Danshuikeng Scenic Spot [Guangzhou]

Danshuikeng Scenic Spot is featured by religious culture and art, which embodies pilgrimage, sightseeing, entertainment, body-building, vacation spending, foods and shopping. It is a large comprehensive tourist zone, also one of the 24 new scenic spots in Guangzhou. It lies in Nangang Town in Huangpu District, with superior geographic location (28 km from the center of Guangzhou).

There are sites in Ming and Qing Dynasties like Yang Si General Temple, Buddha Trace Cave and Eight Scenes of Dangshui. It has always been a tourist site that attracts a great number of tourists every year. The scenic spot covers 1200 mu, with beautiful natural scenes. Over 90% of the land is covered by trees and flowers, with queer caves and stones as well as flowing streams. The elevation of highest peak—Tonggu Mount is 151m, with two side mountains like green dragon and white tiger, with gentle hill slopes. On the top of the peak, tourists can have a view of Xiangxue in the north, Pearl River in the east, Tiger Gate in the south and Five Ram City in the west, which surely will provide pleasant mood for them.

There are altogether six functional zones including Tonggu Mountain Scenic Spot, Vacation Resort Zone, Danshui Lake Scenic Spot, Sports Center, Business Service Area and Entertainment Zone. The zones echo with Huangpu Military Academy and Temple of South China Sea God at a distance. It is a key scenic spot in Guangzhou Tourism combining sightseeing, sports, entertainment, conference and vacation resort.

Villa Zone: It covers 49,619 m2, with a total building area of 19,341 m2, including 41 buildings in 8 styles, 1 office building and 1 facility house. The style combines European style with Chinese garden arts.

Yang Si General Temple: It was built in 1905 with Lingnan architecture features. It is said that Yang Si is born in Changsha, Hunan, who became a god in seven. After he killed the evil Wuyi Dragon, he was awarded as a general who can control flood and drive away the plague. In the late Qing Dynasty when the plague in Guangzhou influenced Caigang, 13 villagers headed by Xu Jingliang walked for over 10 days to plead for Yang Si. After the plague was stopped, the villages built the temple to pray for luck and safety. Luzu, Fairy Yunxshan and Fairy Lady Jinshan were also worshipped in the temple.

Danshui Dragon Fountain: It is the dragon vein of Yang Si General Temple. The underground water pours out from dragon mouth. The fountain is pure, sweet and good for people’s health.

Plutus Temple: It was built in Qing Dynasty, one of traditional temples in China. The gods in charge of fortune, life and luck are worshipped in the temple, which bless people good luck, fortune and long life.

Buddha Trace Cave was built in 1840. It was caved out of the rock by Haiguang Monk with his disciples. Maitreya, Kwan-yin and the eighteen arhats are worshipped in the cave, which is a traditional formal Buddhist rite. There were more than 10 monks in its prime. Maitreya is one of the six great bodhisattvas in Mahayana, the successor to Buddha. The recumbent Buddha in the cave is the largest stone carving Buddha in Guangzhou, which is vividly carved with smiling appearance. It will bring you good luck to touch the recumbent Buddha.

Eighteen Paradises: It is the blessing place of heaven gods. There are 18 characters of 'Fu', 8 bats and 1 character of 'Yuan' carved in the place. It is said that to enter the Eighteen Paradises, you have to collect all 18 characters of 'Fu', 8 bats and 1 character of 'Yuan', which will bring you great luck, safety and fortune.

Dansha Well: Dansha Well is one of the Eight Ancient Scenes in Danshui, together with Danshui Fairy Source, Fanghu Pavilion, Lotus Pond and Depth into Green Shade. The well was first built in Yuan Dynasty, which is the one of the sources for Danshuiken fountain. The water is clear, sweet and good for health.

Danshui Fairy Source is one of the Eight Ancient Scenes in Danshui. In ancient times, the fountain poured down the rock to form a waterfall, just like the one in Huaguo Mountain. As time goes by, the geological appearance was changed and the waterfall disappeared. The stream forms 'a gleam' spectacle. The four characters of 'Danshui Fairy Source' were written by ancient scholar.

Yaoyue Pavilion: It was built in the island in the middle of Danshui Lake, in which tourist can see the moon in the evening, as well as the sun rise in the morning. It echoes with Danshui Bridge to a distance, to form the beautiful scene in Danshui Lake.

Yuanyang Pavilion: It was built on the bank of north Danshui Lake, facing south. Tourists can enjoy the pleasant time in it with clear water, red lotus, green willow, fountain and waterfalls by the side.