Tiangong Mountain Forest Park

Tiangong Mountain Forest Park

Tiangong Mountain Forest Park is the only provincial-level forest park in Lixian County. Located by the Censhui River, it borders Jinluo to the southeast, Wangjiachang Reservoir to the south, Zhakou to the northwest, and the southern part of Songzi in Hubei Province to the north, belonging to the Wuling Mountain Range. Originally a state-owned Tiangong Mountain Forest Farm, it was approved as a provincial forest park in March 1992 and officially opened in July 1994. The park covers a total area of 732 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 85%.

The main scenic areas of the park include Fairy Cave, Lady Fortress, and Tiangong Temple. Fairy Cave has three levels, covering an area of 20,000 square meters, with breathtaking and naturally sculpted wonders inside. Lady Fortress is where Lady Gao, wife of Li Zicheng, set up camp after his defeat in the south. The mountain is steep and rugged, with well-preserved ancient battle sites, military camps, horse-watering wells, training grounds, and dismounting stones. Tiangong Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that a stone splashed down here when the Goddess Nüwa was mending the sky with stones—it resembles rice and never runs out, providing for the people, hence the names of the mountain and temple.

Fairy Cave Scenic Area: This area consists of Fairy Cave, Fairy Cave Archway, Meeting Immortals Bridge, Child-Receiving Pavilion, Stele Forest, Incense Burner, and more. The cave is named after the beautiful myth of Dong Yong and the Seven Fairies. Its entrance is shaded by lush trees and vines, beside which stands an ancient tree rooted in a huge rock. Its branches align with the cave’s direction, thus earning the name “Guide Tree.” Inside the cave, the air is cool and refreshing all year round. The cave has three levels, all interconnected, with winding branches forming a labyrinth. The space alternates between vast chambers and narrow, twisting passages. The highest point of the cave ceiling reaches over 30 meters, and the widest area can accommodate thousands of people, while the narrowest parts require crawling on hands and knees. The full depth of the cave remains unknown; even torches don’t fully illuminate it. Exploring the cave requires careful steps on slippery, wet ground. Water droplets fall from above with no clear source, and the sound of flowing water echoes from indiscernible directions. Deep valleys and cliffs loom beneath and ahead, making every step feel precarious. Going alone is extremely difficult; occasional cold drafts send chills down your spine. When exploring in groups, bring chalk and ropes to mark your way back or handle emergencies. The cave contains an underground river where fish swim around your feet and bats brush your head. The river flows ceaselessly, its end and source unknown. Stalactites and stalagmites protrude from the walls and ceiling, taking on fantastical shapes that match local legends, sparking the imagination. Notable sights inside include Sky Book Rock, Locust Shade Tree, Couple Rocks, Cloud Brocade Covering the Sky, Bedroom, Fairy Bed, Rainbow Robes, Brocade Weaving Room, Fairy Pool, Golden Bell Exorcising Demons, Heart-Nourishing Hall, Nine Heavens Waterfall, Laundry Pool, Narrow Crevice, Old Taoist Delivering Decree, Sky Bridge, Milk Cave Dragon Pearl, Southern Heaven Palace, and South Sea Guanyin, among others—all exquisitely lifelike.

Lady Fortress Scenic Area: Centered around Lady Fortress, this area includes the Gathering Hall, Commander’s Room, Generals’ Quarters, Barracks, Drill Ground, Trenches, Drawbridge, and Watchtower. The fortress sits atop a perilously steep mountain with towering rocks and dense ancient woods at its base. From afar, the site commands a majestic view of deep valleys and ravines. Rising abruptly from the northern edge of the Lixiang Plain, it has long been a strategic military location. According to records, it was named after Lady Gao, who held the fort here for 17 years following Li Zicheng’s southern retreat. The site and intact trenches remain preserved to this day.

Tiangong Mountain Scenic Area: This area features attractions such as Tiangong Stone, Stone Mortar, Copper Coin Temple, Sun-Viewing Pavilion, Moon-Watching Platform, Camphor Tree Pavilion, and Bamboo Grove Pavilion. Tiangong Temple was initially built during the Tang Dynasty and was a popular Buddhist site for worship before liberation. Legend says there was a stone mortar on the mountain peak that produced endless rice—enough for one person per day—which helped many poor people, hence the name “Tiangong Mountain” (Heavenly-Supplied Mountain) and the temple. The mortar still exists, and the temple gate remains. In recent years, locals have voluntarily rebuilt the temple on the original site, ensuring the continuity of worship.

Within the park, visitors are greeted by endless green mountains, vibrant and flowing in color, with birds soaring gracefully overhead. The steady flow of tourists makes it an exceptional destination for exploration and historical discovery—an opportunity not to be missed.