Chunyuan Sea

　　In the vicinity of Chunyuan Sea, one can find a dense concentration of landscapes, rich local specialties, and distinct regional characteristics. Chunyuan Bay was formed by a first-level marine terrace and consists of Quaternary deposits along the shoreline of Xiaohai Lagoon. The coastline is flanked by five ridges, between which three crescent-shaped bays are formed, with Chunyuan Sea situated in the middle. To the east lies the Dakuchang Ridge (referred to as Jiulin Ridge in the Qing Dynasty’s Wan Zhou Zhi, possibly named after an ancient village once called Chunyuan), winding and undulating as it extends from the small seaside southward into the open ocean, resembling a long green-scaled dragon. To the west are the Greater and Lesser Wuchang Ridges, rising abruptly from the flat land and standing in parallel along the seashore. Their grayish-white, hard granite formations resemble a white tiger. To the south of the bay lies Gancao Island, plump and round, where seabirds and swiftlets frequently fly to and fro — historically referred to as the “Vermilion Bird.” To the north lies Xiaohai, teeming with fish, shrimp, snakes, and turtles, truly embodying the “Black Tortoise.”

　　Chunyuan Sea is embraced by mountains and enjoys a feng shui layout long praised as “the Green Dragon to the left, the White Tiger to the right, the Vermilion Bird in front, and the Black Tortoise behind.” The area boasts unique scenery: the Dakuchang Ridge blocks typhoons, contributing to its tranquility, further enhanced by the influence of the South China Sea climate, resulting in spring-like weather all year round. Within the Chunyuan Sea region, several clear springs are found on Dakuchang Ridge, with exceptionally pure water. Halfway up the mountain lies the Reading Cave, which, according to legend, was once home to a scholar who loved the serene environment and secluded himself there to study diligently. There is also an ancient tomb believed to be that of the same scholar, who migrated from the mainland and later became immortal in Chunyuan, with only his burial garments interred at the foot of the ridge. Additionally, there is a cave through which locals say elderly people have walked more than two li through to emerge north of the ridge.