Huaihua Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area

　　   Wanfo Mountain is situated in Tongdao County at the southern end of Huaihua City. It primarily encompasses a 94.4-square-kilometer Danxia landform scenic area, along with well-preserved secondary virgin forests and 1 million mu of pine forest landscapes. The area also boasts cultural attractions such as the Matian Drum Tower, Baiyi Temple, and HuiLong Bridge. In 1997, the People's Government of Hunan Province designated Wanfo Mountain’s Danxia peak forest as a provincial-level scenic spot. In 2002, the "Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area Master Plan" designed by Changsha Planning and Design Institute of Hunan Province was approved and implemented by the provincial government.

　　   The Huaihua Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area is located in Taipingyan Village, Linkou Town, Tongdao County, about 20 kilometers from Shuangjiang County Town. It is one of the rare, large-scale Danxia landform clusters discovered in China and even the world. Here, “myriad Danxia peaks are embraced by emerald hues,” integrating peaks, forests, caves, and waters, and combining grandeur, peril, steepness, and beauty all in one. Every step reveals a new view, earning it the reputation of the “Green Great Wall.”

　　   The Danxia landform of Wanfo Mountain is “secluded and picturesque.” There are mountains beyond mountains, forests beyond forests. Green pines defy the snow, while bamboo spears pierce the blue sky. Through the green leaves and among the misty clouds, the azure sky appears faintly, ethereal and vague—just like the verse: “Clumps of green bamboo and layers of pines, dots of lines, rows hidden in the void. Sitting and loving to listen as cicadas sing, the forest grows quieter; facing the wind, raising wine in a realm between presence and absence.”

　　   Years of accumulated fallen leaves form a thick carpet across the jungle, an immense and boundless felt. Stepping on it feels soft and cozy. Wandering through it is extremely delightful. Climbing solitary cliffs and Danxia peaks, you can see wild grass flourishing, flowers blooming, hear the rustling of pine waves, and the chirping of birds—a feeling of spiritual bliss that is truly rare. It's practically a natural botanical garden, making visitors linger without wanting to leave.

　　   Quiet lakes, green waters, moving boats, and beautiful mountains. The more than 80-square-kilometer ShaiKou Lake area is a vast water park with a high-mountain, flat-lake expanse of misty waters. The lake and mountain scenery features blue waters and clear skies. You can splash in the water, paddle boats, watch a lone sail drift far into the mountains until only mandarin ducks are seen swimming in the lake. Sing a few folk songs, drink a few shots of rice wine. Taste a few slices of cured fish, eat some sour meat. You can fish by the lake, pitch a tent under the trees, hang a hammock from the branches, or set up an umbrella beside you—become a fishing sage.

　　   In mid-October 2009, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced the second batch of China’s National Natural Heritage sites, and the Tongdao Wanfo Mountain · Dong Village Scenic Area was included. This is another scenic area in our province to receive this honor following the 2006 inclusion of Xinning’s Langshan. It consists of three parts: the Wanfo Mountain Danxia landform area, the Hundred-Mile Dong Cultural Corridor, and the site of the Red Army’s Channel Troop Rendezvous.

　　   Food, Accommodation, and Transportation in the Scenic Area

　　   Food: Local specialties and snacks include Qianyang Big Red Sweet Oranges, Yuanling Crisp Candy, Xuefeng Black-Bone Chickens, and sweet potato preserves.

　　   Accommodation: There are numerous hotels and guesthouses available for stay within Huaihua City.

　　   Transportation:

　　   1. Recommended Public Transport Routes: Shuttle buses are available from the county town to the scenic area (from Tongdao to Linkou, and from Tongdao to Wanfo Mountain).

　　   2. Recommended Self-Driving Routes:

　　   (1) Route 1: The HuaiTong Expressway has been opened. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive from Huaihua South to Tongdao Bus Station via the HuaiTong Expressway.

　　   (1) Route 2: From Huaihua, follow G209 southward through Hongjiang City, Huitong County, and Jingzhou to Tongdao County.