Guanwang Lake

Guanwang Lake

The Guanwang Lake Water Conservancy Scenic Area is located in Liangyuan Township, Leiyang City, built around Guanwangtang Reservoir—one of the three major reservoirs in Leiyang. It is renowned for its picturesque lake and mountain scenery and grand water conservancy projects. Bordered by Anren County to the east and accessible via Provincial Highway 106, a secondary provincial road leads directly to the area, which lies 60 kilometers from downtown Leiyang. Construction began in November 1958. Originally named Guanwangtang, the lake got its name from a Guanwang Temple built on the shore by ancient people praying for favorable weather and safe passage for passing boats.

The Guanwang Lake Scenic Area boasts stunning landscapes—majestic green mountains with graceful, elegant peaks, and crystal-clear waters shimmering with radiance. As the saying goes: “Beautiful mountains and waters, serene paths; a painting unfolds before your eyes. Though people admire the Taihu Lake, they long for the upstream of Guanwang.” With its picturesque scenery, pleasant climate, spring-like waters, embracing mountains, and abundant natural beauty, Guanwang Lake is an ideal destination for vacationing, leisure, summer retreats, and convalescence. The scenic area is rich in resources: tranquil blue waters, striking emerald peaks, secluded islands, mysterious caves, cascading waterfalls and pools, century-old temples, enigmatic stone coffins, and vibrant folk culture. The diverse and well-arranged attractions offer endless fun, making it a perfect spot to enjoy sunshine, nature, and healthy travel. It’s also a high-end comprehensive tourist destination integrating dining, accommodation, entertainment, activities, and sightseeing.

(1) Azure Waters and Soaring Egrets

The waters of Guanwang Lake are crystal clear, sparkling under the sun, reflecting the clouds above and the surrounding greenery, blending the lake, mountains, and sky into a pure, unified whole—truly “autumn waters merging with the boundless sky.” The deep green hue is glossy and translucent, resembling a blushing maiden; the cool, refreshing water feels like melting ice from early spring. A gentle breeze ripples the surface, and boating on the lake may occasionally startle a dozen egrets dashing across the water—a scene reminiscent of Li Qingzhao’s line, “Row faster, row faster, startling a shoreful of gulls and herons.” During the egret breeding season, the Egret Mountain by the lake becomes a breathtaking sight as countless birds gather, their white forms blending with the foliage in a vast, misty panorama.

“The shimmering waters and surrounding hills seem to embrace you, their endless beauty beyond words.” The vast lake surface of Guanwang is a brilliant, azure blue, pristine and sparkling, its ripples like delicate folds in silk—exceptionally vibrant and pleasing to the eye. Against the backdrop of green mountains, blue waters, and white clouds, the shimmering light creates a dazzling spectacle. Especially at dusk, golden sunlight spills onto the water, each gleaming shard catching the light as if cloaking the lake in a golden hue. A soft breeze stirs the surface, sending waves of golden ripples across the expanse in a resplendent display.

The lake is dotted with islands, some submerged, others emerging, appearing and disappearing like mirages. The surrounding shores are encircled by rugged mountains, crisscrossed with ravines and winding paths. Cicadas and cranes chirp, egrets dance in flight, bees and butterflies flutter, fish play in the shallows, ducks float on the water, and colorful fish dart beneath the surface. The fresh air drifts on the breeze, invigorating the senses, lifting the spirit, and transporting visitors to a heavenly realm where all worldly thoughts fade away.

(2) Verdant Peaks, Bountiful Splendor

Surrounded by mountains and layers of lush green peaks, Guanwang Lake offers pleasant scenery year-round—you can admire exotic flowers in spring, view sea of clouds in summer, watch sunrises in autumn, and enjoy snowy landscapes in winter. Among the peaks, Yuanming Mountain stands out with its exceptional beauty. The mountain enjoys fresh air, a pleasant climate, and a thriving ecosystem, with forest vegetation coverage exceeding 98%. At 848 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in Leiyang. Ascending to the summit, you’re greeted by swirling clouds and a sense of ethereal transcendence. The panoramic view is so breathtaking that it inspires the feeling of “having climbed to the very peak, all other mountains appear small.” The mountain’s scenery varies by season, each offering unique charm: in spring, sunlight filters through willow-lined shores, and waves dance with the rhythm of tides; in summer, mist shrouds wooden bridges, and green shadows float over red blooms; in autumn, water and sky merge into one, and birds soar high; in winter, the landscape is draped in silvery white, and a lone angler braves the cold river. The surrounding forests are dense and vibrant, with trees of all shapes and sizes—some towering straight, others climbing like vines, coiling like dragons, or lying prone on the ground. Evergreen pines and bamboos thrive year-round, alongside camphor and moso bamboo, interspersed with persimmon, camphor, and maple trees. Azaleas, maple leaves, sunflowers, and white thorn bushes blanket the mountain. The area also boasts many precious medicinal herbs and exotic wild fruits. A centuries-old camphor tree, over 300 years old, stands with an exceptionally thick trunk that requires at least five people to encircle. Yuanming Mountain’s serene environment, shaded by lush pines, is an ideal habitat for wildlife such as muntjacs, serows, wild oxen, pheasants, rabbits, bamboo rats, and hedgehogs.

The mountaintop is flat, offering an excellent spot for moon viewing on clear nights. Tourists who stand atop the peak to admire the moon experience a unique charm not found at ground level. The bright moon hangs in the sky, casting silver light that makes the scenery exceptionally radiant. Even after the moon sets, its lingering glow remains. As described in a poem by Ming Dynasty’s Sun Ying’ao: “Though the moon’s radiance fades elsewhere, here its brilliance lingers low.” One can only imagine the profound beauty of the scene. When fog rolls in, the mountain sinks into a sea of clouds, with peaks clothed in vapor, drifting in and out of view. Visitors feel as though they’ve entered a dreamlike realm, floating as if immortal, experiencing the sensation of “where the sea ends, the sky becomes the shore; atop the highest peak, I am the mountain.” Occasionally, clear springs emerge from the mountainside, their sweet, pristine water flowing with a gentle murmur, accompanied by birdsong. Breathing in the floral scents that waft through the air is intoxicating, transporting one to a heavenly or Buddhist realm, the spirit soaring freely.

(3) Exploring the Mysteries of Longtan Waterfall

Longtan is a waterfall pool located southeast of Guanwang Lake, featuring a water pool, caves, streams, and unique rocks—an unpolluted, undisturbed paradise like a fairyland. The pool covers about 60 square meters, with a depth of over five meters. Its waters are crystal clear, smooth as jade, and naturally formed. The waterfall drops over 50 meters from a steep cliff, resembling a Milky Way pouring down from the heavens when viewed from afar. As it crashes into the deep pool, the splashing droplets scatter like jade fragments, and mist rises in abundance. The waterfall is majestic and spectacular, its curtain-like flow and flying droplets leaving visitors awestruck, as if witnessing the famed “thirty-thousand-foot descent.” On sunny days, rainbows arc over the water curtain, creating a dazzling spectacle. The pool is home to many natural stone carp, happily swimming in the shallow waters. Upstream from Longtan lies the winding “Forty-Eight Bends” stream. “The mountain scenery delights the birds; the reflections soothe the heart.” In leisure moments, scooping up a handful of the icy stream water and tasting it brings a natural sweetness, inspiring reflections akin to the sentiment: “Alas, the wise have passed, but this water is truly my teacher.”

The entrance to Longtan Cave lies hidden beneath a cliff, concealed within greenery, with hanging vines, sprawling thorny bushes, and wildflowers forming a floral crown. When the wind blows, the green branches and vines sway gently, along with the thorns and blossoms, creating a serene atmosphere. Outside the cave, bamboo and trees encircle the area, with muffled echoes and rustling sounds. The narrow entrance requires sidestepping to enter, and while only the sound of rushing water can be heard, the sensation of water surging beneath one’s feet is palpable. Further in, the sound fades, the ground becomes soft with sand, and the water noise returns. Following the sound leads to a sudden expanse of clear, bubbling water, gradually widening and accelerating, growing deeper and narrower. Passing through a small cave opens into a hall-like chamber, with water flowing around it and thunderous waves echoing. Inside the cave, stalactites take on various shapes—resembling cups, bowls, fish, turtles, seashells, coral, fishermen in boats, and celestial robes dancing. Crabs, shrimp, and pearl oysters create the illusion of an underwater dragon palace, an astonishing wonder. Outside the stone walls, the sound of spring water tinkles like a zither or lute, captivating the heart, echoing the poet Wang Zaijin’s words: “The cave’s radiant light never sleeps; those who tread the void enter a crystal palace.” The enchanting Longtan Cave, like a celestial palace, captivates the imagination.

The waters of Longtan flow gently

(4) Unique Folk Culture

Hidden deep within Yuanming Mountain, the ancient Yuanming Village consists of over a hundred households nestled among emerald peaks. The village features gray-tiled wooden houses interspersed with bluish stone paths, bridges, and walls, exuding a harmonious, tranquil beauty that feels peaceful and secluded. The villagers raise yellow cattle in a unique way—free-range grazing without pens, resulting in exceptionally tender and flavorful meat. Here, visitors can also enjoy authentic farmhouse cuisine, entirely green and pollution-free, with delicious colors, aromas, and tastes. Signature dishes like “Stewed Fresh Fish with Straw Mushrooms,” “White Jade and Emerald” (cabbage and tofu), “Stir-Fried Bamboo Rats,” “Sautéed Muntjac,” and “White Wugu Water Ducks” offer distinctive flavors and textures, attracting diners with their enticing aromas and leaving them fully satisfied.

(5) Ancient Lanterns and Buddhist Statues in a Century-Old Temple

Originally named Guanyin Hall, Guanwang Temple is located at the foot of Taishan Chong, south of Guanwang Lake, with a history spanning over a hundred years. Legend says that in ancient times, the nearby lake was often turbulent, prompting villagers to raise funds to build Guanyin Hall to pray for the Bodhisattva’s protection for peace and prosperity. After the temple was completed, it proved effective, and incense offerings have continued ever since. Pilgrims, anglers, and poets seeking solitude flocked to the site. Over time, due to oral tradition and homophonic confusion, the temple came to be called Guanwang Temple, a name that has endured.

“A winding path leads to a secluded spot, where a Zen hall nestles deep among flowers and trees.” The temple is surrounded by lush pines and bamboos that block out the sun, with quiet paths, murmuring streams, and birdsong—making it an ideal retreat for meditation and summer escapes. “The chirping of cicadas makes the forest seem quieter; the birdsong renders the mountains even more serene.” Guanwang Temple is completely free from urban noise, enveloped in a silence so profound it feels almost ethereal. Even the evening drumbeats, morning bells, birdsongs, or summer cicadas seem to underscore the tranquility, proving its absolute stillness. In front of the temple, dense green woods, tall pines, and slender bamboos rise amid swirling purple mist, creating an expansive, serene atmosphere. Behind the temple lies an ancient well that never overflows in prolonged rain or dries up in droughts, with water known for its health benefits—an extraordinary feature.

(6) Marvelous Natural Stone Coffins

The Guanwang Lake Scenic Area features a famous sight—the ancient stone coffin and stone boat. The stone coffin is located at Yuanming’ao, while the stone boat is found in Huling Ancient Village. Seeing them, one can’t help but marvel at the wonders of nature. The coffin and boat are entirely natural, incredibly lifelike, unaltered or carved in any way—truly a masterpiece of nature’s craftsmanship. A poignant legend surrounds these formations. Long ago, at the foot of Yuanming Mountain, a small village was home to a beautiful maiden who secretly fell in love with a young man. Just as they were to marry, a rebellion broke out, and the court conscripted soldiers. The young man enlisted and went to the front lines. Before departing, they pledged to marry upon his return. While he was away, the maiden often stood under a peach tree at the village entrance, longing for his return. One day, a lecherous county magistrate saw the maiden and tried to harass her. She fled in fear, and he chased her to a cliff edge, where she had no escape. In desperation, she jumped off the cliff. The magistrate grabbed at her dress, tearing it off, but the maiden fell into the abyss.

When the war ended, the young man returned as a decorated general, eager to marry his beloved, only to learn of her tragic fate. Heartbroken, he turned white-haired overnight. He buried her dress on the cliff and erected a cenotaph, keeping vigil each night, hoping for her spirit’s return. “Sincerity moves heaven and earth.” Moved by his undying love, the general was reportedly told in a dream to go at midnight to welcome her, but they must meet again at dawn. Leaving his heavy armor behind, the general rushed to the meeting place, and they were reunited. Suddenly, fierce winds and lightning struck, and amid thunderclaps, the maiden and general ascended to immortality, vanishing forever. Their earthly dress and armor transformed into the stone coffin and stone boat, giving rise to this touching legend.

Guanwang Lake boasts stunning scenery, combining mountains, water, forests, rocks, pools, islands, and temples, embodying the essence of the extraordinary, the beautiful, the perilous, the serene, the ancient, the pristine, and the unparalleled. The area is covered in blooming flowers and lush trees, with winding paths leading to hidden wonders. Waterfalls cascade with thunderous power, painting vibrant rainbows; mighty dams bless future generations, showcasing the spectacle of emerald mountains and jade-like lakes. The beautiful and mystical lake and mountain scenery of Guanwang Lake will continue to attract endless streams of visitors. It will become our proudest shining jewel, creating a brighter future for us all.

Liangyuan Township: Located in the northeastern part of Leiyang City, Liangyuan Township borders Anren County to the east and is 55 kilometers from the city center. Legend says a wide stone bridge was once built here, called the “Letting-People Bridge.” Over time, the name evolved phonetically into “Liangyuan Bridge.” In 1995, during a district and township merger, four villages—Jimi, Huling, Yusheng, and Yuanming—from the former Pingtian Township were incorporated into Liangyuan Township. The township covers approximately 106 square kilometers, with 16 villages, 176 villager groups, and a total population of 21,000. It has 1,546 hectares of arable land and produces 21,000 tons of grain. Crops include Xiang… More details about Liangyuan Township++