Scenic Views of the Mi River

Scenic Views of the Mi River

The Mi River Scenic Area is a national water conservancy scenic spot.

The Mi River Scenic Belt is a provincial-level scenic area, situated in the lower reaches of the Mi River section in Hengdong County. It originates from the Zhishan Mountain Range in Yanling County at the western foothills of the Luoxiao Mountain Range. Its source is the Mausoleum of Emperor Yan, the resting place of the ancestors of the Chinese nation, and also the cradle of the Chinese revolution—Jinggangshan. Hence, the Mi River is also known as the “River of History” and the “Red River.” The Mi River is a crystal-clear, unpolluted river untouched by industrial development. The exceptional quality of its water is rare throughout the province and even the nation, consistently maintaining a Class II or higher water quality standard.

The Mi River drifting experience begins upstream from the Ganxi Dam and continues upstream by boat all the way to Caoshi Town, spanning fifty li along the river. Major attractions include: Ganxi Dam, Yuanbao Grand View, the riverside market town of Xiapu, Longyan Cave, Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl, Xiao Family Ancestral House, Lion Playing with a Ball, Tanjiangkou Fishing Village, Scholar Viewing the Imperial List, Li Daoyuan’s Fishing Platform, Yan Guang Twin Temples, Xiyan Fairy Cave, and Lingshan Old Temple, among over 20 other sites. Beautiful legends add an air of mystery to the scenic belt, while the profound history captivates the imagination and leaves visitors lingering in awe.

Originating from Zhishannao in Yanling County at the foot of Jinggangshan, the Mi River flows through six towns and three townships within Hengdong County, covering a length of 72.5 kilometers. The river features three dams: Ronghuan, Ganxi, and Yangtang. Along its course, there are picturesque landscapes and abundant scenic spots, such as the citrus base at Baimaozhou, the scenic beauty of Lingshan, Taiping Temple, Yan Guang Temple, Scholar Viewing the Imperial List, Lion Playing with the Golden Toad, Penholder Peak, General Temple, Yangshan Shrine, and Leixi Double Moon. Huang Tingjian, a renowned literary figure and calligrapher of the Northern Song Dynasty, once composed the following verse after traveling along the Mi River at Cishige in Taiping Temple:

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“A clear glassy basin holds a thousand peaks, the Jiang and Xiang waters run clear through ancient times and now. Where can one cleanse their eyes to see it all? Temporarily ascending the Flying Pavilion of Taiping. The morning sun is unheard beneath official canopies, yet in Foolish Stream, only the shadows of ancient trees are seen. Who can cleanse the sorrow of nostalgia? Seated with good company, I drink not alone!”

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Xu Xiake, the great late Ming geographer and writer, also left detailed travel records about the Mi River in his famous work “The Travels of Xu Xiake.” The Qing Dynasty poet Liu Zhenwu, moved by the picturesque scenery of Lingshan, wrote a poem titled “Lingshan Panorama”:

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“Beyond the seventy-two famed peaks, Lingshan holds a world apart. Ancient nanmu trees shade the cold sunlight, strange rocks echo the murmuring springs. Dense forests hide secluded hermitages, deep clouds veil immortal caves. When night falls, bells hush toward stillness, as wind and moon bathe the river and sky.”