Huozhou Taotangyu Scenic Area

Huozhou Taotangyu Scenic Area

The Taotangyu Natural Scenic Area is located in the southern part of Huoshan Mountain, about 20 kilometers southeast of the city center, covering a touring area of approximately 40 square kilometers. Historically known as Taotang Valley.

According to the "Inscription on the Reconstruction of Yuquan Temple in Taotang Valley" from the third year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty: it was named after Emperor Yao's summer retreat (Emperor Yao, surname Yi Qi, given name Fang Xun, legend has it that he was enfeoffed successively in the lands of Tao and Tang, hence his title Tao Tangshi, and Yao was his posthumous title. He is recorded as one of China’s Five Emperors of antiquity. His era is estimated to be around 4,200 years ago, at a time when the Chinese nation was in the late stages of primitive society, namely the tribal alliance period. Legend says Emperor Yao established his capital in Pingyang, now Linfen City, and set up a temporary palace in Huozhou. Later, the Temple of Yao was built in Pingyang, while the Shrine of Yao was in Huozhou).

Taotangyu combines splendid ethnic culture, ancient architecture with a long history, and beautiful, unique natural scenery. It is one of the main scenic areas of Mount Huoshan, one of China’s ancient Ten Famous Mountains known as "Zhongzhen." Traveling up the valley along the stream, you will come across a series of attractions including the pontoon bridge, Fairy Pool Waterfall, Fairy Pool, Yao King’s Summer Resort, Soul-Calling Pavilion, Water Curtain Cave, Rhinoceros Rock, Dripping Water Cliff Waterfall, Five Dragons Pool, Big Gully Fork Waterfall, Stone Gate, Guanfeng Gorge, One-Line Sky, Sky-Supporting Jade Pillar Peak, Locust Tree Gully Waterfall, Stairwater Hollow Waterfall, Yuquan Temple, Turtle Mountain, and Lotus Mountain. The entire scenic area consists of three parts: Yao King’s Temporary Palace, Five Dragons Pool, and Shimen Mountain & Water.　

Taotangyu boasts uniquely shaped peaks, beautiful rocks, graceful waterfalls, winding paths leading to secluded spots, and a harmonious blend of landscape and water—each offering endless charm. Its natural scenery, characterized by “unique peaks, beautiful rocks, beautiful water, and secluded valleys,” is hailed as the four wonders of the scenic area.

Venturing into the valley and traveling upstream toward the northeast will take you straight to the summit of Motian Ridge, which stands over 2,350 meters above sea level. It is also called Turtle Mountain due to an ancient stone turtle perched atop. From Turtle Mountain, by following the mountain ridge and walking through dense woods southward, you can reach another famous peak in the southeastern part of the scenic area—Lotus Mountain.

Further south, the main peak of Huoshan Mountain, Laoye Ding, faces Lotus Mountain across the valley. The waters of Taotangyu originate from deep forests and serene cliffs and valleys. Attractions such as Fairy Pool Waterfall, Water Curtain Cave, Five Dragons Pool, Big Gully Fork Waterfall, and Shimen Waterfall are all uniquely styled and unparalleled in the world. The secluded valleys of Taotangyu are typified by One-Line Sky, located about 200 meters behind Shimen. The narrow valley is flanked by sheer cliffs as if hewn by knives and axes, towering and unscalable, leaving only a crack of a valley with the sky reduced to a thin line. Entering the valley, a chill strikes you, instantly evoking a sense of deep seclusion. The beautiful rocks of Taotangyu can be seen everywhere—about a hundred meters into the valley entrance, there is a small pool where the riverbed stones at the bottom display exquisitely patterned colors in radiant hues.

On the riverbed stone where the stream flows into the pool, there is a vivid image of a bird with its head facing south and tail north. To its east is an image of a stone monkey that is said to play in the stream when water levels are high, or watch from the shore when the water is low. In the valley east of Yao’s Palace, in the stream lies a large black stone with a white rhinoceros carved upon it, appearing to drink from the stream with striking realism. The patterns on the walls of Five Dragons Pool are extraordinarily colorful, and the image of two dragons playing with a pearl among the carvings at Shimen even more so, leaving visitors in awe. The naturally formed lotus stone and lotus pedestal at the top of Lotus Mountain are truly spectacular wonders.

A renowned scenic site of Chinese civilization, Taotangyu is a purely natural and ecological tourist area, making it an excellent destination for sightseeing.

Tel: 0357-5655548

Address: Located in the southern part of Huoshan Mountain, about 20 kilometers southeast of the city center