Jinhua Huangdaxian Scenic Area

　　Jinhua Huangdaxian Scenic Area is situated in the central part of the Shuanglong Scenic Area in Jinhua. This area is a national key scenic spot, a national forest park, a national nature reserve, one of the first batch of AAAA-level scenic spots in China, and among the top ten most beautiful scenic areas in Zhejiang Province. Covering an area of 10.2 square kilometers, the scenic area is known for its spectacular caves, peculiar rocks, lush mountains and clear waters, as well as the culture of Huangdaxian (the Immortal Huang). It also boasts beautiful natural scenery. Major attractions include Huangdaxian Ancestral Palace, Chaozhen Cave, Xianpu Cave, Lutian Lake, Lutian Academy, Xu Gong Temple, and Douji Rock. Among them, Xianpu Cave is famous for its 73-meter-high cave waterfall, which holds a record in the Guinness World Records, and for Chisong Ancestral Court. The Huangdaxian Scenic Area in Jinhua Mountain is the site of the 36th Grotto-Heaven of Taoism. The area features lush forests, fresh air, mirror-like lakes, babbling streams, and a cool and pleasant climate. It has extremely rich flora and fauna resources, with over 9,000 species of wild plants and animals. The area enjoys convenient transportation and complete facilities, making it a renowned destination for sightseeing, summer retreats, and spiritual pilgrimages. Climatically, Jinhua Mountain has a mid-subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons—long summers and winters, short springs and autumns, moderate annual temperatures with ample warmth, abundant rainfall, and clearly defined wet and dry seasons. Autumns are cool and humid, while winters are sunny, cold, and dry. The average temperature in July and August is around 28°C, with indoor highs below 30°C and early morning and evening temperatures around 25°C. The air is often heavily humid, frequently supersaturated, and the large diurnal temperature variation leads to frequent condensation and fog formation, creating a truly cool and refreshing environment. The lowest elevation of Huangdaxian Scenic Area is over 500 meters. From the heights, visitors can take in sweeping views of distant landscapes and nearby scenes, including pastoral countryside and mountain vistas. Watching the sunrise or admiring the magnificent sea of clouds can rival the experience of visiting Mount Lu. When clouds and mist roll in, it creates a feeling of floating above the world, echoing the verse by Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Ji: “Step by step I climb, drawing nearer to the heavens; time and again I turn my head to see the white clouds below.” The forests here feature verdant pines and cypresses, with rich and dense vegetation covering up to 95% of the area, forming an important component of the natural landscape. Coniferous and broadleaf forests are distributed in ribbon-like patterns, creating a naturalistic and tranquil mountain environment. Yuan Dynasty poet Wu Shidao once wrote of this place: “Camellia blossoms fade as cherry petals fall, while the cuckoos cry from north to south of the hills.” The waters meander through mountain valleys, with springs producing musical sounds. Lutian Lake and West Lake within the scenic area have broad waters and mirror-like surfaces, making them rare high-altitude lakes in the province. By Lutian Lake, visitors can “rest their heads on stones listening to the stream flow and gaze at the moon under the pines,” enjoying a leisurely and carefree experience. The combination of green waters, blue hills, blue skies, and white clouds creates picturesque scenery reminiscent of a paradise on earth. The rocks are uniquely shaped and strikingly unusual. Peculiar rocks include the “Chessboard Stone,” “Ascension Stone,” “Encounter with Immortal Stone,” “Martial Challenge Stone,” “Reclining Sheep Stone,” “Sword-Testing Stone,” and “Monk’s Striking Stone.” Each has a distinct form and is associated with rich myths and legends, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature and experience a return to simplicity. Additionally, numerous legends about Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and his generals Hu Dahai and Chang Yuchun are passed down in the area. The still-existing Martial Challenge Stone and Treasure Cave add further mystery to the scenic area.

　　Information source: Jinhua Government Website