Chayuangou

　　Chayuangou is situated in Puguang Township, Jiange County, south of Guangyuan, approximately 40 kilometers from the Jiange county town. Nestled in the Jianmen Mountain Range, it is also a scenic gem along the Jianmen Shu Road tourist trail. Some even refer to it as the “Little Jiuzhaigou.” Here, you’ll find emerald-green lakes, numerous striking peaks, and vast landscapes — mountains above water and water reflecting mountains, truly bearing some resemblance to Jiuzhaigou. But it has its own unique charm.

　　The scenery of Chayuangou is breathtaking. The green lakes resemble brilliant emeralds embedded between towering peaks. On either side, the steep cliffs of Jianmen’s “Jiren Cliff” and “Xiongren Cliff” stand opposite each other, forming sheer rock faces thousands of feet high. Xiongren Cliff features undulating peaks covered with lush pines and cypresses; meanwhile, at the towering cliffs of Jiren Cliff, stones and crevices form a natural stone sculpture of a "Jiren" (thorn man). He stands tall, chest out, gazing into the distance — his image and expression transport visitors back to ancient, untamed times. Gazing toward Beauty Peak stirs even deeper emotions. She resembles a graceful, vibrant young maiden with long, flowing hair, as if she were a celestial fairy who descended from the heavens on a crane to the Jianmen mountain area to help local farmers grow tea, gather herbs, weave cloth, and farm — all of which have contributed to the stunning beauty of Chayuangou. Elders in the area say that Beauty Peak is none other than Chayuan Peak. For thousands of years, the fairy has risen with the dawn and returned with the sunset, tending to tea plants and harvesting tea leaves, laboring day and night. Her sweat has nourished the tea trees, giving the tea of Jianmen Pass its particularly fragrant taste. Over time, the fairy transformed into this beautiful peak. Each morning, when the first light lifts her veil of mist, she appears especially enchanting.

　　Chayuangou has been famous for producing premium tea since ancient times. Legend has it that when Emperor Ming of Tang fled to Shu, he passed through Jianmen and sampled the mountain tea of Chayuangou. Its delicious, fragrant taste earned his praise, and he bestowed upon it the title of “Gongqin” (Tribute Tea). From then on, the area gained renown, attracting frequent visits from tea merchants, bustling with activity, and flourishing in population. Streets, teahouses, and trading firms were established around the bitter bamboo groves of Chayuangou, and it quickly grew to the size of a small county town. By the late Song Dynasty, however, Mongol troops invaded Sichuan, and this small mountain town was destroyed in the chaos. Though the town was ruined, the tea cultivation techniques passed down by the fairy endured, and to this day, Jianmen tea remains famous far and wide for its fragrant and delicious taste.

　　The small islands in the lakes make Chayuangou truly one of a kind. Located in the center of the lake, these islands are covered with dense flowers and vines, and serve as habitats for egrets and various kinds of birds. In spring and summer, they are painted with vibrant colors — green grasses and shrubs, deep red roses, pink azaleas — adorning the little island with exceptional beauty. Visitors who row to the island often find themselves not wanting to leave.

　　Chayuangou is covered in dense forests, with camellia flowers and lush pines and cypresses lining its rugged trails. Strolling through it is refreshing and blissful, like stepping into a fairyland. The area also produces many precious medicinal herbs, such as angelica, gastrodia, scutellaria, and eucommia, and is home to rare animals like hedgehogs, river deer, roe deer, and monkeys, which can often be spotted in the wilds of Chayuangou.