The poet of the Tang Dynasty, Cui Hao, once wrote: ‘Rowing down to Dongyang, turning the boat into Shanxiang. The green mountains are endless, and the green water is so long.’ (From ‘Boat into Shanxiang’) The place where the poet sailed into Shanxiang is now the Nanshan Lake Scenic Area, located upstream of Shanxi Creek in Shengzhou. Nanshan Lake was formed by the damming of the tributary of Shanxi Creek, Nanshan River (Xixi). The towering dam resembles a giant lock, abruptly holding back the dragon-like Nanshan River, creating a landscape of high gorges and a tranquil lake. Standing on the dam and looking into the distance, one can see a lake shrouded in mist, surrounded by green mountains. The lake has many islands, and the water is clear and mirror-like all year round. If interested, one might step into a small boat and drift across the lake. However, the best vantage point to overview the entire Nanshan Lake Scenic Area is from a four-sided, two-story building facing north and south in Gui Men Village, Gui Men Township – the Gui Men Tower. Climbing the tower and looking into the distance, one can see the undulating mountains and the calm lake water below. The scenic area is divided into six major areas: Nanshan Lake, Volcanic Crater, Glacier Valley, Tianxing Pond, Gold and Silver Bay, and Lumen Academy. Attractions such as volcanic bombs, groups of glacial pots, glacial drifts, ancient pine forests, and the Flying Waterfall at Jin Si Tan are all distinctive. The scenic area is open all year round from 7:30 to 18:00.
Nanshan Lake Scenic Area
The poet of the Tang Dynasty, Cui Hao, once wrote: ‘Rowing down to Dongyang, turning the boat into Shanxiang. The […]
