Meixi Reservoir Tourist Scenic Area

Meixi Reservoir Tourist Scenic Area

The Meixi Reservoir Tourist Scenic Area is located in the northwest of Meixian District. With its beautiful green ecological environment, after years of careful development, it has gradually become another leisure and entertainment destination in Meizhou that combines dining, accommodation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. The Meixi Reservoir is 25 kilometers away from downtown Meizhou, just a 30-minute drive. Since 1997, the reservoir area has raised over 80 million yuan from various sources for tourism development and infrastructure construction. Efforts have been made to enhance the greening of nearby mountains, planting over 30,000 square meters of Taiwan grass, while also improving road facilities, developing traditional cultural landscapes, constructing more than 100 villa-style commercial-residential buildings, and building over 10 hotels. The once desolate Meixi Reservoir has now become an ideal place for urban dwellers to relax their minds and return to nature.

The scenic area boasts enchanting scenery and features five distinctive zones: the Water Park, Guanyin Pagoda, Ten Thousand Carp Lake, Cave Heaven Park, and Fishing Platform. The Water Park currently has an artificial lake covering 7,500 acres with crystal-clear water, surrounded by mountains and dotted with numerous islands in the lake. There are several open-top boats, luxury cabin boats, and hydrofoils shuttling back and forth, allowing visitors to cruise across the ten-mile expanse of blue waves. On the western shore of the reservoir stands the Guanyin Pagoda, built in May 2005. The pagoda is 42 meters tall with nine floors, and its grand scale is rare in Guangdong. Inside the pagoda are many Buddha statues, some of which are precious cultural relics, including a Yuan Dynasty bronze Guanyin statue donated by the famous writer Mr. Cheng Xianzhang. At night, the neon lights installed in the pagoda emit a dazzling glow visible for miles. The Ten Thousand Carp Lake covers an area of fifteen acres, nestled against the mountain and by the water, with ancient banyans, famous trees, pavilions, and towers arranged in a picturesque disorder. It currently raises over 30,000 koi carp, which, after training, seem almost human-like—when visitors arrive, they float to the surface to greet them, turning the entire pond red as if reflecting a sunset. The Cave Heaven Park consists of 3,000 acres of contiguous primeval secondary forest, scattered with deep valleys, streams, Iron Fan Gate, Hidden Grotto Heaven, and other unique rock formations and scenic spots. A clear spring waterfall cascades down from a cliff over ten meters high, like a flowing jade ribbon. The forest is lush with ancient vines, giant creepers, old trees, famous plants, and many rare species, making visitors feel as if they are in a paradise on earth. The Fishing Platform has 200 fishing spots where visitors can take a break from their busy lives, gather a few friends, and enjoy fishing by the lake—an experience that is truly delightful.

The beautiful green ecological environment gives rise to three naturally formed highlights: First is the hot spring bath. About one kilometer from the main dam of the reservoir is a hot spring area with unpolluted water that has therapeutic and health benefits. Second is the clear spring bath. Behind the main dam is a spring-fed swimming pool covering more than 2,000 square meters, with a maximum depth of 3.5 meters. Third is the forest bath. In the Cave Heaven Park, where towering ancient trees are everywhere, the air is rich in oxygen and negative ions, making it a natural oxygen bar.

The “Four Famous Local Products” in the scenic area leave visitors with unforgettable tastes. The honey-sweet Shatian pomelo, the soul-stirring Meijian Silver Tip tea, the crisp and delicious fragrant chestnuts, and the flavorful big bighead carp head all offer visitors a feast for the palate.