Lotus Mountain Range

The Lotus Mountain Range (simplified Chinese: 莲花山脉; traditional Chinese: 蓮花山脈; pinyin: Liánhuā Shānmài; Teochew: noi5 huê1 suan1 mêh8), or Lianhua Mountains, formerly known as "Jieyang Mountain" (揭陽山; Teochew: gig4 iang5 suan1) or "Jieyang Ridge" (揭陽嶺; Teochew: gig4 iang5 niã2), is the second largest mountain range in Guangdong Province of China, following the Nanling Mountains. It originates in northeast Guangdong and runs southwest for approximately 400 kilometers to Daya Bay of the South China Sea, connecting to Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macao and Guangzhou. The tallest peak of the range is 1,559 meters high. And there are several branch ranges, which forms the watershed between the Han River, Rong River, Dongjiang River, Meijiang River and other coastal rivers flowing directly into the sea.[1][2]

Main peak

With an elevation of 1,559.5 meters,[1] Tonggu Peak (銅鼓峰) in Fengshun County is the highest and principal summit of the Lotus Mountain Range. The mountain range is called “Lotus Mountain” because Lotus Peak, not Tonggu Peak, was historically the most visually iconic, culturally significant, and symbolically named summit, even though Tonggu Peak is taller.Lotus Peak in Haifeng County remains one of its most iconic mountains. Rising to 1,337 meters, Lotus Peak is the highest point along Guangdong’s eastern coastline. Its silhouette resembles a lotus in full bloom, which gives the mountain its name. Located in the subtropical zone, Lianhua Mountain enjoys an average annual temperature of 21.9°C (71.4°F), relatively low sunshine, and a mild, pleasant climate. Dense forests blanket the area, home to rare species such as Podocarpus macrophyllus, Aquilaria sinensis, Podocarpus longifolia, and Morinda officinalis. The landscape is enriched by eighteen waterfalls—including Yulong Penxu, Sanjing Huiyin, and Longtan Feipu—as well as natural hot springs such as Zhaogong Hot Spring and Puzai Hot Spring. Scattered across the mountain are seven historic temples built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, among them Jiming Temple, Yunlian Temple, and Jinzhu Temple. In March 1995, Guangdong Lianhua Mountain Forest Park was formally established, and it officially opened to the public on June 23, 1997.[1][2][3][4]

Branches

Yinna Mountain

The Lotus Mountain Range starts at Yinna Mountain and runs southwest to end at Daya Bay of the South China Sea. Yinna Mountain is located at the junction of Meixian District and Dapu County in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province. Its main peak, Yuhuangding, is 1,298 meters above sea level. On a clear day, one can see Chaozhou, Tingzhou and Meizhou from the top of the mountain, hence the saying "Looking at the three prefectures from the depths of the white clouds".[5]

Tonggu Peak

Tongguzhang (Chinese: 铜鼓嶂), 1559 m, is the highest peak of the entire Lotus Mountain Range as well as in eastern Guangdong. It is located in Shatian Town, Fengshun County.[1][6]

Phoenix Mountain

Phoenix Mountain is located at the junction of Chaoan County and Fengshun County. Its main peak, Phoenix Ridge (also known as the Bird Ridge), is 1,497.8 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in Chaozhou City. Phoenix Mountain is the ancestral home and settlement of the She people in the Chaoshan region. It is also the main production area of the famous Chinese tea "Phoenix Dancong".[7]

Sangpu Mountain

Sangpu Mountain is located at the junction of the three cities of Shantou, Chaozhou, and Jieyang. It is 484 meters above sea level and stretches for 27 kilometers. The Tropic of Cancer passes through it. The Rongjiang River in the southwest of Chaoshan and the Hanjiang River in the northeast flow through Sangpu Mountain. The terrain is strategically important. Fengmen Ancient Path (one of the four ancient paths) was once the only way from Chaozhou to Chaoyang. Now, National Highway 206 passes by the foot of the mountain, and Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, the largest civilian airport in eastern Guangdong, is located on the north side.[8][9]

Little North Mountain

The Little North Mountain is located at the border of Shantou City and Puning City, and extends 34 kilometers from northwest to southeast. The highest peak is Dajian Mountain at 447.2 meters above sea level.[10]

Large North Mountain

The Large North Mountain is located in Jiexi County. It has an average altitude of over 700 meters and a highest peak of 1100 meters. Thin clouds linger around the mountains, which are verdant and rich in water. The area boasts dense primeval forests and over 70 rare tree species, including the Fujian cypress, a national first-class protected plant.[11]

Large South Mountain

The Large South Mountain, or Danan Mountain, is located at the junction of Chaonan District, Puning City and Huilai County. The longest east-west direction is about 50 kilometers, and the widest north-south direction is about 30 kilometers, with an area of about 1,000 square kilometers. The highest peak in Chaonan District is Leiling Peak at 521 meters above sea level,[10] while the highest peak in Puning is Wangtianshi Peak at 972 meters above sea level.[12] And there are the provincial-level Guangdong Large South Mountain Forest Park and several cultural and tourist attractions.[13]

Wudun Mountain

Wudun Mountain, also known as Wutu, is the highest mountian in Zijin County and one of the sources of the Qinjiang River, the upper reach of the Han River. Its main peak is 1232.9 meters above sea level and is located at the southern end of Nanling Town, bordering Luhe County.[14]

Wuqinzhang Mountain

Wuqinzhang Mountain is located in the northeastern part of Huidong County, bordering Zijin County. It is a large mountain range that runs across the northern part of Huidong County. The main peak, Wuqinzhang (Black Birds Mountain), is 1186.2 meters above sea level and is named for its rocks that resemble a standing bird of prey. The mountain is home to the largest population of Chinese pangolins and is a sanctuary for them.[15]

Wutong Mountain

The Lotus Mountain Range ends in Daya Bay, connecting to Wutong Mountain in Shenzhen and Robin's Nest in Hong Kong. At 943.7m high, Wutong Mountain is the tallest mountain in Shenzhen. It is also the source of the Shenzhen River.[16]

Wutong Mountain is a state-level urban scenic area with landscape features the integration of mountains, sea and lake, and the overview of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The main attraction of Wutong Mountain is the two main peaks of Big Wutong and Little Wutong. The Big Wutong is the highest peak in Shenzhen.[17]

Lotus Hills

There are "Lotus Hills" in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Shanwei, and Huizhou in southern Guangdong, as well as in Hong Kong. They are all "children" belonging to the Lotus Mountain Range, including[1][2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "一朵莲花守望福地，蓬勃矗立南海之畔 (A lotus flower guards this blessed land, standing luxuriantly on the shores of the South China Sea)". Guangzhou Daily (in Chinese). 2024-09-03.
  2. ^ a b c "蓮花山脈從這裏入海（上）(The Lotus Mountains Flow into the Sea Here (Part 1))". Wen Wei Po. 2023-04-25.
  3. ^ "海丰县 (Haifeng County)". Encyclopedia of China (3rd edition) (in Chinese). Encyclopedia of China Publishing House. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  4. ^ "中国广东汕尾旅游景点介绍：莲花山 (Introduction to tourist attractions in Shanwei, Guangdong, China: Lianhua Mountain)" (in Chinese). Sina. 2010-02-09. Archived from the original on 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  5. ^ ""粤东三胜"之阴那山 (Yinna Mountain, one of the "Three Scenic Wonders of Eastern Guangdong")". Nanfang Daily. 2006-06-13.
  6. ^ "第一節： 山 (section 1 Mountains)". Guangdong Provincial Department of Land and Resources. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  7. ^ "潮州－国家历史文化名城，著名侨乡，是广东的东大门 (Chaozhou – a national historical and cultural city, a famous hometown of overseas Chinese, and the eastern gateway of Guangdong)" (in Chinese). Dayoo, Guangzhou Daily. Archived from the original on 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
  8. ^ 刘银璇 (Liu Yinxuan) (2023-12-27). "加强区域协同立法 共同推动桑浦山保护 (Strengthen regional coordinated legislation and jointly promote the protection of Sangpu Mountain)" (in Chinese). 潮州日报 (Chaozhou Daily)、潮州人大网 (Chaozhou People’s Congress Network).
  9. ^ "桑浦山简介 (Introduction to Sangpu Mountain)" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2015-01-10. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  10. ^ a b 可爱的潮阳 (Lovely Chaoyang). 1993. ISBN 754071574X.P3-自然条件 (Natural conditions)
  11. ^ "揭西简介 (Introduction to Jiexi)" (in Chinese). Jieyang Municipal People's Government. Archived from the original on 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  12. ^ 陈奕波 (Chen Yibo) (2007-09-18). "望天顶峰 (Wangtian Peak)" (in Chinese). 潮汕民俗网转《揭阳日报》文章 (Chaoshan Folk Customs Website reprinted from Jieyang Daily article). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2010-05-29.
  13. ^ "大南山升级为省级森林公园 (Large South Mountain upgraded to a provincial-level forest park)" (in Chinese). 广东省林业局 (Guangdong Provincial Forestry Bureau). 2004-07-19. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  14. ^ "紫金概况 【主要山脉】 (Zijin Overview: Main Mountain Ranges)" (in Chinese). Zijin County People's Government Office. Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  15. ^ "惠东：沉浸式体验生态建设，乌禽嶂等你来"巡护" (Huidong: Immersive ecological development experience – Wuqinzhang awaits your "patrol")" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2024-06-15. Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  16. ^ "深圳市梧桐山风景名胜区 (Wutong Mountain Scenic Area, Shenzhen)" (in Chinese). General Office of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government. Retrieved 2026-02-07.
  17. ^ Xiaoming (2022-07-18). "深圳梧桐山，鹏城第一高峰，见证了古代，还会见证未来 (Wutong Mountain in Shenzhen, the highest peak in the city, has witnessed the past and will witness the future)". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  18. ^ "Lotus Mountain, Guangzhou – One of the Eight Views of Yangcheng". China Tripedia. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
  19. ^ "蓮花山 (Lotus Mountain)". Encyclopedia of China (3rd edition) (in Chinese). Encyclopedia of China Publishing House. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
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