Baisha River Scenic Area

Baisha River Scenic Area

The Baisha River Scenic Area is bordered by the county town to the east, adjacent to the Laba River Scenic Area to the west, neighboring Baoxing County to the north, and located 15 kilometers from Tianquan County. It covers a total area of 528 square kilometers. This scenic area represents the lowest elevation within the famous scenic zone and is roughly divided into two main sections: the northern section lies within forested areas as a natural ecological zone, while the southern section is close to the county town and features cultural and historical attractions.

Natural Landscapes: The northern scenic area features vast forests, crisscrossing gullies, abundant water resources, numerous canyons, and a complete and typical vegetation belt spectrum. A variety of landscapes—including mountain views, water scenes, vegetative landscapes, and atmospheric/climatic phenomena—are distributed across different times and spaces, presenting stunning and picturesque scenery. Attractions include Longmen Gorge, Chenxiangyan Swallow Cave, Hulu Water, Big and Small Natural Bridges, Baisha River Giant Stone Stalagmite, Liangshuijing Triple Waterfall, Shuihaizi Niujinggou “Hundred Cattle Painting,” and Yinshangou “Little Huangshan.”

Highlights —

Chenxiangyan Karst Cave: Located between Longmen Village and Huang/Baisha River, this karst cave is eight to nine zhang high (approx. 26–30 meters), with towering stone stalactites and unfathomable depths.

Longmen Gorge: The gorge is winding and deep, with towering peaks. Traveling upstream along the Baisha River from the gorge entrance, one encounters numerous streams and valleys such as Huangsha River, Laba River, Maozigou, Jiaojiao River, and Yutouxī, which branch off in all directions, forming a complex network of canyons. The area showcases precipitous rocks, steep cliffs, narrow paths flanked by cliffs, and breathtaking, indescribably beautiful scenery.

Chenxiangyan Swallow Cave: Formed through karst processes, this cave is deep and expansive with mysterious dimensions. Inside, there are variously shaped stalactites, stalagmites, and stone flowers. The cave houses tens of thousands of swiftlets, and it’s a spectacular sight to see them flying about.

Hulu Water: Pools formed by the accumulation of Baisha River water, consisting of two connected basins—one smaller above the other—resembling a gourd, creating a unique landscape.

Big and Small Natural Bridges: The smaller of the two bridges features two closely spaced cliffs with steep and hanging paths. Viewed from afar, they resemble a bridge in the sky, presenting a majestic, steep, and spectacular sight.

Baisha River Giant Stone Stalagmite: A columnar rock formation created from lava crystallization, standing dozens of meters tall, resembling a bamboo shoot after the rain, reaching towards the sky—an impressive natural feature.

Liangshuijing Triple Waterfall: The waterfall cascades down nearly a kilometer of steep terrain in three tiers, exuding the grandeur reminiscent of “waterfalls plunging three thousand feet as if the Milky Way fell from the heavens.” Its scale and impact rival the famed San Die Quan (Triple Falls) of Mount Lu in Jiangxi.

Shuihaizi: A mountain lake situated at an altitude of 1600 meters east of the Laba River. With crystal-clear waters that gently ripple, it is set against lush virgin forests, creating a picturesque harmony of green mountains and blue waters.

Evergreen Broadleaf Forest Belt Landscape: Along both sides of the gorges in Longmen, the mountains host well-preserved and typical evergreen broadleaf forest belts. These stable forest communities remain lush and vibrant year-round, with numerous rare and fragrant orchids and plants growing beneath the canopy, offering delightful scenery and high ornamental value.

Three (patches) of Rhododendron Forests: Vast areas of rhododendrons spanning hundreds of hectares burst into colorful bloom during flowering season, resembling a magnificent garden.

Niujinggou “Hundred Cattle Painting”: Niujinggou is a frequent habitat for the nationally protected Tibetan antelope. Dozens or even hundreds of these animals often gather here to feed on salt, creating a spectacular animal scene akin to a “Hundred Cattle Painting.”

Yinshangou “Little Huangshan”: Several towering peaks create beautiful scenery. One peak in particular resembles a giant opening its mouth to swallow a swan—an incredibly vivid and lifelike sight.

Travel Here —

Located within Tianquan County on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin, along the upper reaches of the Qingyi River at an altitude of 3437 meters. It lies on the western Sichuan tourism loop, bordering Luding County and Kangding County to the west, and Baoxing County to the north. Nestled between the Mengshan-Bifengxia Scenic Areas and the Hailuogou-Gongga Mountain Scenic Areas, it is 180 kilometers from Chengdu and 50 kilometers from Tianquan County.

Historical and Cultural Landscapes: The southern scenic area emphasizes the trajectory of local historical development and the resulting regional cultural characteristics. It showcases revolutionary history and the spirit of struggle, offering rich historical and cultural content. It serves not only as a destination for sightseeing, leisure, and tourism but also as a base for learning from history, honoring martyrs, and providing patriotic and revolutionary tradition education. Attractions include the “Southwest Lock” Jinmen Pass, the ruins of ancient Tea-Horse Trade markets, the site of the Red Army’s battle at Dagang Mountain, the Tianquan Martyrs’ Cemetery, Cilang Temple, and Jixiang Temple. There are also many naturally formed tourist spots as well as nationally protected rare flora and fauna, making it a pristine destination awaiting further development.