Diaoshuiyan Scenic Area

　　The Diaoshuiyan Scenic Area is situated at the junction of Shuowo Township and Ma'ling Town, about 17 kilometers from Nayong County. It combines the Diaoshuiyan Waterfall, the Clouds’ Small Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), and a ten-mile azalea forest. The area features highly changeable weather: the foothills are cool and pleasant in summer, while the mountaintop is hot and steamy; in winter, the summit is swept by biting winds, but the foothills remain spring-like—earning the saying “one mountain, four seasons; each season, a different sky.” By exploring different parts of the scenic area, you can experience diverse climates, witness varying vegetation, and observe the rare animals that inhabit each zone.

　　To reach the area, take the diversion road from the Nayong–Shuicheng Highway at the 13-kilometer mark toward Shuowo Township. After traveling just 4 kilometers, you’ll arrive at the Diaoshuiyan Scenic Area. From the Shuowo Township highway, you can already see the Diaoshuiyan Waterfall cascading down in tiered fashion between two mountains like a silver chain slicing through thick mist—resembling a stage that flickers between light and shadow, giving rise to its nickname: the Three-Tiered Waterfall. The first tier is 3 meters wide and 86 meters high, with thousands of cascading streams plunging into the valley, sending up sprays of mist that blend with the surrounding fog, creating a dreamlike scene that refreshes the spirit. A short walk of less than five minutes along a path on the left side of the first waterfall leads you to the second tier. Beneath this lofty waterfall lies a spacious flatland, where the rushing waters have carved out a clear, bright pool. The waterfall flows gently out of this pool, washing over wildflowers and grasses among the “pebbles,” evoking the beauty of melting snow from the Tianshan Mountains. Legend has it that in ancient times, hundreds of families in Shuowo Township cultivated vast fertile fields and lived a life of plenty and joy. One day, an evil mountain god passed by and, seeing people celebrating their bountiful harvest with songs and dances, grew jealous because he could not join in the revelry. In a fit of spite, he drove away the rain god, causing years of drought and crop failure. Despite sacrifices to the heavens and the mountain god, nothing worked—the earth cracked under the scorching sun. Just as the people were losing all hope...

　　...a divine being named Dragon Hidden Scholar descended from the sky. He told the people, “To make it rain, adult women must hang upside down from the cliff, connecting with their hair and feet to form a human ladder. Adult men should beat drums and sing rain-prayer songs to drive away the wicked mountain god. Then, springs will gush from the cliff like a human ladder, irrigating the fields.” The people followed his instructions, and before long, two holes appeared in the rock, shaped like ox nostrils. From these, two streams of water poured forth continuously, forming a waterfall about 30 meters high—crystal-clear and glistening—as it irrigated the fields. To commemorate the hardship of their quest for water, later generations named the cave at the waterfall’s mouth “Ox Nostril Cave,” and the Shuowo farmland has borne that name ever since. After viewing the second-tier waterfall, follow the small stone paths on either side of the Ox Nostril Cave. Accompanied by colorful butterflies and various insects, and refreshed by the cool breeze and fragrant blossoms, you’ll reach the third-tier waterfall in less than ten minutes. Located at the foot of the reservoir dam, it stands 186 meters high and 5 meters wide. The waterfall surges from a crevice between two mountains, kicking up bursts of mist and presenting a truly spectacular sight. The chill here can feel almost wintry. If you cup your hands to catch the water, your fingers will go numb with cold. Among the uneven pines, firs, and shrubs, you may hear migratory birds echoing through the valleys, and catch glimpses of rabbits, wildcats, and pheasants foraging in the woods.

　　After visiting the third-tier waterfall, climb the man-made iron-railing ladder inclined at nearly 70 degrees to reach the mountainside. Pausing to rest, you may be struck with the poetic feeling of “stepping in Xie’s shoes, ascending the cloud ladder; seeing the sea’s sun from halfway up the cliff, and hearing the celestial rooster cry from the sky.” Looking ahead, you’ll see the glowing red sun and overlapping green mountains; looking back, you’ll see waves churning below, a breathtaking and magnificent view. Upon reaching the top of the ladder, you’ll enter the ten-mile azalea forest and the Clouds’ Small Tianchi, both perched over 2,000 meters above sea level atop the Mazongling Mountain. The Small Tianchi, commonly known as the Diaoshuiyan Reservoir, was built in 1978. With a dam 27 meters wide and 80 meters deep, it holds 2.72 million cubic meters of water—like a mirror gifted by heaven, reflecting the surrounding peaks and drifting clouds. The approximately 2-kilometer-long Small Tianchi is embraced by a ten-mile belt of azalea blossoms. In April and May, the water reflects the flowers while the blossoms adorn the lake’s serenity—a scene akin to a paradise on earth. Between the Small Tianchi and Dalizi, a flatland of several thousand square meters, sculpted over dozens of generations, has become a flower-jumping ground that can accommodate tens of thousands of people. On holidays, visitors gather here spontaneously to enjoy life.

　　Another feature of the Small Tianchi and the ten-mile azalea forest is the high-altitude heat—by noon, the rising warmth from the mountaintop can make it quite hot. At this time, aside from the ceaseless chirping of cicadas and the busy movements of ants searching for their nests in the grass, most other animals remain hidden. Even rolling on the ground will leave you drenched in sweat, with none of the coolness felt near the Diaoshuiyan Waterfall at the foothills. But don’t worry—this hot period only lasts about five hours a day. As evening approaches, the mountaintop cools down quickly, allowing you to pitch a tent on the vast lawn, cook a picnic if hungry, drink from the Small Tianchi if thirsty, or simply lie down to rest when tired. What a delightful experience that would be!

　　Diaoshuiyan Scenic Area