Baiyunzhai Scenic Area

Baiyunzhai Scenic Area

Baiyunzhai Scenic Area is located in the southern part of Peng’an County, 33 kilometers from the county seat and adjacent to National Highway 318. It is the largest forested area in Nanchong City, spanning 7,575 acres. The mountain range belongs to the Huaying Mountain system, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 827.3 meters (the highest point in the county). The area has now developed 10 scenic spots, 2 valleys, 33 peaks, and 26 bends, and features the Baiyunzhai Summer Resort built on the mountain. The vegetation includes arbor and shrub forests such as masson pine, white bark forest, vitex, mulberry, and privet, as well as rare tree species like camphor, sandalwood, red bean, metasequoia, and ginkgo. There are also over 400 species of herbaceous plants, and 37 types of birds and animals such as thrushes, turtle doves, snakes, foxes, and egrets. Dozens of natural medicinal herbs such as coptis root, ginseng, cordyceps, and lingzhi can be found here. The scenery is beautiful, and there are numerous scenic sites.

Upon entering the forested area, fragrant flowers and grasses fill the air, while shrubs sway like waves, vibrant and lush. Towering trees block out the sunlight, and the rustling sound of pine waves sweeps through like a chorus of thousands humming an unnamed tune. Not far from the entrance to the village lies Baiyun Lake, said to be the place where fairies descended to bathe. In the lake, there are pavilions built over the water, next to which is the Lantern Stand Rock scenic spot. During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, anti-Qing rebel forces planned to establish a base in Baiyun Mountain, but were later betrayed by militia leader Li Wentong, leading to their encirclement. To save the rebels, a woman named Baili carved a cave into the rock, lit torches using tung oil and grass, and led the rebels to break through the encirclement. Later generations named the stone hollow “Lantern Stand Rock” in memory of the rebels’ heroic act.

Other attractions in the Baiyun Lake scenic area include Stone Ghost Peak, Divine Water Cave, and Wangsu Pavilion.

The nights in Baiyun Mountain are enchanting and intoxicating. The dark mountains, dark trees, and dark shadows add a layer of misty mystery to the resort. Wherever moonlight touches, a moist feeling emerges, while the rustling sound of the waves drifts by like the rising and falling tides of the sea — dynamic and unrestrained. The charm of the mountain and the serenity of the night are breathtaking.

At dawn, hiking up the Echo Stairs, passing through Turtle and Snake Ridge, and ascending to the Viewpoint Pavilion to watch the sunrise offers yet another stunning view. Below the mountain, everything is shrouded in white mist. At the horizon where the clouds meet the sky, a faint red glow gradually spreads, becoming increasingly vivid and dazzling. The sky and sea of clouds are both gilded with a golden-red hue. As the light scatters, hues of light blue, golden yellow, orange-red, and goose green appear across the sky. Gradually, the fiery red sphere completely rises above the horizon line, casting myriad rays of morning glow upon the earth.

Baiyunzhai boasts picturesque scenery and numerous attractions. The Goose Standing Bend scenic area, Guanyin Temple scenic area, and Willow Valley scenic area are all enchanting. Scenic spots and legends abound, including Princess Rock, Jade Rabbit Ridge, Seal Box, Wenjun Well, Xiangru Rock, Couple Bodhisattvas, Beauty Rock, Drum Gong Mountain, Square Egg Stone, and Calf-Bearing Cow — each spot tells its own story.