Danjiang Zuochan Valley Scenic Area

Danjiang Zuochan Valley Scenic Area

Danjiang Zuochan Valley Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Located in the verdant mountains and dense woods one kilometer northeast of Xiangyan Temple on the western shore of the Danjiang Reservoir, lies a mystical mountain-valley landscape — Zuochan Valley. It was named after the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Master Huizhong, who frequently brought his disciples here to practice meditation. The valley lies east of Xiangbi Mountain and west of Qinglong Mountain, stretching over 40 li between two towering ranges with precipitous cliffs. With breathtaking scenery at every turn — a picturesque view every five steps, a serene pool every ten — its bubbling springs, cascading waterfalls, captivating rock formations, and deep emerald forests create a naturally stunning landscape, making it a rare gem of mountain-valley scenery in the Central Plains region.

The valley offers ever-changing views that are overwhelmingly beautiful, enchanting visitors to the point of never wanting to leave. It boasts over 40 renowned scenic spots, including the largest spring in Henan Province — Dragon King Spring; rare large-scale rust-colored rock formations such as Thousand Buddha Cliff and Wall-Facing Cliff; the foremost ancient mountain stronghold in the Central Plains — Ancient Chu Stronghold; the largest primeval forest in southwestern Henan — Mujia Valley Primeval Forest; and a large leisure area centered around fishing and entertainment — Julong Lake. Other highlights include Self-Hanging Morning Sunlight, Ancient Plank Roads, Buddha’s Light Waterfall, Water Curtain Cave, and Sky-Reach Cave, among others. It is primarily a natural mountain-valley landscape destination, seamlessly integrating Buddhist culture, mountain-water culture, and ancient stronghold culture. The area offers a perfect blend of leisure, exploration, and scientific study, making it an ideal spot for sightseeing, poetry, painting, gatherings, banquets, worship, prayer, releasing living creatures, meditation, enlightenment, exploration, and archaeology. For thousands of years, this place has been steeped in thrilling historical legends left behind by monks, strategists, and royalty. Its mysterious and diverse mountain-water scenery has attracted countless literati and artists, leaving behind a wealth of brilliant literary works. Currently, the Zuochan Valley Scenic Area is striving to be upgraded to a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

Warm Reminder:

The highlights of Zuochan Valley are at the two ends — the Buddha’s Light Waterfall and the Lotus Water System — with limited scenic value in the middle section. The Buddha’s Light Waterfall is the crowning jewel of the entire scenic area, exceptionally beautiful, and such waterfalls are very rare in the Central Plains. The two temples along the way are not worth visiting, especially the Sky-Reach Cave; climbing the ladder inside is quite exhausting, and if you choose not to backtrack upon exiting, taking the outer path will simply lead you back to the main entrance of the scenic area. It is recommended that visitors follow the main route first, and if time and energy permit, check out the two temples on the return trip.

Address: Cangfang Town, Xichuan County, Nanyang City

Type: Mountain

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours

Tel: 0377-69385959; 0377-69385958

Opening Hours:

7:00-17:00

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 60.0 RMB

Adult Ticket: 60 RMB. Children under 1.3 meters are admitted free of charge; seniors aged 70 and above can enter for free with valid ID. Children between 1.3–1.4 meters purchase half-price child tickets; seniors aged 60 and above receive a 50% discount with a senior ID.

Source: Henan Provincial Tourism Administration