is a national wetland park.

Jiulong Lake Tourist Scenic Area is located in Mazhenfu Township, 25 kilometers southeast of Tanghe County. A dedicated tourist highway built from the Shahepu section of National Highway 312 leads directly to the scenic area, offering very convenient transportation. Nestled among rolling mountains, the area governs a drainage basin of 199 square kilometers. Boating on the shimmering lake surface, you’ll see dramatic peaks and exquisite rocks along the shores, where the blue waters blend seamlessly with the sky. Herons gather and cry out amid the greenery, while the fragrance of gardenias drifts on the breeze. In the narrow sections, it feels like cruising down the Li River or entering the Three Gorges; in the open areas, it’s as beautiful as West Lake and as charming as Dongting Lake. It’s a captivating aquatic world and a delightful water-themed paradise.

Jiulong Lake governs a drainage basin of 199 square kilometers, with a maximum water level of 142.46 meters. Lush green mountains stretch along both shores, accompanied by the sound of rustling forests, birdsong, and floral scents. The harmonious blend of landscape and water creates a magnificent scene, best described as: “Mountains glide on the water while boats slice through the waves; the Dajian Mountain offers四季scenery, with lotuses seemingly holding up the ninth heaven.”

There are 23 steep and elegant peaks along the lakeshore. Among them, the most scenic are Dajian Mountain and Shizhu Mountain, with elevations of 750.8 meters and 660.7 meters respectively. These peaks were formed during the late Tertiary period due to frequent tectonic movements in the Nanyang Basin. Numerous rugged peaks, cliffs, and canyons merge with Hushan Reservoir, creating a picturesque and dynamic scene reminiscent of a three-dimensional traditional Chinese painting.

The scenic area features unique rock formations. Layers of grayish-green basalt, granite, yellow and white quartz sandstone, conglomerate, along with some marble and bluestone, have been shaped by nature through processes such as transportation, faulting, cutting, weathering, and exposure. These elements come together seamlessly, exposing the rock surfaces and forming textures such as hemp-fiber, unraveling-knot, and axe-split patterns, all of which offer striking aesthetic and artistic value. Rivers, streams, pools, and springs: The area boasts not only diverse and spectacular mountains, geology, and landforms, but also crisscrossing rivers, murmuring streams, and gurgling springs. Within the region, the Chou River, Longgong River, Yang River, Qingshui River, and Qi River all flow from south to north into Hushan Reservoir. The Chou River originates in Zaoyang, Hubei Province, passing through Guandi, Guoqiao, and Yaohu villages in Mazhenfu Township before entering the reservoir. It stretches 22 kilometers in length with a drainage area of 280 square kilometers, and is a perennial river with a maximum flow of 450 cubic meters per second during the rainy season. The Longgong River originates from Dajian Mountain, Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), and the Goddess Peak, flowing through Qianzhuang in Mazhenfu Township into the reservoir. Springs in the area include Fantong Spring, Linquan Fountain, Deep Spring at the Top of Shizhu Mountain, Tianchi, Haoniú Spring, Heilong Pool, Huanglong Pool, and Bibo Pool. Canyons feature attractions such as Yingchoujian in the upper reaches of the Dahegou, Yixiantian (One-Line Sky), and Guimen Guan (Ghost Gate Pass) and Jiming Gorge in the Xiaohégou. Waterfalls include the Baiyun Waterfall, which flows from the top of Dajian Mountain through Baiyun Cliff, and the Yixian Waterfall originating from the Goddess Peak of Tianchi.

The area is rich in flora and fauna. It currently has 168.28 square kilometers of forested land, hosting over 2,000 plant species. Key flowers include chrysanthemums, gardenias, azaleas, honeysuckle, camellias, cyclamen, winter jasmine, plum blossoms, narcissus, salvia splendens, and clivia, totaling 34 varieties. There are also over 200 types of medicinal herbs such as bupleurum, platycodon, and salvia. Aquatic animals in the reservoir include carp, grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, crucian carp, white amur, common carp, crucian carp, black carp, catfish, yellowcheek, softshell turtles, shrimp, and crabs. Among these, 13 species are considered medicinal, such as scorpions, centipedes, ground beetles, and pangolins. The area is also home to nationally protected animals including the Chinese giant salamander, otter, and musk deer. Key bird species number 42, such as eagles, vultures, red-crowned cranes, larks, and snow buntings. The abundant bird, mammal, and fish resources add dynamic scenery and economic value to the scenic area.

Jiulong Lake Tourist Scenic Area is located in Mazhenfu Township, 25 kilometers southeast of Tanghe County. A dedicated tourist highway built from the Shahepu section of National Highway 312 leads directly to the scenic area, offering very convenient transportation. Nestled among rolling mountains, the area governs a drainage basin of 199 square kilometers. Boating on the shimmering lake surface, you’ll see dramatic peaks and exquisite rocks along the shores, where the blue waters blend seamlessly with the sky. Herons gather and cry out amid the greenery, while the fragrance of gardenias drifts on the breeze. In the narrow sections, it feels like cruising down the Li River or entering the Three Gorges; in the open areas, it’s as beautiful as West Lake and as charming as Dongting Lake. It’s a captivating aquatic world and a delightful water-themed paradise.

Jiulong Lake governs a drainage basin of 199 square kilometers, with a maximum water level of 142.46 meters. Lush green mountains stretch along both shores, accompanied by the sound of rustling forests, birdsong, and floral scents. The harmonious blend of landscape and water creates a magnificent scene, best described as: “Mountains glide on the water while boats slice through the waves; the Dajian Mountain offers四季scenery, with lotuses seemingly holding up the ninth heaven.”

There are 23 steep and elegant peaks along the lakeshore. Among them, the most scenic are Dajian Mountain and Shizhu Mountain, with elevations of 750.8 meters and 660.7 meters respectively. These peaks were formed during the late Tertiary period due to frequent tectonic movements in the Nanyang Basin. Numerous rugged peaks, cliffs, and canyons merge with Hushan Reservoir, creating a picturesque and dynamic scene reminiscent of a three-dimensional traditional Chinese painting.

The scenic area features unique rock formations. Layers of grayish-green basalt, granite, yellow and white quartz sandstone, conglomerate, along with some marble and bluestone, have been shaped by nature through processes such as transportation, faulting, cutting, weathering, and exposure. These elements come together seamlessly, exposing the rock surfaces and forming textures such as hemp-fiber, unraveling-knot, and axe-split patterns, all of which offer striking aesthetic and artistic value. Rivers, streams, pools, and springs: The area boasts not only diverse and spectacular mountains, geology, and landforms, but also crisscrossing rivers, murmuring streams, and gurgling springs. Within the region, the Chou River, Longgong River, Yang River, Qingshui River, and Qi River all flow from south to north into Hushan Reservoir. The Chou River originates in Zaoyang, Hubei Province, passing through Guandi, Guoqiao, and Yaohu villages in Mazhenfu Township before entering the reservoir. It stretches 22 kilometers in length with a drainage area of 280 square kilometers, and is a perennial river with a maximum flow of 450 cubic meters per second during the rainy season. The Longgong River originates from Dajian Mountain, Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), and the Goddess Peak, flowing through Qianzhuang in Mazhenfu Township into the reservoir. Springs in the area include Fantong Spring, Linquan Fountain, Deep Spring at the Top of Shizhu Mountain, Tianchi, Haoniú Spring, Heilong Pool, Huanglong Pool, and Bibo Pool. Canyons feature attractions such as Yingchoujian in the upper reaches of the Dahegou, Yixiantian (One-Line Sky), and Guimen Guan (Ghost Door Pass) and Jiming Gorge in the Xiaohégou. Waterfalls include the Baiyun Waterfall, which flows from the top of Dajian Mountain through Baiyun Cliff, and the Yixian Waterfall originating from the Goddess Peak of Tianchi.

The area is rich in flora and fauna. It currently has 168.28 square kilometers of forested land, hosting over 2,000 plant species. Key flowers include chrysanthemums, gardenias, azaleas, honeysuckle, camellias, cyclamen, winter jasmine, plum blossoms, narcissus, salvia splendens, and clivia, totaling 34 varieties. There are also over 200 types of medicinal herbs such as bupleurum, platycodon, and salvia. Aquatic animals in the reservoir include carp, grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, crucian carp, white amur, common carp, crucian carp, black carp, catfish, yellowcheek, softshell turtles, shrimp, and crabs. Among these, 13 species are considered medicinal, such as scorpions, centipedes, ground beetles, and pangolins. The area is also home to nationally protected animals including the Chinese giant salamander, otter, and musk deer. Key bird species number 42, such as eagles, vultures, red-crowned cranes, larks, and snow buntings. The abundant bird, mammal, and fish resources add dynamic scenery and economic value to the scenic area.