Camellia Creek

　　Camellia Creek is a tranquil and picturesque stream. The valley is deep, the cliffs are steep, the shrubs are lush, the bamboo forests sway green, and tea plantations stretch along both banks. When the camellias are in full bloom, patches of pure white blossoms dot the green mountains and trees, complementing the silver waterfalls, creating a harmonious and enchanting scene.

　　The Camellia Creek scenic area features ten famous waterfalls, forming a series of beautiful landscapes. The most spectacular is the Hanging Cloud Waterfall. Upon entering Camellia Creek, visitors are greeted by a towering cliff rising high into the sky, with the blue sky seemingly low above the rock face and white clouds drifting by. A waterfall cascades from the cliff top, shrouded in mist and clouds, plunging into a deep pool with a thunderous roar, sending up a misty spray that envelops the surroundings. Standing here, visitors truly feel as if they are watching the waterfall in the rain, evoking a sense of serenity and wild charm. The Hanging Cloud Waterfall stands over 120 meters tall—60 meters higher than the Huangguoshu Waterfall—and resembles a white silk ribbon hanging in midair. During the rainy season, when the floodwaters surge down, the waterfall becomes even more majestic. Someone once composed a poem inspired by this waterfall, reflecting on the ways of the world: “The Hanging Cloud Waterfall on Nianhe Mountain, the waterfall has no intention, the clouds drift leisurely; why rush down the mountain, only to stir up more waves in the human world.” When standing before this magnificent waterfall, countless vivid imaginations spring to mind.

　　The most peculiar is the Water Curtain Cave Waterfall, an 80-meter-high cascade that arcs down from a sheer cliff, like a white rainbow streaking across the sky or a thousand-mile snow wave spilling down, both strange and magnificent. Looking through the curtain of falling water at the cliff face, several jagged lava caves of varying heights on the precipice resemble stone houses or grand halls. By climbing along the cliff to enter, some caves are as spacious as halls, others as narrow as doorways, and some as deep and quiet as alleys. Inside, looking up, you see the white waterfall curtain, the mountain cliffs forming a valley, and rainbows arching like bridges; looking sideways, you see water droplets splashing like jade, green grass forming a carpet, and stone vines weaving a felt-like texture; peering through the water curtain into the distance, you see green mountains rising proudly, graceful ridges stretching out, and rain mist rising; looking down, you see scattered villages, fields like brocades, streams like ribbons, and people and vehicles moving swiftly. This scene feels like stepping into a fairyland. Many years ago, CCTV photographers came twice to the Boyue Cave in Lengshuijiang to film the exterior scenes of “The Monkey King Thrice Defeats the Skeleton Demon” and “Water Curtain Cave.” At that time, people had not yet discovered the Water Curtain Cave of Camellia Creek—if they had, it would have been the perfect location to film those exterior scenes.

　　Also among the most beautiful is the Emerald Bamboo Rock Waterfall. Here, towering cliffs rise into the sky, strange rocks stand abruptly, green mountains stretch on both sides, lush pines thrive, and slender bamboos sway gracefully along the cliffs. A high waterfall hangs from the cliff, its waters rushing down in strands of green, resembling silver bead curtains or transparent silk fabrics, cut into fluttering gauzy pieces by jutting rocks. The rushing water stirs up waves and splashes, creating a loud gurgling sound. In the sunlight, the waterfall curtain glistens like jade, the water sparkles, and the light dances like pearls. When the mountain breeze blows, it seems as if strings of pearls scatter and fragments of silver fly, presenting a colorful and enchantingly beautiful sight.

　　The waterfalls of the Dacheng Mountain scenic area are beautiful, like a grand garden of smaller waterfalls. The grandeur of the Hanging Cloud Waterfall in Camellia Creek, the peculiarity of the Water Curtain Cave Waterfall, the elegance of the Emerald Bamboo Rock Waterfall… After seeing them, one finds them unforgettable and full of praise.