Tongguzhang

Tongguzhang

“When autumn comes, the land turns pure and bright, as the rising sun casts a kaleidoscope of light.” Located in Shatian Town, Fengshun County, Tongguzhang stands at an elevation of 1,559.5 meters, making it the highest peak in eastern Guangdong. Since ancient times, its majestic grandeur and richly diverse natural landscapes have captivated the hearts of poets, scholars, nobles, and commoners alike.

There are several theories about how Tongguzhang got its name.

One theory suggests it was named for its flat, broad summit, which is round like a drum.

Another theory holds that it is named after the powerful sound of the mountain winds, which roar through the peaks like a bronze drum. Camping overnight at Tongguzhang, one can hear the fierce mountain gales and roaring forests echoing across the ridges, stirring the blood and igniting a sense of awe.

Yet another theory claims that this peak was once a site where ancient Yue people placed bronze drums, hence the name. The Baiyue were an ancient ethnic group inhabiting southeastern and southern China and were the largest tribal grouping south of the Yangtze River in ancient times. In 1982, a cultural relics survey across Guangdong’s cities and counties revealed that 56 bronze drums had been unearthed in 18 counties including Gaozhou and Huazhou, now housed in local museums. Places such as Baidu of Bobai, Tonggu Village of Qinzhou, Tonggu Pond of Lianjiang, and Tonggu Ridge of Qujiang all derive their names from the discovery of buried bronze drums. Whether Tongguzhang also conceals such drums remains a matter of speculation.

Tongguzhang boasts breathtaking scenery and abundant natural resources. Its sweeping, screen-like mountain ranges are covered in lush green trees and bamboo forests, with a rich diversity of plant species, making it an ideal destination for sightseeing and botanical education. Vast stretches of evergreen alpine plants, locally called “Tongguzhang Green,” create dense shade and an atmosphere of serene depth. Hidden within the thick woods grow clusters of cool-growing orchids, featuring varieties known for unique foliage, floral forms, and fragrances. Recently, scholars have collected five new plant species recorded for the first time in Guangdong province on Tongguzhang—Litsea coreana var. lanuginosa, Dalbergia pierreana, Rubus glabricarpus, Camellia lutchuensis var. parviflora, and Cryptostegia colubrina. The specimens are stored at the College of Forestry, South China Agricultural University. Aside from timber and bamboo, the area yields mushrooms, wood ear fungus, herbs, honey, tea, fish, shrimp, fragrant snails, and stone frogs. A folk rhyme goes: “Tongguzhang has treasures on three sides, and on the fourth, coptis and licorice.”

The summit of Tongguzhang is broad and flat, with several acres of open ground. Watching the sunrise from the peak at dawn to witness the “golden sea of clouds” bathed in rosy hues is an experience beyond words. Even on overcast days, when visibility is near zero and the clouds churn endlessly, the ever-changing moods of nature offer a unique thrill. On clear days, standing atop the summit and looking out, one sees valleys crisscrossing below, surrounding mountains lying low, and the Mei River and Han River stretching like silken ribbons toward the southeast, revealing the boundless beauty of Meizhou and Chaozhou.

Descending from the summit to around 1,200 meters above sea level, there lies a vast meadow spanning approximately a thousand acres. It was once reportedly considered as a potential site for a high-altitude airport, thanks to its flat terrain and lush vegetation. In the center of this meadow, springs converge to form a natural lake. The water is crystal-clear and shimmering, offering a refreshing view. Locals say the lake is named “Tongluo Lake” after the nearby Tongluo Village situated just downhill. Even during centuries-long droughts, the lake never dries up. In rainy years, it swells enormously, with surrounding peaks appearing like islands, giving rise to the tale of “Tongguzhang submerged in water.” Just as Heaven Lake lies in Tianshan, Mirror Lake in Changbai Mountain, and Ruyi Lake in Lushan, … where mountains are high and nourished by water, divine creation leaves no stone unturned — a magnificent feat indeed.

Tongguzhang lies within the fault zone of the Lotus Mountain Range. Due to rock weathering and water erosion, the area features a variety of uniquely shaped rock formations. Many of these have been given imaginative names, along with local legends. For example, the Jade Buddha’s Hand is said to be the palm print left by the Thunder God General; the Immortal Collecting Treasures depicts an immortal retrieving valuables from a stone cabinet, prompting the saying “mountains of gold and silver, carried away by immortals”; the Golden Turtle Descending the Mountain promises safety and health if touched once, and promotion and wealth if touched twice; Lion Pond features three large rocks by the water’s edge resembling lions gazing at the peak; Stacked Rocks by the Immortals consists of a large rock piled with smaller ones and topped by an even larger one, forming a precariously balanced yet steadfast structure; Immortal Footprint Rock bears imprints said to have been left by the Eight Immortals; Monkey Hugging Neck is a rock formation resembling a beautiful woman blocking the path, whose neck must be embraced like a monkey’s to pass; and Boat Stone Pond hides two boat-shaped boulders beneath its waters…

Midway up Tongguzhang’s slopes lies a massive waterfall that cascades down from a cliff hundreds of meters high, gathering into a pool with emerald-clear water. The area around the pool is home to many rare trees and flowers. Known as the “Seven Emotions Waterfall,” the falls and the pool beneath, called the “Mandarin Duck Pool,” are steeped in legend. Some say a pair of lovers climbed the waterfall seven times to express their affection; others claim the lovers bathed in the pool for a hundred days to pledge eternal union. There are tales of seven beautiful women known as the Seven Flower Fairies emerging from the waterfall, attracting suitors from far and wide; or of a tragic couple who drowned themselves in the pool after their marriage was forbidden. Local villagers are said to test potential partners by visiting the Seven Emotions Waterfall. A folk song goes: “If you wish to marry me, pass through the Seven Emotions Water. Its clear waters mirror love eternal, promising harmony for a hundred years.” Another verse: “The Seven Emotions Waters run so clear, washing reveals the depth of love. Together we vow our love will last, steadfast as the seas and unyielding as stones.”

Location of the Scenic Area

Shatian Town, Fengshun County, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province

Shatian Town: Located in the northeast of Fengshun County, Shatian Town is 86 kilometers from the county seat, Tangkeng. It borders Tanjiang Town and Zhoubui Town of Dapu County to the east, Jiemeng Town to the west, Xiaosheng Town to the south, and Yinzhou Town of Dapu County and Baiwu Town of Meixian District to the north. The town covers a total area of 146.25 square kilometers, with 180,000 mu of forested land, 5,958 mu of arable land, and 163 mu of fish ponds. The town government is located on Qiaodong Street in Shatian Market.

The area is surrounded by mountains on all sides. To the northwest lies the main peak of the Lotus Mountain Range — Tongguzhang, which stands 1,559.5 meters above sea level and is the highest peak in eastern Guangdong; … More details about Shatian Town ++