Xishan Bay Scenic Area

Xishan Bay Scenic Area

Xishan Bay Scenic Area is a national water conservancy scenic area.

The scenic area is located 15 kilometers east of Duolun County, with Provincial Highway 308 leading directly to it. Taxis from within the county can reach the area at any time, and the scenic area is open 24 hours a day.

Xishan Bay Reservoir covers a water surface area of 20,000 mu and has a storage capacity of 100 million cubic meters. The natural landscape is rich and diverse, with distinct seasonal temperature variations. Along both banks of the reservoir area and on the islands, peninsulas, and sandbanks within the lake, the elements of mountains, water, sand, grass, and forests blend seamlessly, forming a spectacular yet elegant three-dimensional panorama. The entire tourist area offers a vast space for development, distinctive features, a variety of types, and numerous potential tourism activities, making it ideal for leisure and vacation travel.

E’mo Mountain and Guanyin Cave: Historical records indicate that in the 45th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1706), a Manchu military camp called “Zhenghongqi Yingfang” was established at Xishan Bay. The families of the soldiers also relocated here, and the Manchu people thus took root in the area. E’mo Mountain is a mountain revered by the local Manchu community, regarded as a sacred mother mountain (E’mo means “mother” in the Manchu language). The E’mo Pavilion on the mountain was built for visitors to rest. Guanyin Cave is a place where people offer incense and pray to the Bodhisattva. Legend has it that during the Kangxi era, when the Eight Banners soldiers first arrived, they suffered from unfamiliar environmental conditions, developing skin diseases and pains in their waists and legs. They prayed to Guanyin Bodhisattva on E’mo Mountain, hoping for a swift recovery. One day, a pool of not-too-deep and not-too-cold living water appeared by the river, and the soldiers went there to bathe—surprisingly, their illnesses were cured. It is said that some people even witnessed Guanyin Bodhisattva standing on the water’s surface, and they believed this clear pool was formed from the sweet dew in her holy vase. To commemorate this event, Guanyin Cave was built. To respect the ethnic religious beliefs, the dam construction preserved Guanyin Cave, which is the one that exists today.

Rafting: The rafting experience at Xishan Bay is set in a natural river channel. The water is crystal clear and of moderate depth, with lush trees and grass along both banks, accompanied by birdsong and floral scents. As you lie back on the raft and gently drift along while admiring the beauty of the blue sky and white clouds, you will feel an unparalleled sense of relaxation, truly experiencing the joy of returning to nature.