Yunji Mountain

Yunji Mountain

Yunji Mountain, originally named Apoji, has a main peak elevation of 1,434.2 meters. It is located at 24°07′ north latitude and 114°08′ east longitude, in the central part of Xinfeng County in northern Guangdong Province, about 10 kilometers from the county seat. It lies within a natural ecosystem zone transitioning from the South Asian tropical to the Mid-Asian tropical region, covering an area of 2,700 hectares. The mountain gets its name from its resemblance to the hair bun on the head of an elderly woman when viewed from afar, and it is a provincial-level nature reserve in Guangdong Province. The Yunji Mountain Nature Reserve spans a total area of 87 square kilometers and is a mountainous scenic tourism area that integrates both a nature reserve and natural landscapes.

“A Journey to the Source, A Trip to Yunji Mountain.” Yunji Mountain is a provincial-level nature reserve in Guangdong Province, with its main peak reaching an elevation of 1,438 meters. It is the source of the Xinfengjiang Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Guangdong. The mountain’s tourism resources mainly consist of natural attractions including mountains, rocks, water, forests, springs, and wildlife. There are hot springs at the foot of the mountain, with water temperatures maintained at around 45°C year-round. There are two lakes on the mountain with development potential: one is “Fairy Lake,” situated between Yunji Mountain and Diaozhongshi (Hanging Bell Rock); the other is Simaoping Reservoir in the western part, which is dubbed “Mandarin Duck Lake” because its upper and lower reservoirs are connected. It is an ideal spot for fishing and water recreation. These two lakes are like two dazzling pearls embedded among the mountains, with their reflections in the water being truly breathtaking.

Yunji Mountain is home to over 200 species of wild animals and more than 1,400 types of wild plants, making it a great destination for hiking and exploration, forest expeditions, waterfall and rock viewing, hot spring bathing, and leisure vacations.

The Yunji Mountain tourist area covers 9 square kilometers and is divided into five functional zones: the mountain-foot resort area, mountain sightseeing area, hot spring health area, Fairy Lake tourism area, and Mandarin Duck Lake leisure area. The area boasts abundant tourism resources, with skillfully combined features such as mountains, rocks, water, forests, cliffs, and springs, creating numerous stunning scenes. Mountain sights include Toad Rock (the mountain peak resembles a toad when viewed from afar), Hat-Rocking Stone (a small stone resting atop a larger one), Wangnan Hui, and Apoji. Rock formations include Lion Looking Back, Playful Elephant Saluting, Golden Turtle Worshiping, Heavenly Dog Guarding the Town, Mother-and-Child Elephants, Five-Finger Rock, Sleeping Beauty, Saving-Son Guanyin, and Diaozhongshi (Hanging Bell Rock). Water scenes include Banana Grove in the Wind, Bamboo Shadows and Clear Waves, the Source of Xinfeng River, Flowing Cloud Waterfall, Sword Dragon Waterfall, Azure Dragon Waterfall, Fairy Lake, Mandarin Duck Lake, and Xikeng Waterfall. Caves include Longyan (Dragon Cave), Yangzhou Alley, and Xiangongyan (Immortal’s Cave).

The Yunji Mountain hot springs are therapeutic in nature, containing various trace elements beneficial to human health such as fluorine, silicon, potassium, and magnesium. They offer certain curative effects for skin diseases, arthritis, and digestive system conditions. Moreover, the scenery here varies distinctively with the seasons: spring flowers, summer breezes, autumn maple leaves, and winter snow—“wind, flowers, snow, and foliage” can all be enjoyed in this one mountain. Additionally, the New Fengjiang Source Waterfall has a drop of 128 meters, and beside it, the five large Chinese characters “New Fengjiang Source,” inscribed by Mr. Shen Peng, Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, shine brilliantly alongside the waterfall, creating a spectacular view.

Yunji Mountain features unique landforms. Along the rugged ridge stretching from Apoji to Lion Peak to Heavenly Dog Rock, as well as the Hanging Bell Rock at the western end, there are steep cliffs and peculiar rocks. Some resemble a “Sleeping Beauty” or a “Queen’s Bath”; others look like a “Heavenly Dog Guarding the Town,” “Mother-and-Child Elephants,” “Golden Monkey Drilling the Mountain,” “Turtle Fighting a Sea Elephant,” “Five-Finger Rock,” or “Pilgrim Golden Monkey.” There are also formations like the “Saving-Son Guanyin,” “Penguin,” “Wagging-Tail Sacred Ox,” “Lion,” “Journey to the West Monks,” “Drunken Lying Pig,” “Eagle,” and “Yangyuan Rock,” all strikingly lifelike, majestic, and grand. At the foot of the mountain in Xikeng Shuangya River, there are hot springs with milky-white, unpolluted, odorless, and bacteria-free water. The temperature remains at around 45°C year-round, with a daily natural flow of up to 300 tons.

Yunji Mountain is located 8 kilometers northwest of Xinfeng County in central-northern Guangdong. It is 147 kilometers from Guangzhou, 220 kilometers from Shenzhen, and 165 kilometers from Shaoguan. The mountain sits in the golden triangle area among these three cities. From Guangzhou, take the Airport Expressway then transfer to the Daguang Expressway and exit at Xinfeng County; from Shenzhen, take the Wu-Shen Expressway directly to Xinfeng; from Shaoguan, take the S10 Shaoguan-Ganzhou Expressway to the G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, then switch to National Highway 106 and Provincial Road 347 via Meikeng Town to reach Xinfeng County. From there, the entrance to the tourist area is located next to the intersection by Xinfeng County No. 3 Middle School.

Ticket/Opening Hours: 40 RMB per person

Scenic Spot Location

Xinfeng County, Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province