Mount Lao, the foremost scenic spot of Chaohu Lake, is an island situated at the heart of China’s fifth-largest freshwater lake. Spanning approximately 100 hectares, it features three mountains and nine peaks, with lush forests and evergreen trees that remain green all year round, earning it the title of the only ‘oasis on the lake’ within the 800-mile Chaohu Lake.
Cultural landscapes abound on Mount Lao Island. On its southern slope lies a natural sheltered harbor, once known as ‘Nantang’, which was constructed by anti-Yuan generals Yu Tonghai and Liao Yong’an and their naval forces stationed on Mount Lao during the late Yuan Dynasty. The Shengfei Temple, facing the lake on the hillside, is dedicated to the lake goddess and dates back to the Jin Dynasty. Today, it continues to be a bustling place of worship for many.
At the foot of the island, the Huazang Jing Temple stands as a testament to the area’s religious history, built after the Three Kingdoms and at the beginning of the Jin Dynasty, with a history of about 1,800 years. It was once a thriving center of worship for the surrounding Chaohu area.
Dominating the summit of Mount Lao is the Wenfeng Tower, constructed in the fourth year of the Chongzhen era. From its vantage point, one can gaze upon the spectacular sight of water and sky merging into one, with flocks of birds adding to the refreshing vista. In close proximity to the tower is the Shengmu Temple, where Jiao Mu is worshipped during the spring and autumn festivals. The temple’s red beams and green tiles are beautifully framed against the backdrop of pine and cypress trees.The Wenfeng Tower was built in the fourth year of the Chongzhen era (1631 AD). Initially completed with four levels, construction was halted due to war. In the Guangxu era (1878 AD), Li Hongzhang initiated a donation and commissioned Wu Yufen, a native of Luzhou and a supplementary road in Jiangsu, to complete the remaining three levels. After completion, Li Hongzhang inscribed the four characters ‘Wenguang She Dou’ and wrote the ‘Mount Lao Tower Inscription’ on stone. The tower is seven stories high, 51 meters tall, and has 133 steps. It is constructed of bluestone and blue bricks. With eaves on each level, eight corners facing eight directions, and each corner adorned with a copper bell, it is majestic in appearance and exquisite in structure. The tower consists of three parts: the outer wall, the corridor, and the tower heart. Entering the tower, one finds a maze of doors and stairs, turning left and right, full of fun. Each level of the tower wall is adorned with inscriptions, poems, or brick-carved Buddha statues. Inside, there are 25 plaques inscribed by Li Hanzhang, the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Liu Mingchuan, the first governor of Taiwan. Phrases like ‘Raise Your Head Close to the Sun’ and ‘A Pillar in the Middle of the Stream’ can be seen. There are also 802 brick-carved Buddha statues. Standing on the tower, one feels the wind howling and the copper bells ringing, as if standing above the clouds. Looking out the window, one can see the vast smoke and waves, with fishing boats dotting the horizon. Looking down, the Gu and Xie reefs seem to be in the mist.The tower spire is inlaid with a full portrait of Li Hongzhang. Before Li Hongzhang rose to prominence, he benefited from the guidance of his mentor Zeng Guofan, who gathered the Huai Army to train on the lake and left behind a majestic seven-character quatrain: ‘Chaohu is like the waves in an inkstone, holding the solitary mountain as an ink stick. Mount Lao Tower is like a goat-hair brush, enough to write eight lines in the blue sky.’
Full opening hours: 1/1-12/31 08:00-17:00.
Preferential policies: Children under 1.2 meters (not including) are free; children 1.2 meters (including) to 1.4 meters (including) are exempt from a 15 yuan ticket. Students with a student ID from full-time undergraduate and below are exempt from a 15 yuan ticket. Elderly people aged 60 (including) and above with an elderly card or ID card are exempt from a 15 yuan ticket. Military personnel, disabled military personnel, retired military personnel, and martyrs’ dependents and dependents of military personnel who died on duty or from illness with corresponding valid documents are exempt from a 15 yuan ticket. People with disabilities with a disability certificate are exempt from a 15 yuan ticket. Firefighters, military civilian personnel, national comprehensive fire and rescue team members, and government full-time firefighters with corresponding valid documents are exempt from a 15 yuan ticket.
Service facilities: Parking lot: [Chaohu Scenic Area (Mount Lao Island)] Reference price: Free; Address: Chaohu Zhongmiao Town, Chaohu City, Anhui Province, Chaohu Zhongmiao Mount Lao Island Scenic Area Visitor Service Center; Spaces: 200.Garden Transportation:
– Reference Price: 60 yuan per person
– Address: Zhongmiao Dock
Additional Information:
– Reference Price: 45 yuan per person
– Address: Zhongmiao Dock
