Moon Lake Scenic Area

Moon Lake Scenic Area

The Moon Lake Scenic Area, at an altitude of over 900 meters, is 94 kilometers from Chishui city center and 13 kilometers from Changqi Town, spanning 23 square kilometers. It is an artificial lake cluster scenic area centered on Qiliba (Moon Lake), Daxianping, and Shuichaxi. With lake-and-mountain vistas as its primary attraction, the area also boasts cliff carvings, waterfalls, primeval forests, Danxia landforms, and relics from the Long March of the Red Army—making it ideal for summer retreats, sightseeing, and adventure tourism.

The Moon Lake Scenic Area features undulating mountains and diverse climates, with cold winters and cool summers, frequent snowfall in severe winters. The average annual temperature is 14.5°C, with a maximum of 41°C and a minimum of -4°C. The frost-free period lasts about 150 days, and annual rainfall ranges between 1100–1350 mm. The soil is mostly purple and yellow, and vegetation primarily consists of mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests, including species like fir, pine, and nanmu bamboo. Rare protected plants such as Cathaya argyrophylla and Machilus zuihoensis thrive here, while endangered wildlife like serows, Tibetan macaques, and tufted deer are active in the area. The region showcases remarkable biodiversity and ecological layering, with pristine and ancient natural surroundings and a complete ecosystem.

Moon Lake is the core sightseeing area of the Moon Lake Scenic Area, spanning 12.5 square kilometers. Centered around the Qiliba artificial lake, it connects five major scenic sections: Feixia Panshan (Flying Clouds Plateau Path), Jinhe River, Forest Wilderness Trails, Deer Turns Head, and the Red Army’s Jian Tan Battlefield. Home to over 1100 forest plant species and 200+ wild animals, it also features Danxia landform wonders and water landscapes such as Hongchuan Rock, Denggan Stone, Huzuo Stone, Yanwangbian, Shizi Rock, Huaping Rock, Jiulongkou Waterfall, Fairy Cave Waterfall, Daludong Waterfall, and Guan’yan Rock Waterfall. In spring, enjoy blooming mountain flowers; in summer, admire cascading streams and waterfalls; in autumn, savor ripe fruits; in winter, witness the silver-clad snowy scenery. Year-round, you can boat, fish, climb cliffs, explore dense forests, breathe crisp air, and bask in the moonlit lake’s glow.

Moon Lake has a storage capacity of 4.15 million cubic meters, a water surface area of 430,000 square meters, a width of 80–300 meters, and an axis length of 3.5 kilometers. Its masonry single-arch dam stands 26.4 meters high, 108 meters long, and 5.1 meters wide. The side-flow spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 33.7 cubic meters per second, and the longest water diversion tunnel, Liangfengya, stretches 481 meters. The lakeshore is surrounded by rolling mountains rising 200–300 meters above the water, covered by 13,226 acres of natural mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests and 1,200 acres of nanmu bamboo groves, offering year-round lush greenery. Rare tree species like Chinese fir, fragrant nanmu, three-needle pine, Fujian cypress, and Cathaya argyrophylla intertwine, while wild medicinal herbs such as gastrodia, bamboo manna, blood-activating grass, and blood-vein vines abound. Wildlife like flying squirrels, wild boars, goats, golden pheasants, hill mynas, and mountain sparrows roam freely, alongside waterfowl like mandarin ducks, wild ducks, and egrets. Dozens of fish species, including carp, flower carp, bluish-black carp, silver carp, salamanders, yellow catfish, and white-spotted carp, swim beneath the surface. The area is woven with Danxia rock caves, cliffs, waterfalls, streams, vines, and flowers, creating an endless feast for the eyes and a refreshing spirit.

Feixia Panshan (Flying Clouds Plateau Path): This mountainous road connects Changqi Town to Moon Lake, stretching approximately 13 kilometers. Winding uphill along the terrain, it loops through the hills with twists and turns. The route showcases typical Danxia landforms and numerous wonders, earning the local nickname “Feixia Panshan.” Departing from Changqi Town (formerly called “Chanchi”), the drive ascends along the winding path, where the road appears and disappears amid the undulating mountain roads. The rustic charm of mountain fields, crisscrossing paths in valleys, and the striking red hues of cliff rocks—like the iconic Hongchuan Rock resembling a ship’s bow—shine brilliantly. After rain, the sky flushes with red clouds, mist swirls, and wisps of cooking smoke create a dreamy, surreal beauty.

Jinhe River (Golden River): Located 13 kilometers leftward along Ercha River, a further 8-kilometer drive leads to Sichuan’s Hejiang Fobao National Forest. Here, dense forests, steep ridges, and deep valleys exude an ancient simplicity. Water features like Yizhuxiang Waterfall and Huansha Creek Waterfall reveal silvery cascades, while bamboo groves sway lushly and murmuring streams flow. Danxia peaks like Zhufeng (Wild Boar Peak) wear crimson hues, and ancient villages like “Longevity Village” and “Beauty Village” add cultural charm. This marks the Jinhe River section of the Moon Lake Scenic Area. The traditional houses here appear steeped in history. The section’s waterfalls are uniquely named for their shapes and meanings. Yizhuxiang Waterfall resembles a massive 30-meter-tall, 5-meter-wide silver incense stick, while Huansha Creek Waterfall looks like a flowing, pleated “white silk” curtain, about 150 meters high and 30 meters wide. The silk’s lower hem gathers in an oval pool resembling a wooden basin, its crystal-clear waters mirroring the waterfall and cliffs in a delightful interplay.

Moon Lake: Boating on Moon Lake is a joyful and fascinating activity, offering different experiences in all weathers and times of day. A writer once penned a poem capturing the essence:

Roads rise a thousand feet like bows, Moon Lake crowns the highest peaks.

Lake light and water hues descend from the skies, Bringing cool serenity that never dies.

On sunny days, Moon Lake’s waters lie calm and gentle, emerald-green like jade, reflecting the verdant mountains and azure sky. Waterfowl chirp and play, skimming the surface, while passing boats ripple the water, startling birds into flight. Here, mountain and water blend with the heavens, the boat glides on the lake, and the hills walk in the water—all captured by the eyes. Visitors find joy and tranquility in this secluded haven, far from the clamor of the world.

In rainy weather, Moon Lake shrouds in misty haze, with mountains blurred in gray. The world grows eerily silent save for the patter of rain. Drifting alone in a small boat, one savors the vast, hazy expanse of hundreds of miles of misty waters, feeling lost and adrift—evoking thoughts of life’s insignificance and stirring emotions of patriotism, compassion, and melancholy.

Under starlit nights, Moon Lake’s charm dazzles. In the serene, mystical moonlight, a crescent moon spills its gentle glow, stars densely dot the deep sky, and the lake’s surface shimmers. Dark-green, hazy mountains stand quietly, while frogs and insects chirp rhythmically with the oars, stirring the heart. On such nights, drifting under the stars or singing under the moon is an indulgence, a transcendence.

At Moon Lake, you not only enjoy summer coolness, moonlit romance, and mountain charm but also cleanse the dust, refresh your lungs, and delight your palate. Over 13,000 acres of pristine forest, with a coverage rate exceeding 95%, produce negative oxygen ions, purifying the air immaculately. The sweet, pure mountain spring water invigorates the senses. Breathing the crisp air and sipping pristine water feels like a lung detox. Sampling wild vegetables and fruits like bamboo shoots, bamboo fungus, wild herbs, bayberries, kiwis, and rose hips “stimulates the appetite” and “strengthens the spleen,” leaving visitors marveling at these “green, eco-friendly mountain delicacies.” Here, choosing Moon Lake for a summer retreat or wellness journey brings pride, and one effortlessly falls in love with the scenic area’s enchanting landscapes.

The mystical beauty of Moon Lake moves not only today’s people but also the “immortal fairies” of old. Legend says Moon Lake once housed a secret immortal cave, home to seven fairies of the Jade Emperor. The fairies often visited seven spots: “Single-Log Ladder,” “Huaping Rock,” and “Moon Rock.” Over time, these seven locations, spaced roughly a li (half a kilometer) apart, became known as “Qiliba” (Seven-Li Dam). One day, the fairies mistook Moon Lake’s crystal-clear waters for the Queen Mother’s Jade Pool and frolicked, shedding their robes. Just as they reveled, celestial music and dancing erupted from the Moon Palace. The fairies could never return, remaining in the heavens, forever yearning for Moon Lake. In truth, Moon Lake’s name stems from a triple-moon spectacle. From a height, a bright moon hangs in the sky; looking down, another moon rests pristine in the lake’s depths. Even more wondrously, 80 meters above the lake’s surface, a 20-meter-diameter circular Danxia rock resembles a red moon half-hidden by trees, with a nearby tree fern standing like a divine tree in the moon’s camp—sparking awe and endless imagination.

Dingbo Platform (Calming Waves Platform): At Moon Lake’s widest point, about 300 meters across, a platform near the shore remains above water and has never been flooded. Nearly level with the lake’s spillway, about 50 meters ahead in the lake lies a Qing Dynasty Qianlong-era ancient tomb, with a 6-foot-high tombstone. When Moon Lake’s water drops to the 7.5-meter mark, the tombstone’s top emerges. Legend says that once the stone appears, heavy rain soon follows, submerging it again. Locals call the stone “Dingbo Stele” (Calming Waves Stele) and the platform “Dingbo Platform.”

Forest Wilderness Trails: Following Moon Lake’s upstream source, disembark at Guanyin Rock Pier to enter the 2-kilometer “Forest Wilderness Trails” section. Here, the natural ecology is more secluded and pristine, showcasing richer forest layers and diversity. Lichen, moss, aquatic plant communities, and towering tree clusters are densely and orderly distributed, sometimes interwoven. The trails are flanked by overgrown weeds and shaded woods, set against red cliffs and clear waters. Unknown birds chirp melodiously in the treetops, creating a serene, vibrant wilderness. Along the way, natural wonders like Crescent Moon Rock, Carp Stone, Cathaya Forest, Guanyin Rock, Lion Rock, Huaping Rock, and Moon Rock emerge, each proudly displaying its captivating charm.

Moon Lake’s Crescent Moon Rock: The first stop on the Forest Wilderness Trails is Crescent Moon Rock. This crescent-shaped Danxia rock cave can accommodate dozens of people for tea and rest, offering gentle charm rather than grandeur—a true gem among waterfalls. Beyond it, Carp Rock lies beside the trail, resembling a vivid red carp with distinct head, tail, and scales. Further ahead, a thriving Cathaya forest appears. Known as a “living fossil,” this rare protected plant numbers around 1,000 in Moon Lake’s primeval forest. Exiting the woods, visitors reach Guanyin Rock Observation Deck, where Danxia wonders—Moon Rock, Huaping Rock, and Lion Rock—come into view. Across the lake, Moon Rock appears as a round bare rock recessed into the forested mountainside, glowing red like a moon hidden in the woods. Left of Moon Rock, about 30 meters above the water, erosion patterns on a Danxia cliff resemble a “vase,” with a perennial stream trickling from it—dubbed “Vase Rock” or “Source of Life.” Another 20 meters left reveals a Danxia rock shaped like a fierce lion, seemingly ready to leap, inspiring both awe and delight.

Deer Turns Head: The shores of Moon Lake grow many rhododendron trees, tall and upright, with flowers in red, yellow, purple, and peach. They typically bloom from late April to early May. During this period, wildflowers blanket the mountains, creating a vibrant tapestry. From Moon Lake’s tail end—near the Summer Resort to Daludong Waterfall—lies the Deer Turns Head section.

The Deer Turns Head section remains exceptionally pristine, with knee-high wild grass, shady canopies, and intoxicating plant fragrances. Birds chirp melodiously, and streams murmur beneath the brush. Here, one truly reconnects with nature. Amid the refreshing scenery, two Danxia rocks about 100 meters above ground catch the eye—one resembling a person, the other a drum, as if a musician carries a drum joyfully, comically lifelike. Near Daludong Waterfall, 40 meters high and 15 meters wide, the cascade roars powerfully, with a natural passage through its cave. Legend says two wild oxen, nicknamed “Big Deer,” lived here, lovingly nestled in the primeval forest, never wanting to leave. Thus, the forest they cherished became “Deer Turns Head,” and the section thrums with their mystical presence.

Scenic Spot Location

Changqi Town, Chishui City, Zunyi, Guizhou Province

Changqi Town: A town under Chishui City, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, located centrally in Chishui’s eastern region. It borders Fubao Town, Hejiang County, Sichuan Province to the east, Guandu Town to the south, Hushi Town to the west, and Changsha Town to the north.

Basic Overview

Changqi Town lies centrally in Chishui City’s eastern region, spanning longitude 105°51′11″ to 106°06′49″ and latitude 28°41′44″. Its highest elevation is 1346.2 meters, the lowest 328 meters. It borders Fubao Town, Hejiang County, Sichuan Province to the east, Guandu… [Longqi Town Detailed Information++]