Dawangshan Forest Park

　　Dawangshan Forest Park is situated to the northeast of Ducheng Town, the county seat of Yunan County — known as the "hometown of seedless wampee in China" — in the northwest of Guangdong Province, covering an area of 806 hectares. The park features lush forests, undulating hills, shaded paths, and fresh air, offering visitors the joy of returning to nature while providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and the scenic beauty along both banks of the Xijiang River.

　　According to local legend, in ancient times, a farmer named Chen Gan organized a small peasant rebel army to resist the imperial court. They occupied a strategically defensible mountain called "Liaogelong" by the Xijiang River and used it as their stronghold, specializing in intercepting official boats traveling along the river. Unable to suppress them, the local officials reported the situation up the chain of command all the way to the capital, requesting imperial troops to launch a suppression campaign.

　　As the story spread, it became increasingly exaggerated. A place that originally had no natural defenses was described as a formidable stronghold where “a single brave man could hold off ten thousand.” Alarmed by this, the emperor was deeply shaken and summoned the Minister of War to discuss sending troops for a suppression mission. Based on the local officials’ reports, the Minister of War addressed the emperor: “The suppression of Liaogelong is no small matter. Liaogelong is merely a forward outpost occupied by these rebels, while their main base is located at Dawangshan. The mountain is commanded by a ‘Mountain King’ who leads the rebel forces. In front of Dawangshan lie Daowei, Twelve Ridges, and Shimen — all areas surrounded by dense forests and crisscrossed ravines. To attack them head-on would be extremely difficult. If we engage them rashly, we will fall into their trap and suffer heavy losses.”

　　Hearing this, the emperor also felt that the place was too well-defended to attack easily and said, “Let’s surround them from the outside for a year. Let them run out of food and starve to death on their own!”

　　The Minister of War replied, “We can’t starve them out. There’s a ‘White Rice Cave’ inside Dawangshan that produces rice.”

　　At this, the emperor was at a loss and had no choice but to issue an amnesty, granting Chen Gan the title of “King” and putting him in charge of local military and political affairs. Later, because Chen Gan was diligent, honest, and dedicated to serving the people, he earned deep respect and admiration from the locals. After his death, the local people voluntarily contributed funds and labor to build a King’s Temple on the mountain in his honor. The mountain behind the King’s Temple came to be known as Dawangshan (King’s Mountain).