Lulin Mountain Scenic Area

　　The Lulin Mountain Scenic Area is located in Lulin Town, Jingshan County, Hubei Province, within the Dahong Mountain range. In 1988, it was approved by the State Council as a national scenic area, along with Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou. The scenic area spans 120 square kilometers.

　　Lulin Mountain is the birthplace of the historically significant Lulin Uprising, the second-largest peasant revolt in China, and also where Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, originated.

　　The area boasts China’s only well-preserved ancient military stronghold cluster, the “Beauty Valley Waterfall Group” known as the “New Jiuzhaigou of Hubei,” vast and mysterious primeval forests rich in historical culture forming the “Chinese Han Culture Village,” the thrilling and romantic Yuanyang Creek Drift, the world-unique Kongshan Cave Stone Chime, Central China’s largest outdoor development base and paintball warfare field. The Lulin Mountain Scenic Area combines mountains, water, forests, springs, and caves, integrating historical culture, landscape beauty, participatory experiences, and outdoor training. It serves as an ideal destination for sightseeing, conferences, vacations, rafting, paintball, team-building, painting, and even blind dating.

　　Scenic Spots of Lulin Mountain Scenic Area

　　Yuanyang Creek

　　As one of the most attractive spots in the national-level Dahong Mountain Scenic Area, Yuanyang Creek is a national AA-rated attraction, renowned as the “Nine-Bend Yuanyang Creek, Ten-Mile Water Gallery.” Nestled in Lulin Town, Jingshan County, the area features high mountains, steep ridges, perilous gorges, serene valleys, crystal-clear waters, lush forests, birdsong, and floral fragrance—making it a prime destination for adventure rafting in central Hubei and a natural oxygen bar for reconnecting with nature. Yuanyang Creek Resort offers a simple yet elegant environment suitable for group meetings, inspection tours, sightseeing, and leisure activities, providing convenient, safe, comfortable, and high-quality one-stop services. It receives 60,000 visitors annually and generates an income of 5 million yuan. Lulin Fort Scenic Area: Located in Lulin Town, an emerging tourism star in the Jianghan Plain’s northern edge and central Hubei, this was the cradle of the Lulin Uprising led by Wang Kuang and Wang Feng during the late Western Han Dynasty in the first century. Lulin Fort was where over 50,000 rebels gathered to train during the uprising. Both the southern and northern fortresses (or forts) still retain their historic charm. The entire fort is surrounded by wild chrysanthemums, cool breezes, and year-round spring water, making it an ideal summer retreat. The Lulin Fort Scenic Area is rich in layered landscapes and picturesque views. Attractions include Camel Peak, Heaven-Devouring Gate, Drumming Stone, Twin Kings Cave, ancient city walls, beacon towers, general platforms, horse racing fields, archery ranges, watchtowers, tent camping, petrified trees, and volcanic craters.

　　Beauty Valley

　　Beauty Valley is one of the core scenic areas within the Lulin section of the Dahong Mountain Scenic Area. Located in the Wanfu Grand Canyon southeast of Lulin Town, it covers an area of about 60,000 square meters with a length of approximately 500 meters. It consists of the unfathomable Beauty Pool, the magical Bathing Pool, the graceful Fragrant Flower Pool, and numerous cliffs, caves, and waterfalls, combining elements of wonder, danger, beauty, and elegance. The valley is filled with peculiar rocks, hanging vines, and misty serenity. Nature’s artistry has carved out 18 stunning sights, including the Beauty Pool, Crouching Dragon Rock, Sky Bridge Waterfall, and Petrified Ancient Trees.

　　Kongshan Cave

　　The cave stretches 1,584 meters in total length, with the highest point reaching 48 meters and the widest span 26 meters. It lies amidst the picturesque lakes and mountains south of Jingshan County. The main cave is 910 meters long and deeply recessed. Inside, stone formations resemble seven apertures, while springs produce eight tones. Stalagmites stand tall and stalactites bloom in vibrant colors. With 400 naturally formed scenes and 8,000 marvelous wonders, it’s praised as the “No.1 Karst Cave in Central China.” Notable formations include the Golden Turtle Courting the Toad, Three Gorges’ One-Line Sky, Cunning Rabbit’s Three Burrows, Rainbow Bridge Picking Bananas, Golden Rooster Standing Alone, Undersea Palace, Waterfall Terraces, and Tiger’s Mouth Battling Elephant Cave Room—all strikingly vivid, bizarrely shaped, and competing in splendor. Most miraculous of all is a set of stalactites in the cave that produce musical tones when struck, recognized by geologists and musicians as the world’s only natural “stone chime,” a marvel unmatched anywhere else.

　　Lulin Fort

　　Known as the No.1 Ancient Military Fort in China, Lulin Fort is the core scenic area of the national-level Dahong Mountain Scenic Area. Approved by the State Council in 1988 alongside Zhangjiajie and Jiuzhaigou as a national scenic zone, it was the birthplace of the Lulin Uprising led by Wang Kuang and Wang Feng and also the origin of Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu. The site contains 2,000-year-old beacon towers, ancient city walls, military forts, battlefields, and Han-era terraced fields, as well as relics from the Anti-Japanese War. With profound historical and cultural heritage and breathtaking natural scenery, it is especially renowned for its “Eighteen Scenic Spots of Lulin.”

　　The 120-square-kilometer scenic area features overlapping mountains and ridges. Mountains reflect sunlight on water, rocks shimmer under light, and greenery fills the view—an embodiment of cosmic truth within nature. Beyond its beautiful landscape, Lulin Mountain is steeped in history. The sweeping Lulin Uprising once swept across the nation. The rebels fought against the rich to aid the poor, opened grain storages to feed the people, and were known as the Lulin Army. They camped and operated in the mountains, confronted enemies in Yundu (today’s Jingshan), decisively defeated government troops, attacked Jingling and Anlu, shook the Jingchu region, and at their peak numbered over 50,000. Their efforts overthrew Wang Mang’s Xin Dynasty and laid the foundation for two centuries of peace in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The term “Lulin” has since become synonymous with heroism.

　　Address: Lulin Town, Jingshan County, Jingmen City

　　Type: Waterfalls, Lakes, Historic Sites, Rafting

　　Opening Hours:

　　8:00–17:00 (for Beauty Valley, Ancient Military Fort, and Kongshan Cave); 10:00–16:00 (for Yuanyang Creek Drift)

　　Ticket Information:

　　Yuanyang Creek Drift: 188 RMB; Beauty Valley: 78 RMB; Lulin Fort: 88 RMB; Kongshan Cave: 50 RMB

　　Source: Official Portal Website of Hubei Provincial People’s Government