Qinglong Bay Ecotourism Resort

　　A national forest park and national water conservancy scenic area, located in the western part of Ningguo City, Anhui Province, on the eastern edge of the southern Anhui mountainous region. It is 17 kilometers from downtown Ningguo and is a mountainous lake-type scenic area. In 1998, a reinforced concrete-faced rockfill dam, 68 meters high and 253 meters long, was built on the upper reaches of the Xijin River, forming a reservoir that encompasses 38 islands, has a storage capacity of 941 million cubic meters, and covers a water surface area of 32.8 square kilometers. The reservoir was impounded in 2001, and in July of the same year, the tourism area’s planning and design passed expert review. It was integrated with the provincial-level Banqiao Nature Reserve to form the Qinglong Bay Ecotourism Area.

　　The Qinglong Bay Ecotourism Area spans hundreds of square kilometers, featuring a mild climate, distinct seasons, and abundant rainfall. Winters are not harsh and summers are not scorching, with gentle winds and fine rains creating pleasant scenery. The area boasts clear lakes, beautiful mountains, steep cliffs, towering peaks, long valleys, ancient trees, and rare fish. Experts have hailed it as having “first-class air and first-class water,” as well as being a “kingdom of animals, a hall of biodiversity, and a precious pure land in the gene pool.”

　　The tourism area is rich in plant resources — vast and lush with green pines and bamboos that remain evergreen all year round, and a vegetation coverage rate of 77.5%. With its picturesque mountains and clear waters, fresh air, and high negative oxygen ion content, it serves as a natural oxygen bar. The Banqiao Nature Reserve within the area acts as a northern subtropical green bridgehead, known as the “green hall,” with dense forests and a forest coverage rate of 95%. Vast expanses of sweet cyclobalanopsis forests are spectacular, dotted with golden larch, pubescent rosewood, and Huangshan pine, creating stunning mountain beauty. Surrounded by cliffs, babbling streams, and ancient houses, it feels like a hidden paradise, offering a true escape from the world — an ideal spot for forest wellness. A total of 483 plant species have been identified, belonging to 116 families, including 10 species under national protection. There are 215 animal species, four of which are Class I protected animals: clouded leopard, leopard, black muntjac, and white-eared long-tailed pheasant. There are also 20 Class II protected animals: macaques, stump-tailed macaques...

　　“Eight parts mountain, one part water, and half a part fields and estates” — Qinglong Bay is fertile and bountiful, known as the “Hometown of Mao Bamboo in China” and the “Hometown of Hickory Nuts in China.” It produces a wealth of chestnuts, ginkgo, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tea, and more. Here, visitors can fully enjoy the pristine natural landscape, experience the simple rural life, and take part in a variety of tourism activities such as exploration, fishing, yachting, and agritainment to meet diverse interests.

　　Huiyun Temple: Originally built during the Tang Dynasty’s Taihe era, located on Xiuyun Island, it is the place where the famous Song Dynasty monk Dahui Zonggao became a monk. With its evening drums and morning bells, the temple radiates Buddhist light and Zen atmosphere, serving as a serene site for Buddhist worship and study. It exudes a rich Buddhist culture that is truly captivating.

　　Gangkouwan Reservoir Dam: The first reinforced concrete-faced rockfill dam in Anhui Province, the dam is 253 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 68 meters high. Majestic in presence, with green mountains and clear waters, the scenery is breathtaking. Visitors standing atop the dam can take in the panoramic views of the lake and surrounding hills.

　　Gaofeng Mountain: With an elevation of 1,153 meters, it is the highest peak of the provincial-level Banqiao Nature Reserve. At the summit, there is a rock formation shaped like the mouth of a lion, from which a spring flows year-round without drying up. An ancient temple stands proudly atop Gaofeng Mountain. Known as the “Baiyun Temple” in the Ming Dynasty and the “Iron Tile Temple” in the Qing Dynasty, it was once widely renowned, thriving with incense and frequented by pilgrims and tourists.