Is Longshun Baiyun Mountain Rhododendron Lake fun?

Yunnan’s Longshun Baiyun Mountain Rhododendron Lake is very unique. Each scenery here has its own unique meaning and artistic conception. Many friends don’t know this place, but it will definitely not let you come in vain. Below, we will share a travel guide to Longshun Baiyun Mountain Rhododendron Lake.

Rhododendron Lake

“Step by step, we climb high to watch the white clouds emerge from the peaks, soaring straight up to pay homage to Emperor Wen’s Zen light”. The couplet on the mountain gate of Baiyun Temple in Baiyun Mountain Town (changed to Yao), Longshun County, reveals the big secret of Baiyun Mountain. Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty once went into exile here to cultivate and avoid disaster. Zhu Yunwen, the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty, reigned for four years (1398-1402), but his efforts to reduce the power of the feudal lords failed, and he was overthrown by his fourth uncle, Ming Chengzu Zhu Di, by force. He searched the whole country and went into exile in the wilds. 

April 8th

Baiyun Temple Mountain Gate

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More than two hundred years later, a traveler named Xu Xiake set out from Guiyang, passing through Taici Bridge (locally known as Taizi Bridge, the Crown Prince’s Bridge), Huagelao (Huaxi Park), Tongmuling (the watershed of the Yangtze River and Pearl River), Qingyan Ancient Town, Maling Township, and after fifteen days, he arrived here. He stayed for three days, carefully examined the area, and wrote the Baiyun sections of his Guizhou Travel Notes. Among them, Luoyongan Temple, Tianziodong Cave, Kneeling Well, Nanjingping, and Qianlong Pavilion were described in detail. These historical relics are all located on the hill next to the side gate of Baiyun Temple. There is a stone path leading up to Qianlong Pavilion, where the statue of Emperor Jianwen is enshrined.

Xu Xiake’s Guizhou Travel Route Map

Tianziodong Cave

Statue of Emperor Jianwen

According to historical records, Emperor Jianwen’s footprints were found throughout Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hubei, Zhejiang, and Guangdong. Zhu Di once sent Hu Tui, the director of the Ministry of Revenue, along with Zhu Xiang, an eunuch who knew Zhu Yunwen’s appearance, under the pretext of visiting Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist priest from Wudang Mountain (known to people as “Zhang Latata”, a famous and enigmatic figure, who was unkempt and unpredictable, and was said to be able to travel a thousand miles in a day), to search for Zhu Yunwen’s whereabouts throughout the states, counties, townships, and villages, both by land and sea. This search lasted for more than a decade, and later Zheng He’s voyages to the West are said to have been partly motivated by this. In the end, Zhu Yunwen’s whereabouts became a historical mystery, providing countless stories and imaginations for later generations. 

Rhododendron Lake Wangyunlou Pavilion

Boat Dock

Golden Pine Flowers

Rhododendron

Apple Flower Buds

Pink and White Apple Flowers

Today, the white clouds float around the temple, and the people of the past have already flown away on yellow cranes. In the surrounding area of Baiyun Mountain, there is the Tiantai Village Chinese Ginkgo King, and the Bipo Lake, which is surrounded by flowers. The Rhododendron Lake, also known as the Mengkeng Reservoir, got its name because it is surrounded by rhododendrons. There are also ancient remains, the Dan family cemetery. Dan Minglun was once a teacher to the Daoguang Emperor, and the family became prosperous as a result. 

Standing on Wangyunlou Pavilion and looking around, pink and bright red azaleas, golden pine flowers, and pink and white apple blossoms are in full bloom in the warm sunshine of April, marking another year’s time. 

Self-driving itinerary: Guiyang – Qingyan – Maling 114 County Road – 015 County Road, turn right 2.3 km after 9 km to see the signpost to Baiyun Mountain – Guanshun Town – Longshun County City, turn towards Xinzai. You can also take the Gui’an Expressway – Machang – 001 County Road to Guanshun.