Taihu Mountain National Forest Park

　　   Taihu Mountain is situated in Tongzha Town, Hanshan County, spanning an area of 1,800 hectares and classified under the subtropical humid monsoon climate zone. The terrain primarily features sandstone, limestone, and peak forest landforms. There are 20 peaks of varying sizes, among which the most famous include Zhongshan (Bell Mountain), Gushan (Drum Mountain), Muyu Mountain (Woodfish Mountain), and Waishan (Crooked Mountain). The main peak, Taihu Mountain, rises to an elevation of 450 meters.

　　   In 1992, it was designated as a National Forest Park by the Ministry of Forestry. In 1998, it became a county-level civilized unit; in 2000, it was rated as an AA-level scenic spot, and in 2001, it was honored as an advanced unit within the county’s forestry system.

　　   Historical records indicate that the development of Taihu Mountain began during the Song Dynasty, mainly for religious activities. During the Republican era, the Japanese army burned down most of the structures and killed the monks. In 1966, the Cultural Revolution stripped the temple of its scriptures and Buddha statues. In January 1985, the temple was listed as a key provincial temple by the Anhui Provincial Government, receiving dedicated funding for repairs, and Buddhist activities have since flourished. It now has the capacity to receive up to 100,000 visitors annually.

　　   Taihu Mountain is renowned for its “three wonders”: peculiar peaks, bizarre rocks, and temples and nunneries. At the foot of the mountain’s northwest side lies Moon Lake, spanning 8 hectares with shimmering waters; near Jiulong Bay, the Immortal Cave features upper and lower chambers that resemble a labyrinth. The Heavenly Human Cave once sheltered dozens of villagers during wartime, while the Dragon Spring Cave opposite Longquan Nunnery is a water cave. The East China region’s largest deer farm — Taihu Mountain Deer Farm — covers 70 hectares and is home to over 2,000 sika and red deer. It produces more than 300 fawns annually and also cultivates over 100 species of woody medicinal herbs. A variety of medicinal and deer-related products have been developed, and an ecological tourism deer park has been established.

　　   Taihu Mountain boasts convenient transportation, with roads leading to major cities. There are resorts and numerous hotels in the area (the “Sankoutang” old goose soup brand is trademarked), making dining and lodging very accessible.

　　   The largest state-owned deer farm in East China — Hanshan County Taihu Mountain Deer Farm — is situated on the southern bank of the lower Yangtze River, along the shore of Chaohu Lake, at the southern foot of the Taihu Mountain National Forest Park. It lies south of the Huainan Railway and north of the Hechao-Wu Expressway. With a mild climate and convenient transportation, the farm was established in 1971, covering an area of 1,000 mu (about 66.7 hectares), including 500 mu planted with various precious medicinal herb forests and 300 mu of nursery stock. It houses 2,000 sika and red deer, producing 300 fawns per year, and has fixed assets worth 21 million yuan. The farm has developed a series of health-promoting deer products: deer antler slices, deer antler blood wine, ginseng-deer wine, deer placenta paste, deer horn capsules, etc. It has been awarded titles such as “Advanced Collective in Medicinal Herb Production” and “Leading Enterprise in Agricultural Industrialization in the Chaohu Region” by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In recent years, leveraging the beautiful forested valleys and picturesque scenery, the farm has developed ecotourism centered around deer. Attractions such as the Herbal Garden, Heart-Cleansing Stream, Thundering Spring, Deer Viewing Platform, Special Deer Garden, and Love Tree have been established, transforming Taihu Mountain Deer Farm into a comprehensive economic entity integrating cultivation, breeding, processing, and tourism.

　　   Jiulong Peak is located within the Taihu Mountain National Forest Park scenic area. Rising to an elevation of 450 meters, the main peak of Taihu Mountain is surrounded by nine graceful peaks that resemble nine dragons soaring and leaping. Historically known as “Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” this gave rise to the name Jiulong Peak. From the summit, one can gaze afar at the mighty Yangtze River and the vast Chaohu Lake. As Li Bai’s poem goes: “Climbing high, the grandeur of heaven and earth unfolds before me; the great river flows ceaselessly into the distance; yellow clouds stir the wind across ten thousand miles, while nine currents of white waves flow like snowy mountains.” His words are marvelously vivid. The vast forest park, the deer farm alive with the calls of deer, the classic and quaint Puming Chan Temple, and the mysterious Moon Lake and Immortal Cave are all like pearls inlaid around Jiulong Peak.