Baxian Tianchi (Eight Immortals Heavenly Lake)

Baxian Tianchi is located in the Baxian Mountain area near Guanlu Village, Wuxuan Town, Wuxuan County, approximately 6 kilometers from the county seat. The mountain is roughly circular, covering an area of about 2 square kilometers, with an elevation of 313 meters. It is surrounded by eight peaks. Baxian Mountain is open and expansive on all sides, boasting picturesque farmland scenery. At a height of 68 meters above the ground, halfway up the mountain slope, lies a natural pool of crystal-clear water, resembling “eight immortals holding a jade plate,” hence the name Baxian Tianchi. It is also known as Baxian Pool, Dragon Pool, Immortal Lake, or Mysterious Lake. The pool is 150 meters long, 100 meters wide, and about 10 meters deep. It neither overflows during rain nor dries up in drought. The water is clean, dust-free, sweet-tasting, and drinkable. The clear blue water reflects the surrounding mountains and the sun and moon, creating ever-changing scenic views. Towering ancient trees and rare flowers and plants grow around the lake, yet not a single fallen leaf floats on the surface. Inside the pool, schools of live fish can be seen swimming, yet they never bite the bait—this has puzzled people for over a thousand years. With its ever-shifting scenery and enduring mystery, Baxian Tianchi has long attracted literati and scholars who have visited and composed poems about it. The Qing Dynasty scholar and successful candidate in the imperial examinations, Qin Xiancheng, once wrote: “The landscapes of Zhongliu surpass those of the southern land; to the east of Mabu Bridge stand the Eight Immortals. One breathes here, feeling connected to the heavens above; climbing here, one senses the unfathomable depths of the abyss. Clouds rise and bring rain as the dragon stirs; the moon shines brightly, undisturbed, as the jade rabbit sleeps. The legend of Jia Peng’s ascension to immortality is but a thing of the past; we now drink wine to cleanse the dust from our souls.”