Dongtian Lake Ecotourism Resort

Dongtian Lake Ecotourism Resort

Dongtian Lake Ecotourism Resort is a national water conservancy scenic area.

Dongtian Lake Ecotourism Resort in Meizhou City is located in the northwest of Meizhou, adjacent to the Tian-Shan, Mei-Jie, and He-Mei expressways. It is just a two- to four-hour drive from Shantou, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, and 25 kilometers away from downtown Meizhou. The resort is situated within the picturesque and naturally captivating Meixi Reservoir. The reservoir was completed and put into use in April 1967, with a total storage capacity of 51 million cubic meters and a water surface area of 5 square kilometers. It is the only medium-sized reservoir directly managed by Meizhou City, serving multiple purposes including flood control, irrigation, power generation, agricultural aquaculture, and ecotourism.

Dongtian Lake Ecotourism Resort is a developing scenic area that leverages the natural beauty of water conservancy projects and embodies the essence of both modern and traditional water culture. With a planned total area of 22 square kilometers, it combines the grandeur of hydraulic engineering, the serenity of natural landscapes, and the diversity of cultural attractions. It is a beautiful tapestry along the Cheng River and the only “National Water Conservancy Scenic Area” in Meizhou City.

The resort boasts abundant tourism resources including mountains, water, forests, and islands. It features the "Dongtian Park," which consists of 3,000 acres of contiguous secondary primeval forest, as well as over ten unique rock formations and scenic spots such as deep mountain streams, Iron Fan Gate, Hidden Cave Paradise, and Clear Spring Waterfall. There is also an aquatic playground with crystal-clear water, surrounded by mountains and dotted with numerous islets on its 5-square-kilometer water surface. Other highlights include the Pudu Nunnery, founded during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era; remnants of the Meilong Railway; Tanghu Hot Springs; as well as local specialties like Meijian YinHao tea and Dayingtou cuisine. It is a rare ecotourism destination that integrates themes of mountains, water, tea, fish, springs, and Buddhism.

In recent years, the resort has raised funds through various channels to invest in the protection of water environments, soil and water conservation, and ecological preservation, as well as in the development of infrastructure, service facilities, and tourist attractions. Currently, the resort has established five major scenic areas — the Aquatic Playground, Guanyin Pagoda, Wanli Lake, Dongtian Park, and Fishing Pond — as well as tourism reception facilities such as a shopping and dining street, a riverside seafood restaurant, and Tianhu Holiday Villa. The resort receives an average of over 50,000 visitors annually, making it a popular destination for sightseeing and leisure vacations.