Guiyang Wudang Lovers' Valley

Guiyang Wudang Lovers' Valley

Lovers' Valley, a tourist attraction in Wudang District, is located in the eastern suburbs of Guiyang City, 7 kilometers from the city center, covering an area of 6 square kilometers. There are two routes from Guiyang to this scenic spot: one is from Shida — Xintianzhai — Dongfeng Town — Lovers' Valley — Ali Yangmei Garden; the other is from Shuikou Temple — Big Bend — Ali Yangmei Garden — Lovers' Valley. The magical and beautiful love legend of Lovers' Valley and its spectacular canyon scenery are captivating.

Lovers' Valley, formerly known as Xianziyan (Rock That Reveals Characters), got its name from a local legend. It is said that if a supremely intelligent person came here, characters and poems would appear on the stone walls for them to read and appreciate, hence the name Xianziyan. Due to its secluded valleys and beautiful scenery, the place has long attracted many tourists, couples, and visitors who come here to enjoy the views, have picnics, hike, explore, and swim. It is said that in 1942, when Li Siguang came to Wudang to study Quaternary glacial relics, he was so enchanted by the beauty of this place that he lingered and could not bear to leave.

In the early 1980s, some visionary individuals began planning to develop this area into a scenic tourism zone to boost tourism in Wudang. After much effort, development finally commenced in 1996, and based on the legend, it was named “Lovers’ Canyon.” In June 1997, the infrastructure was completed, and it officially opened to tourists under the name “Lovers’ Valley.”

Lovers' Valley is a great place to relax, cool off, get close to nature, experience its beauty, and cultivate your spirit. Its canyon scenery is picturesque, and its love legend is deeply moving. When you come to Lovers' Valley, you will surely be amazed by its stunning beauty.

At the entrance of the canyon, downstream of the river, the water is as calm as a mirror, with weeping willows along the banks and the reflections of verdant green mountains clearly visible in the water. If you take a small boat out on the river, you’ll feel as though you’re “floating in a painting.” Various leisure villas of unique styles are built against the mountains and by the waters, complementing the natural beauty of the green hills and clear waters.

As you walk up along the river, the water gradually becomes more lively and cheerful, bubbling happily along as if playing with the stones in the water, splashing up floral bursts of waves. The canyon gets deeper and narrower as you go, and when you look up, the sky appears as a thin line. The cliffs on both sides grow steeper and taller, seeming to meet the white clouds above. This lets you fully appreciate the wonderful scene described by the Song Dynasty poet Qin Guan: “mountains brushed with wispy clouds.” The trees and vines remain lush, birds chirp melodiously, flowers exude fragrance, and the shaded woods offer a refreshing coolness, all of which are truly uplifting. To help visitors fully enjoy and appreciate the various views, a “cliffside path” has been manually carved along the sheer cliffs, winding through the rock faces, while almost vertical “sky ladders” with over 200 stone steps lead directly to the “Heavenly Palace.” Standing atop it and looking down, you’ll feel as if you’re peering into an abyss — thrilling and awe-inspiring. Yet at the same time, standing high and looking out, you can take in the entire canyon: deep valleys, serene waters, and emerald hills that make you feel as though you’ve entered a fairyland, with your heart and mind instantly broadened.

The entire canyon features ever-changing and magical scenery. In addition to its stunning canyon landscape, there are many caves hidden among the dense forests and between steep cliffs. Caves such as “Wangtianting” (Hall Facing the Sky), “Tongtian Dong” (Heaven-Connecting Cave), “Shenxian Dong” (Fairy Cave), and “Xiniu Dong” (Rhinoceros Cave) contain stalactites and stalagmites of bizarre and fascinating shapes, each displaying its own charm and sparking endless curiosity.

Among the many sights, the most legendary is the “Golden Turtle Holding the Bridge.” In the deepest and steepest part of the canyon, a giant turtle-shaped rock holds up a bridge that spans the river valley. Amid the rushing waters, the “giant turtle” sways its head and body with the waves, appearing vividly alive. There is a beautiful legend about the “Golden Turtle Holding the Bridge,” which also explains the origin of the name “Lovers’ Valley.”

A thousand years ago, in the deep mountains on either side of Lovers' Valley, there were two Miao villages called Diwuling and Mitangjing. Diwuling’s young man Ashan was handsome and hardworking, while Mitangjing’s maiden Ashui was lovely and affectionate. Ashan often went to Lovers' Valley to chop wood,

and Ashui often herded sheep there. They would often see each other across the river, and over time, they started greeting and chatting with one another, eventually falling in love. One day, unable to contain her feelings, Ashui shyly sang across the river to Ashan: “The big river rises, churning sand, fish in the river wag their tails; when will I have fish to go with wine? When will I have you to marry?” Hearing this, Ashan was overjoyed and immediately responded: “I’m separated from you by the river, you by the cliff, but no matter the mountain or water, I’ll come to you; I’ll become a swallow to fly across the river, you become a bee to fly over the cliff.” They expressed their love through song, vowing everlasting devotion.

In order to cross the river and be with his beloved, Ashan cut down trees to build a bridge. But the river was too fierce and rapid, and the wooden bridge was washed away by the relentless currents again and again. Just as Ashan was in despair, a giant turtle emerged from the waves and helped support the bridge timbers, allowing him to cross and meet Ashui. From then on, with the turtle’s help, Ashan and Ashui could be together every day, deeply in love and inseparable. When Ashui’s parents learned of their relationship, they disapproved because Ashan’s family was poor and insisted she marry the village chief’s foolish son. Heartbroken, Ashan and Ashui chose to flee together, hiding in a cave deep within Lovers' Valley, where they lived a life free from worldly constraints, loving and cherishing each other. This touching story has been passed down through the generations.

The beautiful love legend of Lovers' Valley adds endless charm to its landscape, leaving visitors with lingering thoughts and boundless imagination.

Address: Lovers' Valley Road, Wudang District, Guiyang City

Type: Canyon and Cave

Recommended Visit Duration: 6 hours

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 6.0 RMB

Dongfeng Town: Located in the northeastern part of Guiyang City, Dongfeng Town is 15 kilometers from the city center and 5 kilometers from the district administrative center. It is 13 kilometers from the northeast ring road to Guiyang Longdongbao Airport. The town enjoys convenient transportation, with an average elevation of 1100 meters, an average annual rainfall of 1179 millimeters, a long frost-free period, and a humid climate. The town has a total population of 26,402, covering an area of 73.67 square kilometers, with 11,804 mu of arable land, including 7,357 mu of paddy fields and 4,447 mu of dry land. The town administers 11 administrative villages, 2 farms, 5 neighborhood committees, and is home to 13 ethnic groups including Han, Miao, Bai, and Gelao… More detailed information about Dongfeng Town++