Dingshan Lake Tourist Area

Dingshan Lake Tourist Area

Dingshan Lake Tourist Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

I. Overview of the Scenic Area

Dingshan Lake is located in Dingshan Town, Qijiang, and is a high-altitude lake-type scenic tourism area that combines cultural and natural landscapes. Situated at an altitude of 899 meters with a lake surface area of 4.6 million square meters, Dingshan Lake boasts a cool summer climate, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats and reconnecting with nature. It is known as the "First Lake of Borderland Sentiment between Chongqing and Guizhou." The renowned painter Martin once praised Dingshan Lake as having "clouds as wondrous as paintings and waters whose sounds resemble a zither." The tourist area features well-developed infrastructure, with guesthouses, villas, and lodges rich in the unique charm of the Chongqing-Guizhou borderland.

II. Individual Attractions

Tortoise Mountain: The mountain is shaped like a tortoise sinking into water, with camphor trees shading its back, emitting a pleasant fragrance year-round. In 1995, the Riding-the-Tortoise Pavilion was built—a towering structure made of bamboo and wood with overhanging eaves. It houses a teahouse and meeting hall where visitors can enjoy tea, play chess, engage in refined conversation, recite poetry, paint, admire the scenery, reflect on history, read, or relax in the shade. Climbing the Riding-the-Tortoise Pavilion offers a view as magnificent as ascending the Yellow Crane Tower, evoking a sense of transcendence and boundless inspiration.

Flower and Fruit Island: Located in the center of the lake, the island is adorned with colorful exotic flowers and lush fruit trees, pines, and firs. The Father-and-Son Trees display a variety of forms; azaleas bloom brilliantly amidst greenery; gardenias fill the shaded paths with their fragrance. The bamboo pavilions are uniquely designed, with stone tables and stools scattered throughout the woods. Visitors can take speedboats, paddle small boats, sing karaoke, stay in bamboo huts, or camp in tents. A visit to this island refreshes the mind and spirit—it’s truly a fairyland like Penglai, a heavenly summer palace, or even the Moon Palace.

Seven-Star Terrace: Seven small hills surround one central hill, resembling the Big Dipper stars. It is considered the most auspicious site in Dingshan. The residence of Zhao Guoqiong, a well-preserved Qing Dynasty wooden structure, is exquisitely built. The land is blessed with talented descendants—Zhao had seven sons. Legend has it that after consulting a feng shui master, the seven small hills were flattened into larger mounds, further enhancing the family’s prosperity.

Seven Confucian Holes: Amidst lush greenery, clusters of azaleas bloom—not painted by any mortal hand but seemingly arranged by divine design. There is a rock that strikingly resembles a giant tortoise, referred to by some as the "Ten-Thousand-Year Tortoise" and others as the "Divine Tortoise Stone." On this stone tortoise lie seven holes of a Han Dynasty tomb, believed to be the burial site of wealthy local Bo people during the reign of Emperor Shun of Han (Liu Bao), dating back over 1,800 years. Beside the Ten-Thousand-Year Tortoise, in the lake, stands the Fairy Stone, an enchanting formation that rises and falls with the water level, smiling and bowing gracefully to welcome visitors from near and far.

Chongqing-Guizhou Boundary Monument: To commemorate the establishment of Chongqing as a municipality, the people of Chongqing and Guizhou erected boundary monuments: one "Chongqing-Guizhou Boundary Monument" stands by Yanzheng River in Dingshan Lake, the site of ancient salt production; another stands on the watershed ridge at Yiwanshui. Yiwanshui, a strategic Chongqing-Guizhou junction, once hosted an ancient highway. The Qing scholar Gao Shimin composed a couplet here: "A thousand-year-old ancient road becomes the royal path; a piece of cultivated land grows blessings." By the roadside, a small pool in a stone resembles a bowl, with clear spring water seeping out—hence the name Yiwanshui. The mountains and rivers of Chongqing and Guizhou are closely connected, their people friendly and interconnected, transcending political boundaries.

Jinshan Temple: Located on Chaqi Mountain in Dingshan Lake, the mountain is majestic with auspicious energy surrounding it, often regarded as a blessed land. From its summit, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Dingshan Lake and the surrounding peaks, where countless mountains seem to bow and rivers converge, resembling 800 arhats worshiping Guanyin or monks paying homage to the Buddha. The temple is solemn and resplendent, with exquisitely crafted Buddha statues adorned with pearls and jewels, creating a heavenly atmosphere. The outdoor statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva sits facing north under the blue sky, her radiant eyes gazing compassionately as she plays with holy water to save all beings. In the Mahavira Hall, Sakyamuni sits at the center flanked by the Three Saints of the West—Avalokiteshvara on the left and Samantabhadra on the right—showering blessings upon all who pray. The Maitreya Hall houses vividly crafted statues of Maitreya, Guanyin, the Medicine Buddha, and arhats.

Zhao Family Ancient Tomb: Built in the pine and crane forest, the tomb is uniquely designed and aesthetically pleasing. With the Green Dragon on the left, White Tiger on the right, Vermilion Bird in front, and Black Tortoise behind, it embodies a landscape of picturesque beauty and auspicious energy. The tomb’s facade features intricately carved dragons and phoenixes, with exceptional artistic craftsmanship. The inscriptions, rendered in refined regular script, showcase profound calligraphy skills. It holds great value for art appreciation and archaeological exploration.

White Crane Forest: Dense and lush pine woods are home to a constant presence of white cranes. They soar through the sky, shimmering silver, and perch on treetops like blooming lotuses. Ancient cranes are said to bless people with longevity, while evergreen pines grant eternal youth.

III. Dining and Accommodation

No. | Farm Stay Name | Address | Contact Number

1 | Flower and Fruit Island Resort | Within Dingshan Lake Scenic Area | 48757382

2 | Ecological Garden | Within Dingshan Lake Scenic Area | 48757116

3 | Fuxinglou | Within Dingshan Lake Scenic Area | 48757070

IV. Travel Transportation

(1) Self-Drive: Depart from Chongqing via the Chongqing-Guizhou Expressway, exit at Dongxi Highway Toll Station, and follow signs to Dingshan Town. The total distance is approximately 110 km, with a refueling stop at Dongxi.

(2) Public Transport:

Bus: Chongqing to Qijiang (departures throughout the day); Qijiang to Dingshan, with three daily buses at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

Train: K1035 (6:18 AM from Chongqing), K141 (7:59 AM from Chongqing), 5629 (8:43 AM from Chongqing), K159 (9:10 AM from Chongqing), K1247 (9:34 AM from Chongqing), etc.

V. Scenic Area Contact

Contact Number: 48757001