Nankun Mountain Ecotourism Area

Nankun Mountain Ecotourism Area

Nankun Mountain Ecotourism Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national nature reserve.

Nankun Mountain is located in Longmen County, Huizhou City. It lies 129 kilometers east of Huizhou, less than 300 kilometers from Hong Kong, 97 kilometers south of Guangzhou, and 42 kilometers west of Conghua Hot Springs, adjacent to Zengcheng and Conghua. The majority of visitors come from Huizhou, Guangzhou, Zengcheng, Foshan, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Hong Kong. The peak tourist season in Nankun Mountain is from May to October, with August being the busiest month, known for its summer retreat appeal.

Nankun Mountain boasts an intact ecosystem and rich flora and fauna resources. It is home to over 2,000 plant species, including more than 500 types of original highland plants dominated by broadleaf forests. In addition to economically valuable trees such as oak, parasol, evergreen oak, and chestnut, there are also over 20 rare and endangered plant species under national protection, including the “glacier elder” Amentotaxus argotaenia, the “living fossil” Alsophila spinulosa, as well as Rhodoleia championii, Nageia nagi, Ginkgo biloba, and Tsoongiodendron odorum. There are also over 40 types of wild fruits such as wild kiwi and bayberry, more than 10 varieties of Chinese orchids, and over 50 kinds of precious medicinal herbs. Most notably, the area features a vast bamboo sea, with over 60,000 acres of contiguous moso bamboo forests—rare in southern China. The rolling mountain forests are also home to over 130 animal species, including many rare ones.

Natural Landscapes

The main natural attractions of Nankun Mountain include the Stone River Wonder, Chuanlong Waterfall, Nine-Tiered Vista, Guanyin Pool, Xianxia Waterfall, Snake Pine, and Eagle Rock, among more than ten sites. These are characterized mainly by serene woodlands, peculiar rocks, and flowing springs and waterfalls. Additionally, the local wild game, Guanyin vegetable, mountain stream snails, and rock-filtered tofu are culinary highlights. With its high elevation and surrounding mountains, the area enjoys warm winters and cool summers, with an average annual temperature of just 23°C, making it an ideal destination for leisure, vacation, convalescence, and summer escape.

Attraction Introduction

Stone River Wonder

Approximately half a kilometer from the Nankun Mountain Tourist Center lies a section of a small river. The river is scattered with bizarre rocks, featuring seven small pools in a row, with an even larger pool upstream. The large pool is crystal-clear, with schools of small fish swimming about. By the pool are two large reddish-blue stones with patterned edges resembling a woman’s skirt, known as the “Skirt Stone.” There is also a large stone in the river shaped like a dressing table, called the “Dressing Mirror Stone.” Beside the Dressing Mirror Stone is a small round pool, referred to as the “Makeup Removal Pool.” This large pool is one of Nankun Mountain’s scenic spots — the Fairy Pool. The seven smaller pools are called the Seven Fairies Pools. Due to the many unusual rocks, literati and poets have named this place the “Stone River Wonder.” A legend surrounds it: In ancient times, the Seven Fairies in heaven envied the beautiful scenery on Earth. Defying the heavenly rules, they secretly descended to the mortal realm. One day, while wandering Nankun Mountain during the peak of summer heat, they spotted a stream in the dense forest with cascading waterfalls and silver waves, tempting them to bathe and freshen up. The local mountain and river deities, eager to please the fairies, piled up stones to create seven small pools and one large one for their private and communal bathing. The fairies removed their celestial attire, each taking a pool to wash joyfully, then gathered in the large pool to splash and play. Their laughter echoed through the valley. They were having so much fun that they lost track of time and stayed for seven days. The Queen Mother of Heaven, discovering their unauthorized and prolonged stay, sent heavenly guards to retrieve them. As the guards arrived above the Stone River and saw the fairies reluctant to leave, they proclaimed, “By order of the Queen Mother, we are here to take you back!” Instantly, the sky darkened, thunder roared, and lightning flashed. Before they could dress, the fairies were taken back to heaven. Their abandoned garments and the dressing mirror turned into the Skirt Stone and the Dressing Mirror Stone. Even today, the outline of the mirror frame can still be clearly seen. With this enchanting legend, the Fairy Pool became a place of longing. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month every year, groups of young women from Nankun trek to the Makeup Removal Pool to bathe and wash their faces with its water, believing it will make them fairer and more delicate. Perhaps it's why generations of Nankun girls have grown up so beautiful?

Seven-Star Lake

Nankun Mountain has a place called “Seven-Star Mound.” The origin of its name comes with a legend: It is said that long, long ago, the Seven Fairies heard that Nankun Mountain on Earth was more heavenly than heaven itself — a perfect summer retreat. One day, the fairies asked the Queen Mother for permission to visit Earth. The Queen Mother, puzzled, asked, “Heaven is so wonderful, why would you want to go to Earth?” The fairies replied in unison, “Haven’t you always said that seeing is better than hearing? Let us see Nankun Mountain with our own eyes!” They then knelt before the Queen Mother. Unable to refuse, she granted them a brief leave. The fairies rode clouds and mist and in the blink of an eye arrived at the picturesque Nankun Mountain. There, they found undulating hills, lush green bamboo, towering ancient trees, hanging waterfalls, and birdsong all around. The fairies were so captivated that they didn’t want to leave. The Queen Mother then sent someone to summon them back with the sound of a gong. Upon hearing the call to return, the fairies left Nankun Mountain reluctantly. After the fairies departed, seven small hills grew on the spots where they had stood. People named these the “Seven-Star Mounds.” Their arrangement resembles the Big Dipper in the sky, and because “star” and “fairy” sound similar in Chinese, they’re also called “Seven-Star Immortal Mounds.” Later, a reservoir was built at the site, now known as “Seven-Star Lake.”

Tiantangding (Heaven’s Summit)

At the junction of Longmen, Zengcheng, and Conghua counties stands a mountain shrouded in mist, piercing the clouds. This is Nankun Mountain’s main peak — Tiantangding (Heaven’s Summit). Legend says that long ago, there were no high mountains in Nankun. One year, a massive water dragon came from the northeast, arriving in Nankun. Each year, the dragon spewed vast amounts of water, causing relentless floods that submerged the farmland, making life unsustainable. The villagers prepared to flee downhill. News of their plight eventually reached the Heavenly Emperor. Troubled and sleepless, the Emperor was determined to descend to Nankun to subdue the vicious water dragon and save the people. One day, after bidding farewell to his wife and son, the Heavenly Emperor donned his sword and descended to Earth, arriving at Nankun Mountain. After he left, his wife and son waited and hoped for his return day after day, month after month, but he never came back. One day, a crane flew down bearing bad news: the Heavenly Emperor had fought the water dragon to the death. Though he killed the beast, the poison from its venom had drained and killed him. Hearing this, his wife and son fainted on the spot. When they awoke, they packed in haste and descended to Earth to search for the Heavenly Emperor’s grave on Nankun. They trekked across mountains, waded through streams, and pushed through ancient forests, yet found no trace of the grave amid the towering trees and wild grass. They cried out in desperation, their voices echoing through the valleys. Their cries moved the Mountain God, who appeared as an old man and said, “Follow me.” He led them to the highest peak, where a tall, towering stone rose straight from the summit into the clouds. Pointing to the stone, the old man said, “This is the Heavenly Emperor Stone — his tombstone.” Then, as suddenly as he appeared, he vanished like a breeze. The mother and son fell to their knees before the stone and wept bitterly. The son said, “Mother, we can only visit Father on Qingming and Chongyang Festivals. It’s not easy traveling between Heaven and Earth. If we work together to fill the mountain with soil until it reaches Heaven, we could worship him every day.” His mother agreed, and they began carrying soil to the mountain every day. Their dedication moved the Mountain God again. He appeared once more as the old man and said, “The Heavenly Emperor did good deeds and rid the people of disaster. We have long known.” Then he disappeared. Soon after, the tombstone began to rise higher and higher, until it pierced the heavens and became a great mountain. From then on, the mother and son no longer needed to descend to Earth to worship. Instead, they offered incense to the tombstone from Heaven. Later, people named the mountain “Tiantangding (Heaven’s Summit).” To this day, visitors to the summit can still see that great stone.

Chuanlong Waterfall

Deep within Nankun Mountain’s bamboo forests lies a valley. At its end stands a steep cliff inscribed with the three characters “Chuanlong Gorge,” written by the famous calligrapher Qin Esheng. A stream of mountain spring water bursts from a cave shaped like a dragon’s head, cascading down into a deep pool — a spectacular sight. Even in the height of summer, a cool breeze can be felt when standing on the pavilion overlooking the waterfall. Chuanlong Gorge, originally called Shixia Mountain, has its own legend: In the past, the region suffered a severe drought. The scorching sun heated the rocks until they seemed to burn, and the bamboo and trees were drying up. The villagers were in despair. The elders gathered everyone to burn incense and pray for rain at the foot of Shixia Mountain. By chance, a deity passing through the skies in a cloud witnessed the suffering below and reported it to the Heavenly King. The Heavenly King then dispatched the Sea God to the East Sea to instruct the Dragon King to save the villagers. Soon, the Dragon King ordered the Chuan Water Dragon to carry out the mission. The dragon leapt from the sea and struck the fiery rocks with tremendous force. Thunder roared, lightning flashed, and dark clouds gathered. Then, a torrential rain poured down. The Chuan Water Dragon turned into a waterfall, remaining in the mountains to end the drought. Since then, the area has been lush with trees and emerald bamboo. People renamed the place “Chuan Water Dragon,” and Shixia Mountain became known as “Chuanlong Gorge.”

Tianpingding (Heavenly Summit)

At the junction of Longmen, Zengcheng, and Conghua counties stands a mountain shrouded in mist and soaring high into the clouds when viewed from afar. It is the main peak of Nankun Mountain—Tianpingding (Heavenly Summit).

Legend has it that long ago, there were no high mountains in Nankun. One year, a massive water dragon came from the northeast to the south and arrived at Nankun. Every year, this water dragon spewed immense torrents, causing floods to rise continuously. Farmland remained submerged year-round, making life unbearable for the people, many of whom prepared to leave the mountains. The suffering of the Nankun people soon reached the Heavenly Emperor. Upon learning of their plight, the Heavenly Emperor lost his appetite and sleep, determined to descend to Nankun to subdue the vicious water dragon and save the people.

One day, the Heavenly Emperor bid farewell to his wife and beloved son, donned his sword, and descended to the mortal realm, arriving at Nankun. After he left, the mother and son waited day after day and month after month for his return. Winter turned to spring, but the Heavenly Emperor never came back. One day, a crane flew down from the heavens bearing bad news: the Heavenly Emperor had fought fiercely with the water dragon. Though the dragon was slain, the Heavenly Emperor was exhausted and poisoned by the dragon’s venomous breath. He died from the poison. Upon hearing this, the mother and son fainted on the spot. Soon after regaining consciousness, they hastily packed their belongings, descended to the mortal world, and journeyed to Nankun in search of the Heavenly Emperor’s tomb.

Trekking through mountains and rivers, climbing over rocks, passing through ancient forests, and wading across streams, the mother and son saw only towering ancient trees and wild grasses everywhere—but found no trace of the Heavenly Emperor’s grave. They called out loudly as they hurried along, their cries echoing through the mountain valleys.

Their cries moved the Mountain God, who transformed into an old man and appeared before them, saying, “Follow me.”

The old man led the mother and son to the highest peak. At its summit stood a tall, massive stone rising straight from the ground, piercing the clouds.

The old man pointed to the great stone and said, “This is the Heavenly Emperor Stone, and also the Heavenly Emperor’s tombstone.” With that, the old man transformed into a breeze and vanished.

Upon seeing the tombstone, the mother and son collapsed in front of it and wept bitterly. The son then said to his mother through tears, “Mother, every year during Qingming and Chongyang Festivals, we must come down to the mortal world to pay respects to Father. It’s not easy traveling between heaven and earth. If we work together to carry soil and build up this mountain all the way to heaven, we could worship him morning and night.” His mother agreed, and so they began carrying soil to fill the mountain without rest.

Their actions once again moved the Mountain God, who transformed into an old man and appeared before them. “The Heavenly Emperor did good deeds and saved the people from disaster. The Mountain God has long known this,” the old man said. Just then, he turned into a breeze and disappeared. After he left, the tombstone on the mountain began to rise higher and higher until it reached Tianpingding, forming a great mountain. From then on, the mother and son no longer needed to descend to the mortal realm to worship the Heavenly Emperor Stone—they could offer incense and pay homage to the tombstone in heaven both morning and night. Later, people named this mountain “Tianpingding” (Heavenly Summit). To this day, visitors who climb to Tianpingding can still see this great stone.

Chuanlong Waterfall

Deep within the bamboo forest of Nankun Mountain lies a valley. At the valley’s end, steep cliffs stand tall, and one cliff face bears the inscription “Chuanlong Gorge” (Stream Dragon Gorge), written by the famed calligrapher Qin Esheng. A stream of mountain spring water gushes out from a cave shaped like a dragon’s head, cascading down into a deep pool—a spectacular sight. Standing on the pavilion beside the gorge and viewing the waterfall, even in the height of summer, one can feel a cool breeze.

Chuanlong Gorge was originally called Shixia Mountain. Legend has it that in the past, the area around Shixia Mountain suffered a severe drought. The scorching sun heated the stones until they seemed to emit flames, and the bamboo and trees were drying up. The villagers were anxious and full of complaints. The elders of the village gathered and, after deliberation, led people of all ages to burn incense and pray for rain at the foot of Shixia Mountain. By coincidence, a deity passed by on a cloud and, witnessing the plight of the people, returned to the Heavenly Court to report it to the Heavenly King. The Heavenly King then dispatched the Sea God to the East Sea to instruct the Dragon King to save the villagers. Before long, the Dragon King assigned a Stream Water Dragon to carry out the decree. The Stream Water Dragon leapt from the sea and charged straight for Shixia Mountain, violently striking the fiery boulders. In an instant, thunder roared, lightning flashed, and dark clouds gathered. Then, a torrential rain poured down, bringing relief. The Stream Water Dragon also transformed into a waterfall, remaining in the mountains to end the villagers’ suffering from drought. Since then, Shixia Mountain has been lush with trees and emerald green bamboo. Later generations named the place “Stream Water Dragon,” and Shixia Mountain became known as “Chuanlong Gorge” (Stream Dragon Gorge).

Guanyin Pool

About four kilometers west of Nankunshan Town lies a scenic spot called Guanyin Appreciating Water. It is situated in a mountain stream, where three levels of waterfalls cascade one after another. The lowest waterfall is hidden behind a veil of water, behind which stands a white stone resembling Guanyin sitting serenely, quietly admiring the emerald-green pool. Visitors can faintly see this stone Guanyin through the water veil. There is a mythological legend about this scenic site:

Legend has it that long, long ago, the Goddess Guanyin, having heard of the beauty of Nankunshan, came here to “take in the full splendor of the southern mountains.” One day, she arrived at a place called Youlou Cave, where she saw the stream water tumbling down in three stages, forming three levels of waterfalls before pouring into a deep pool — a scene quite different from the famous Lushan Waterfalls. So enchanted was she that she sat on the rock behind the water veil, sipping tea and admiring the water, and stayed there for a long time. When she eventually left, she used her ability to create a spiritual duplicate, leaving behind an effigy and a golden cup for holding water. This golden cup was magical — when the stream water was abundant, it could store the excess; when the stream ran low and the waterfall was less impressive, the water stored in the golden cup would overflow, keeping the waterfall as majestic as ever and ensuring the continuous flow of the mountain stream. It is said that greedy people once tried to dive into the deep pool to steal the golden cup, but they could see it yet not reach it; if they managed to get close, they could see it but not touch it; and if they touched it, they couldn’t get out. Because those who entered the pool in greed to steal the cup rarely came out unscathed, no one dared to try stealing it afterward.

Nankunshan Ecotourism Area: Located in the southwest of Longmen County, Huizhou City, Nankunshan was approved as a “National Forest Park” in 1993. It is a vast green treasure with a forest coverage rate of 98.2%, often hailed as the “Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer,” the “Summer Paradise of the South,” and the “Back Garden of the Pearl River Delta.” With an average altitude of over 600 meters, its main peak, TianTangding (Heavenly Peak), rises to 1,228 meters. The area forms a horseshoe-shaped valley basin extending from west to east. It is 97 kilometers from Guangzhou, 162 kilometers from Shenzhen, and 56 kilometers from Longmen County seat.

The craftsmanship of nature has created wonders such as the Chuanlong Waterfall... More detailed information about Nankunshan Ecotourism Area++