Heiwan River Scenic Area

Heiwan River Scenic Area

Heiwan River Scenic Area

Heiwan River is situated at the junction of the Heiwan River and the Linxi River, where the two rivers have formed a flatland through sedimentation. Surrounded by verdant mountains and breezy conditions, it boasts mild winters and cool summers, making it a pleasant place to live. Since 1992, around a dozen hotels and guesthouses have been built here. The scenic area includes natural attractions such as Qinglong Cave, Daheiwan Waterfall, Xiaheiwan Waterfall, Heilong Pool, Monkey Jump, and Giant Salamander Pond, as well as viewing spots for rare flora and fauna like golden monkeys and dove trees. Currently, the area has expanded to 10 square kilometers and has been replanned into a Mountain Gate Area, Tourism Commodity Area, Ethnic Culture Area, and Buddhist Culture Area, extending over two kilometers to the nearby Zhaisa Village. More than ten large-scale enterprises attracted through investment have taken root here, jointly creating a beautiful southern gateway to Mount Fanjing. The Heiwan River Leisure Resort mainly consists of:

Fanjing Mountain Mountain Gate

There are two mountain gates in Heiwan River. One was built in 1992, located at the Fanjing Mountain Stele Forest. The three large characters “Fanjing Mountain” on the archway were inscribed by Wang Chaowen, then Governor of Guizhou Province. The newly built gate is situated at Lotus Square, where the three bold characters “Fanjing Mountain” were personally written by Zhao Puchu, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Buddhist Association of China. The gate features four arches—one vehicle lane and three pedestrian walkways—and is designed in an imperial-style ancient Chinese architectural motif. The entire structure is classic and majestic.

Fanjing Mountain Buddhist Culture Park

Its main structures include the Grand Golden Buddha Temple, as well as leisure resort areas and commercial shopping zones.

The Grand Golden Buddha Temple is situated along the central axis of the Buddhist Culture Park. After getting off at the Heiwan River parking lot, visitors cross the wind-and-rain bridge, enter the square, pass the Liberation Pond and the Heavenly King Hall, then the Mahavira Hall, and climb 168 stone steps to reach the Golden Buddha Hall, which enshrines the resplendent Heavenly Crown Golden Jade Maitreya. The hall is surrounded by lotus ponds, with railings entirely made of white marble, and a high artificial waterfall behind it. The layout is solemn and grand, giving a sacred feeling. The surrounding area of the Buddhist Culture Park features green mountains, clear waters, and white clouds, offering visitors a sudden sense of openness and tranquility.

Fanjing Mountain Ecological Botanical Garden

Located 2 kilometers into the Panxi River Canyon, covering an area of 102 acres, the project design cleverly integrates modern functions such as tourism, sightseeing, leisure, vacation, conferences, and accommodation with the ecological wonders of the garden—including clear waters, green mountains, dense forests, bamboo groves, unique rocks, steep cliffs, birdsongs, and monkey calls—to form multiple scenic areas themed around pastoral landscapes, conference leisure, expert facilities, and new animal reserves. The site houses an international conference center and a rare wildlife park. Visitors can admire rare tree species such as dove trees and firs, as well as precious animals like Guizhou golden monkeys and black bears.

Zhaisa Dong Village

Nestled against green mountains, facing the Taiping River, and adjacent to the Buddhist Culture Park on the left, this village is rich in historical, ethnic, and Buddhist culture,

with profound heritage and beautiful natural scenery. The Taiping River meanders in front of the village, with broad and mirror-like waters. Along the riverbanks, willow forests are dense, and the lawns are lush green, occasionally dotted with shepherd boys grazing cattle—a perfect pastoral scene. Behind the village lies a dense forest composed of various rare plants. To the right and opposite the village are the primeval forests of the Fanjing Mountain Nature Reserve, emerging and disappearing amidst the misty clouds.

Heiwan River Wind-and-Rain Bridge

This is a key poverty alleviation project by the National Tourism Administration, initially constructed in 2003. The bridge is 110 meters long and 4 meters wide, with an investment of 760,000 yuan. Built using modern materials in a traditional style, it reflects the local Tujia and Miao cultural sentiments. The bridge features pavilion towers commonly referred to by locals as “flower bridges” or “pavilion bridges.” The pavilions are adorned with paintings of landscapes, forests, bamboo, flowers, birds, beasts, fish, dragons, immortals, deities, and characters from folk legends. Travelers who come here are always left in awe. On both ends of the bridge, the mountains are dark and lush with towering bamboo and trees. Below the bridge, the water is clear with teeming fish.

Zhuantang Scenery

The Linxi River, originating from Gaodong in Songtao, and the Machao River, originating from below the Old Golden Summit of Fanjing Mountain, converge at Kuichang. After passing Huangjiaba, the river is blocked by the small peninsula-shaped Zhuantang Hill, forming a U-shape. It flows halfway around Zhuantang before merging with the Heiwan River to become the Taiping River. Standing on the Zhuantang Peninsula, one can gaze upon the lush green mountains, birdsongs, and floral fragrances. The river at the foot of the mountain is crystal clear, cool, and fast-flowing, adding to the serenity and gentleness of the area. During summer and autumn, many people visit here to swim. Once in the river, the summer heat instantly dissipates, leaving one feeling refreshed. Currently, plans are underway to build a five-star hotel here.

Guanyin Waterfall

Located 5 kilometers from the mountain gate, a white cascade plunges down from the sky into a round deep pool, then winds its way into the Heiwan River. Named “Guanyin Waterfall” because the falls resemble the Goddess of Mercy, draped in green silk, holding a pure vase, and sprinkling sweet dew. The area around the waterfall blooms with flowers all year round, creating a spectacular sight.

Heiwan River Canyon

The Heiwan River originates from the southeastern foothills of Fanjing Mountain, stretching approximately 30 kilometers before merging with rivers such as the Machao River to the east to form the Taiping River. The canyon is densely forested with ancient trees that block out the sky. Towering peaks rise high on both sides. The riverbed is filled with bizarre rocks, some resembling lightning-struck water surfaces. Vines and creepers hang from the trees, brushing the ground. Beneath the bridges, springs murmur with clear flowing water, while cliffs are shrouded in mist with waterfalls everywhere. “Paths twist and turn with no way out, yet small bridges lead over pavilions and long halls.” “Birds sing and flowers bloom as if hearing the laughter of the Buddha—this sacred mountain is full of vitality.” At the mountain gate, within the bamboo forest of Fanjing Mountain Stele Forest, there are over 100 steles, featuring calligraphy masterpieces by notable figures such as [name omitted], Chen Lifu, Zhao Puchu, and Qi Gong. Each piece showcases a unique style, highlighting the beauty of traditional Chinese art and integrating the landscape of the Buddhist paradise into exquisite traditional artistry, forming a distinctive cultural landscape of Fanjing Mountain. At the stele forest, there is also a perennial spring known as the “Dragon Spring” or “Holy Water,” which visitors must drink from. Its cool and sweet taste refreshes the body and soul.

Machao River Canyon

Located from Yuya in Fanjing Mountain to Kuichang Village in Taiping Township, stretching 16 kilometers, it is named for a section of the river that resembles a horse trough. It was the main pilgrimage route for Huguang worshippers visiting Fanjing Mountain during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with stops along the way at Suiyuan Temple, Puyin Temple, and Chaotian Temple. The area boasts beautiful scenery, with endless numbers of nan bamboo, exotic flowers, and rare animals such as Guizhou golden monkeys, giant salamanders, and dove trees. There is also the Dusi Office established by Guizhou Governor Cen Yuying to suppress Liu Man.

Ten Thousand Step Cloud Ladder

There are two main routes to ascend from Heiwan River to the Golden Summit scenic area. One is to take a vehicle from the mountain gate to Yuya, then a cable car, reaching Wanbao Rock in about ten minutes. The other is to walk from the mountain gate, follow the Heiwan River Canyon to Yuya, then climb the ten thousand stone steps via Huixiangping to devoutly hike up for the view. Ascending from Yuya to the new and old Golden Summits of Fanjing Mountain requires climbing the ten thousand stone steps. These steps were built in 1982, with most of the stones carried up the mountain manually, making the construction extremely labor-intensive. Scenic spots along the way include Yuya, Huixiangping, and Wanbao Rock. Yuya is located at the 1,000th step of the ascent path and resembles the backbone of a carp—it is the watershed between the Machao River and the Heiwan River. Huixiangping is at the 4,500th step of the stone stairs and is said to be named after pilgrims who stop to offer another incense stick upon departure. Wanbao Rock is a massive boulder uplifted from the seabed, preserving fossils of marine life across its surface, shining like a giant gem under the sunlight. On the hillside near Yuya is a place called Sanjiaozhuang, once the site of the Imperial Temple Chaotian Temple, which had thriving incense offerings but was unfortunately destroyed when Liu Man took over the mountain. Liu Man, a native of Dejiang and a minor leader of the Xiang Army, secretly joined the anti-Qing organization “Gelaohui.” After participating in the suppression of Zhang Xiumei in southeastern Guizhou, he led his troops to occupy Fanjing Mountain in 1875. After repeated military suppression by Yi Peikun, the Provincial Governor of Eastern Guizhou, and Cen Yuying, the mountain management was strengthened. With Cen Yuying’s approval, Tongren County was relocated from Tongren to Jiangkou, leading to the establishment of Jiangkou County.

Fanjing Mountain Cableway

Stretching 3,500 meters, it is a single-loop detachable grip cable car produced in Austria, with cabins that can accommodate eight passengers at a time. From the lower station at Yuya to Wanbao Rock, the high-speed ride takes only 11 minutes, with a one-way capacity of 1,000 passengers per hour. Thanks to multiple safety technologies, the Fanjing Mountain Cableway is one of the most advanced and safest in the world. When riding the cable car up Fanjing Mountain—if not obscured by clouds—you can clearly admire the primeval forests, observe the five vertically distributed vegetation zones, view unique flowers like dove flowers and rhododendrons, gaze at the Nine Dragons Mural, and if lucky, even spot migrating Guizhou golden monkeys.

The Fanjing Mountain Golden Summit features several renowned attractions, including the New Golden Summit, Ten Thousand Volume Book, Prince Stone, Nine Phoenix Cave, Golden Knife Gorge, Heaven-Flipping Seal, Eagle Rock, and Nine Dragons Pool.