Nantai Mountain

Nantai Mountain

Nantai Mountain is located in Shizheng Town, Pingyuan County, Guangdong Province, with an elevation of 648 meters. It is one of the Eight Scenic Spots in Eastern Guangdong. The area features strikingly unique peaks in various shapes. Viewed from south to north, the twin peaks stand side by side like a majestic lion perched on high, presenting a grand and magnificent sight. Viewed from east to west, it resembles a reclining Buddha gazing at the sky. The scenic area boasts numerous peculiar rocks, scenic wonders, historic sites, anecdotes, and touching legends, all contributing to its distinctive history and charm. It includes over 40 attractions, such as the “Eight Scenic Views of Nantai” (Wuxian Hall, Baiyun Temple, Luozhou Cave, Qingyun Temple, Jinshu Mountain, Hezhang Rock, Chumi Stone, and Donglin Temple).

Nantai Mountain ---- is the world’s largest natural reclining Buddha.

Pingyuan County has established the Nantai Mountain Forest Park scenic area based around Nantai Mountain. The planned area spans 2,073.2 hectares, including the Nantai Mountain Reclining Buddha Scenic Area, Shilongzhai Buddha Viewing Scenic Area, and Chengmin Memorial Park Scenic Area.

In August 2007, it was officially named Guangdong Nantai Mountain Forest Park by the Guangdong Provincial Forestry Bureau, becoming a provincial-level forest park.

On December 25, 2009, pursuant to “Forest Farm Permit [2009] No. 1064,” approval was granted to establish the Nantai Mountain National Forest Park, officially named “Guangdong Nantai Mountain National Forest Park.”

According to local geological records, Nantai Mountain in Pingyuan County formed during the mid-to-late Jurassic period over 100 million years ago. Due to tectonic movements, it gradually developed into rocky peaks primarily composed of conglomerate rock layers, forming a typical danxia landform. The cliff faces are layered with faults from top to bottom, displaying vibrant hues like radiant red clouds. The natural reclining Buddha of Nantai Mountain uses the surrounding mountains as its body, with its head, forehead, eyes, nose, lips, neck, chest, waist, legs, and feet all clearly distinguishable. At sunrise, the entire figure glows bright red; at sunset, the back is bathed in radiant light, making the whole mountain resemble a vivid silhouette of a “reclining Buddha.”

The natural reclining Buddha of Nantai Mountain spans two provinces—its body lies in Guangdong while its feet extend into Xunwu, Jiangxi. Its head, body, and feet are formed by the continuous ranges of Nantai Mountain, Qingyun Mountain, and Zilin Mountain. The Buddha’s head is Nantai Mountain, where the rocks, bamboo, greenery, paths, pavilions, and temples represent the Buddha’s hair bun, forehead, eyelashes, bridge of the nose, lips, and chin respectively. The Buddha’s body is Qingyun Mountain, with its broad chest and round waist clearly defined. The symmetrical legs and the uplifted soles of the Buddha’s feet are mostly formed by Zilin Mountain.

Shizheng Town: Shizheng Town is one of the 268 central towns in Guangdong Province. It governs 19 village committees and 1 neighborhood committee, covering an area of 98 square kilometers with a population of over 32,000. It is located 12 kilometers from the county seat, borders Xunwu County of Jiangxi to the west, and adjoins Xingning City and Meixian District to the south. Provincial Highway S225 runs around the town, providing very convenient transportation. Shizheng boasts abundant natural resources such as coal, limestone, porcelain clay, copper, quartz, and hydropower, as well as tourism resources including Zhongdong Hot Springs, Fushi Reservoir, and Nantai Mountain. The town has a well-developed industrial sector, including a cement production line with an annual output of 300,000 tons, a limestone quarry with an annual output of 300,000 tons, and... More details about Shizheng Town++