Shengtian Lake

　　Situated at the foot of Huaying Mountain, within the boundaries of Pianyan Town, 48 kilometers from Beibei and at an altitude of 390 meters, it is the source of the Heishuitan River. Constructed in the 1970s by nearly ten thousand laborers through nearly a decade of arduous effort—at the cost of 21 lives and over 70 injuries—it is one of the rare high-altitude man-made lakes on the land of Bashu and also a historical testament to the Chinese spirit of conquering nature, hence its name. The lake covers an area of 1.5 square kilometers, with a water surface of 0.5 square kilometers, a depth of 39 meters, and a total storage capacity of 15.95 million cubic meters.

　　Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Shengtian Lake features steep and graceful peaks, winding shores, and beautiful waters. It is known for its serene environment, emerald waters, towering waterfalls, and peculiar rocks. It enjoys the reputation of being the “Jade Pool on Earth” of Huaying Mountain. “Lion Island” is covered with lush trees, “One-Line Sky” boasts sheer cliffs, “Three Yuan Cave” is mysterious and deep, and the lake’s dam stands firmly with an exquisite craftsmanship. On clear nights, with bright stars and a glowing moon, the lake and islands appear hazy, like a scene from a fairyland such as Penglai. In 1987, it was designated as a municipal-level scenic area, making it a rare summer retreat and ideal destination for leisure and recuperation.

　　When the boat reaches the mouth of “Three Yuan Gorge,” disembark and you’ll enter the deep “One-Line Sky” canyon area. Inside the valley lies a world of bizarre rocks. The endless stones spread out as far as the eye can see—some lying sideways or upright, some jutting out precariously, some piled or pressed together, some standing in clusters—scattered in disarray with varied shapes that leave one astonished. Climbing through the jumble of rocks and finding paths through the crevices, with feet digging in and hands grasping, as you venture deeper, it feels like entering a maze. Looking left and right, an exit is hard to find. After finally making your way out, when you look up, you’ll see a massive rock rising from the ground, leaning and standing tall, just like a heaven-piercing sword, seemingly capable of stabbing through the sky. The huge rock is unsupported all around, with perilous surroundings, as if it could collapse at any moment.

　　Making your way through the stacked rocks, you’ll glimpse, hidden among the trees and halfway up the mountain, a karst cave—this is the “Three Yuan Cave.” This cave has two entrances, one at the top and one at the bottom. The upper entrance serves as a window and cannot be entered; the lower entrance leads inside, where stone stalagmites and stalactites are densely clustered. Legend has it that in ancient times, three scholars who failed the imperial examinations and were too ashamed to return home came to this cave to study. They eventually excelled in the tests and thus the cave was named “Three Yuan Cave” (meaning “Three successful attempts”). Along a winding mountain path near the cave entrance, you can reach the top of Huaying Mountain to witness the view of “Snow-Covered Huaying at Dawn.”

　　Only when you immerse yourself in the lake and mountain scenery can you feel the awakening, leap, and elevation of imagination, and come to understand the mystery of beauty. Surveying the landscape of Shengtian Lake, as long as your soul resonates with it, you will discover that the undulating mountain ridges, proud and majestic, resemble statues of boat trackers—leaning forward as they pull ropes, exuding a vigorous masculine energy and a powerful sense of strength. Meanwhile, the quiet and solemn lake bays, with their enchanting curves and clear ripples, display an elegant form, a gentle charm, and are filled with countless tender feelings.

　　Dicui Gorge is located in a tributary upstream of Shengtian Lake. The gorge is lush and green, making it perfect for hikers looking to explore. Route: Take a chartered vehicle from Pianyan to the Gypsum Factory. About 800 meters upstream on the left side of the gorge, there is a cave entrance with a stream flowing out of it. After visiting, return to the mouth of the gorge, cross the river, walk through 50 meters of woods to the riverbank, and follow the bank into the right-hand gorge—that is Dicui Gorge.