Tianlong Gorge in Lianzhou

Tianlong Gorge in Lianzhou

Tianlong Gorge in Lianzhou is located at the southern foot of the Qitian Mountain Range within the Five Ridges, bordering Mangshan to the north and connecting to Guangdong’s Highest Peak to the south.

In the past, the Tianlong Gorge was rich in water flow, with mountain streams surging out from the mouth of the gorge, cascading hundreds of meters down to form a massive waterfall like a flying silk ribbon, plunging directly into a deep pool. Its majestic and spectacular presence could be considered the most breathtaking in all of southern Guangdong.

The flying ribbon-like waterfall plunged into the deep pool and flowed into the Huangchuan River, becoming one of the sources of the North River, part of the Pearl River system. Li Daoyuan recorded it as the water source of the “Kuang Waterfall” in his "Commentary on the Water Classic."

At the mouth of the Tianlong Gorge, there is a mountain range that strikingly resembles a dragon emerging from the gorge, called the "Green Dragon Head." Two peaks rise upward like the horns of a giant dragon, offering views of the serene depths of the pool. Legend has it that a thousand-year-old turtle resides in the pool, giving it the name the Divine Turtle Pool.

In 1965, a reservoir was built upstream of the Tianlong Gorge, forming the Tanling Tianhu (Heavenly Lake), and the once magnificent sight of the flying ribbon-like waterfall has become rarely seen, visible only during the few days each year when the reservoir releases floodwaters.

With the disappearance of the great waterfall, the gorge has revealed its most pristine appearance, allowing people to venture deep inside and explore the mysterious wonders of nature.

The gorge echoes the dragon’s roar from the azure depths.

Tianlong Gorge first publicly unveiled itself to the world during the "Lianzhou International Photography Biennale." Its fantastical scenery initially stunned visitors, then filled them with wonder, marking it as yet another sensory feast that Lianzhou offers to the world after the photography biennale.

Tianlong Gorge is located in Tanling in the northeastern part of Lianzhou, stretching approximately 1.8 kilometers in length with valley depths of 150-200 meters. Adjacent to Tanling Tianhu, the gorge is about 50 kilometers from downtown Lianzhou, with a drive of around one hour.

Reporters recently visited Tianlong Gorge, just as a cold front was moving south. The warm interior of the car made everyone drowsy, and the overgrown vines and trees outside the window were visually tiresome. However, as the vehicle climbed to over 600 meters above sea level at the Tianlong Gorge scenic area, the view suddenly opened up. Stepping out of the car, the sudden chill refreshed and invigorated everyone.

Leaning on the railing, one looks down upon a hundred-meter-deep valley, vast and imposing. To the south, across the way, a high ridge juts out abruptly, as if an army were pressing forward, with two peaks rising sharply like horns—one called Dragon Horn Ridge and the other Tianlong Horn. Moving along the railing upwards and ascending through a simple archway, the path is flanked by pine branches weighed down with icicles, creating a cold and desolate atmosphere. In the distance, patches of unmelted snow occasionally dot the forest, bringing spontaneous joy.

After walking two to three hundred meters along the mountain path, it’s easy to climb to the summits of Dragon Horn Ridge and Tianlong Horn. The summit of Tianlong Horn consists of only a few massive rocks, with one weighing ten to twenty tons, its base resting precariously on a slant at the peak, as if it had flown in from the heavens—dangerous and spectacularly unique. Looking westward, the view is vast and ethereal; standing atop the heights and peering down into the abyss, a hundred-meter chasm inspires awe. Looking back north toward the railing area, steep cliffs slope sharply downward, with thick layers of rugged rock spread out in a chaotic yet mesmerizing array.

Climbing to the “Dragon Horns” to take in the sweeping landscape is merely the “starter” of Tianlong Gorge’s “sensory feast”—the “main course” lies ahead. Retracing steps from the summit of Dragon Horn Ridge and descending the southern slope, one passes through a natural “green corridor” formed by intertwined ancient trees and vines. Descending a hundred meters, you arrive at the long and secluded Tianlong Gorge.

Tianlong Gorge was formed during the Quaternary Ice Age three million years ago. Long, winding, and resembling a dragon’s roar, it seems ready to burst forth from the perilous ridges. Intense glacial fissure movements have left behind fantastical glacial relics in the gorge.

In winter, the gorge is in its dry season, with sparse streams weaving through the crevices of the rocks, forming pools of various sizes in the countless indentations—each one a beautiful sight. In the wilderness, the gentle gurgling of water can be heard, adding to the profound silence.

The glacial relics of the gorge are reflected in the bizarre and chaotic shapes of the rocks—wild, colorful, disordered, and unbelievable. Throughout the long, narrow valley, rocks are strewn everywhere, presenting a grand yet monotonous and tangled scene. Scattered among them are a few trees and aquatic plants, while streams trickle and ripple with blue-green waters, instantly bringing the scene to life with charm and vitality—the natural chaos is, in itself, its own order.

The sweeping views from the summit of Tianlong Horn offer a grand, poetic appreciation, a refined expression of emotion, while an impromptu stroll through the natural landscape of Tianlong Gorge is an intimate, hands-on experience, a playful engagement with nature—a lifestyle full of charm.

Your Guide

Ticket Price: To visit Tianlong Gorge and view Tanling Tianhu (30 RMB/person). Route: The journey from downtown Lianzhou to Tianlong Gorge scenic area is entirely on smooth cement roads, making for a smooth ride.

Qingyuan – (2.5 hours) – Lianzhou – (1 hour) – Tianlong Gorge [2-hour visit] – Tanling Tianhu [30-minute visit] – (40 minutes) – Baoshan Fushan Forty-Nine Blessed Sites [1-hour visit] – (1 hour) – Sanshui Guapang Yao Village [1-hour visit] – Return to Lianzhou

Recommended Dining: After visiting Tianlong Gorge, walk just 500 meters from the exit to reach Tanling Tianhu, where you can sample large fish heads from the Tianhu Reservoir and hearty farmhouse-style dishes.