Current LocationWaterlily used to be known as Dong Peng. I have heard a lot of praises from my friends about Water Lotus, even the fairyland on earth. I also saw many friends sharing photos of water lilies and was attracted every time, but I never went there. On the last day of my May Day vacation, when I was home alone, I decided to drive to Waterlily Mountain Forest Park by myself to experience this place which has been known as one of the eight scenic spots in Dongguan since the Ming Dynasty.
The Shuilianshan Forest Park gives people the feeling of a beautiful mountain. It is different from the scenic Daling Mountain and Yinping Mountain because water can be felt everywhere here, such as Hu Shui Lian, Shanlian Mountain Sky Pond, Shuilian Cave Sky Dome, Stream Hiking Trail, Shuilian Flying Waterfall, and so on, so everyone can come here.
Dongguan Shuilianshan Forest Park Introduction
Every time you go to a new attraction, everyone plays differently. The first time to Shuilianshan Forest Park, so more casual. Scenic area in front of the Happy World to like landscape I naturally have no attraction. It was hot that day, with a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius, but when I got out of the car, I couldn't feel the so-called hot feeling at all. All I could feel was the coolness of the shade of the trees, like sitting at home with a fan on.
The main roads in the scenic area are basically surrounded by trees, so walking on the road is in the shade and not directly hit by the sun. Although it is the May Day holiday, but the scenic area is not many tourists, as usual, no more, no less, just right. Tourists, alone to enjoy themselves. I also, with my own feelings began my water lily journey.
Waterfall Cave Field
Once in the scenic area you can see the pagoda, which says Waterfall Cave Field. The first impression given by these four words is actually not that clear, but I can probably imagine the meaning, which is the scenery of Water Lotus Mountain with its unique caves, and also refers to the Water Lotus Waterfalls, which flow down from the mountain like a curtain of water with its majesty. I've seen too many waterfalls to basically visualize that view, so I'm looking forward to this trip.
The Knight Safety Pavilion overlooking Water Lotus Lake is like a wonderland.
The first attraction you reach as you head up the main road is the Knight Safety Pavilion, which is located halfway up the mountain. The Knight Safety Pavilion is a three-story building nearly 20 meters high, supported by 48 pillars. It is simply decorated. It can be said that it does not have much character and its history is not long. It is conformist, but under the blue sky and white clouds, in the mountainous jungle, it will have some unique style. There is very little about the Knight Safety Hall and no particular explanation, so personally, I think it exists to enjoy the view of ShuiQuan Lake down the mountain. Sometimes, that's just the way it is. It's not necessarily because of its own features that attract people, but because its existence reflects other beauties. The Knight Security Pavilion serves that purpose.
Front of Knight Safety Pavilion
Knight Safety Pavilion has no special features, but it allows visitors to enjoy very beautiful sights, such as the lush jungle on the hill, the occasional blooming flowers, and a few pavilions that are enviable. What a blessing it is to live in such a place. And when you walk up to the pavilions and look down on the mountain, you will be mesmerized by the view in front of you. It is a natural carving, unique, lush, emerald green, and its mountain springs reflecting the moon, just like a fairyland on earth. It was called "Little Penglai outside the city" by Chen, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites in the Ming Dynasty, and for no reason at all.
My favorite is the small pavilion in the lake, where people can sit and rest, paint and listen to music. Such scenery also reminds me of the West Lake in Hangzhou. Many people may say it is not as good as the West Lake of Hangzhou, but the fact that its scenery reminds me of the West Lake of Hangzhou means that it is really extraordinary.
The Knight Safety Pavilion looks at the view from the mountain.
The Knight Safety Pavilion looking at the view on the lake.
We all look forward to a home that sits on the lake, right next to the jungle. It was wonderful to wake up every day to the lilting jungle birdsong and sit on the veranda with a cup of tea, a book and a view of the lake. After dinner, my family and I take a walk around the lake and enjoy the sunset and afterglow of the setting sun. How beautiful it was.
At this moment, I remembered Tao Yuanming's saying "Picking chrysanthemums under the east fence, leisurely seeing the south mountain." The so-called poetic life, is not it? So, this trip is actually enough to enjoy the scenery. We don't have to pursue more and more beautiful scenery, but to immerse yourself in the scenery you can appreciate and touch your heart, so it's convenient enough.
Poetic lakeside living
Walks around the lake
It's far more than just a day at the Waterfall Cave on a quiet hiking trail.
Each time you climb a different mountain, you feel different. Before climbing Yinping Mountain, Dongguan's first peak, the only goal was to reach the top. The only goal of climbing Mount Tai was the sunrise and the sea of clouds, and the only goal of climbing Mount Hengshan was Zhurong Peak. Because the purpose of climbing was too clear, the scenery and feelings during the climb were neglected. This time, climbing Mount Shuilian, there are not many goals, but it will be more natural, focusing on the trail.
When I started from the Ancient Temple Square, I chose the hiking trail on the right. It didn't look that appealing and felt a bit cold and aged. When I started to climb, I was a bit scared. It was too quiet, unwelcoming, and I was alone. This fear lasted for a long time, as I soon heard the sounds of tourists, proving that the trail was not cold, but less crowded. Sometimes too much quiet can be disconcerting.
On the way we also saw a sculpture of Chen Lian, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites in the Ming Dynasty. Chen Lian, whose real name was Tingqi, no. Qin Xuan, a native of Qiaotou Jingtou Village, Houjie Town. After work, he liked to compose poems and songs, and was also known as "Little Ouyang" by the people. This celebrity was famous for his literature, and he was good at painting and calligraphy. His works include "The Draft of Returning to the Field" and "The Collection of Qinxuan". However, everyone is familiar with the song "Waterfall Cave", which praises Mount Shuilian: "Outside the city, there is a small Penglai with natural pictures. From the shadow of flowers, people come from the shade of willow. Ancient cave hiding smoke and water, monument erosion rain moss. White-headed Taoist priest Chen, the idea of staying a guest lingers. In such a quiet place, his sculpture is actually telling us that we haven't come to the wrong place. So, I like it more here.
When I saw the tourists, I was already at the Water Lotus Cave. There are two pavilions of different sizes where tourists can enjoy the small pool under the cliff. There are turtles and small fish in the pool. However, I didn't have a view of the Water Lotus Cave because the Water Lotus Waterfall wasn't here. I wish the water lily waterfall was here, it would be more vivid. If there was a waterfall here, the water in the pool would be much clearer and not so muddy as it is now. I don't know if the water would be clearer here in the summer when there are more days. But perhaps it is the characteristics of the big mountains, more original, without too many deliberate traces. Into the nature is not to appreciate the picture of nature?
Compared to the waterfall cave sky here, I prefer the poolside pavilion, because it exists in a very cleverly designed, one is the end of the poolside, one is the intersection of the walkway. It's a foothold and a starting point, giving a sense of hope, a sense of pressure. I think that's what the people who designed the pavilion had in mind when they did it. It's like our lives. Sometimes, you think it's the end, but in fact, it's just the beginning. The most important meaning of the pavilion is to shelter passers-by from the wind and rain, but the truth is not only that, it also has the functions of ornamental, welcoming and inspiring.
The pavilion next to the Water Lotus Cave
Another surprise is that the entire trail leading to the Tianchi follows the flow of the water, and you can hear not only the melodious birdsong, but also the crisp sound of the water. On the way, I met a kid who kept saying to his mom, "Mom, I want to drink the mountain spring water. Then I kept looking there for a clearer stream of water. He was very touched when he saw the bottle in his hand, filled with mountain spring water, and then looked after it as if it were a treasure. What a blessing for a child whose mom guides her child in her own way, giving him a closer connection to nature. Maybe that's what's so wonderful about this place, the beauty of the mountains and the water, so that those who come here can enjoy a little bit of it.
The sound of crisp running water in the mountains
Black swans dance in the Sky Pool of Shuilian Mountain.
Impression of the Tianchi, eyes wide, such as Changbaishan Tianchi, Tianshan Tianchi, etc., so always looking forward to witnessing Shuilian Tianchi. All the way to the water is basically Tianchi. Came to the Tianchi, not so shocking before, but there is an extraordinary sense of tranquility. Because it is in the mountains, surrounded by dense trees, like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds in the sky and the turquoise shore.
When you stand on the bridge, you can enjoy the view of the whole Tianchi. It is not very big, but you have a different feeling. The small Tianchi will never dry up, partly because of the protection of the dense forest on the mountain, and partly because of the low spots on the mountain. It's like a spring, constantly supplying water to Shuilian Lake at the bottom of the mountain and nourishing the vegetation on the mountain. It is more like a hidden place in the mountains, attracting many literati to come here to find inspiration and enjoy the peace and elegance.
The serenity of Tianchi
What's more noteworthy is that there are two black swans in Tianchi. They swim freely in the pool. Sometimes, you will see it stop by the pool and talk quietly. Just like a couple, they are enjoying the scenery here, unaffected by the people around them. Sometimes, you will see them swimming together to the center of the lake, where they show their dance, as if telling us, welcome to Shuilianshan Tianchi, and then enjoying our performance.
Every time I see a black swan, I remember that in one of our studies, the teacher told us that many people know about the white swan and think that all the swans in the world are white. But the truth is not so. Not all swans are white, but there are black swans. This also tells us not to rely on our own perceptions to be sure of things in the world, because the world is really big and we need to keep expanding our knowledge to have a better understanding of the world.
The Water Lotus Pavilion at the top of Water Lotus Hill overlooks the whole city.
A city, very often, we can appreciate its hustle and bustle, but seldom can we see how small it is from a high place. I've been in Dongguan for many years, and I've never really stood at a high place overlooking the city of Dongguan. In Shenzhen, you can climb up to Kingkey 100 to overlook Shenzhen; in Tianjin, you can climb up to the TV Tower to overlook Tianjin; in Guangzhou, you can climb up to the Canton Tower to overlook Guangzhou. On the Water Lotus Pavilion at the top of Water Lotus Hill, I can overlook Dongguan. It feels naturally satisfying to see the city without having to pay for it.
The Water Lotus Pavilion, located at the highest point of Water Lotus Hill, is more flavorful than the Knight Security Pavilion halfway up the hill, blending in with the blue sky. How many people come to Water Lotus, hoping to record its most beautiful moments. And I was able to enjoy such a beautiful moment on my first visit. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, many literati came here to compose poems.
Although the top of Shuilian Mountain is only 378 meters above sea level, it is unique when you look down on Shuilian Pavilion. Perhaps, it is the line from the great Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi's "Inscription on the Ugly Room" that a mountain is not named after an immortal if it is not high, and a dragon is named after a dragon if the water is not deep. Here you can see different landscapes from any angle, such as the skyscrapers of Dongguan, the beautiful Shuilian Mountain, the emerald green mountains, and the Shatong Eco-Park in the distance.
From a distance, you can see the quiet side of the city, but in fact, the city is very noisy and busy. Therefore, at this time, the scenery you see in the city will make you spellbound, never get tired of seeing, you will also suddenly realize why the water lily is called by the public as the city's "backyard", because it exudes the infinite charm of man and nature in harmony **** place.
The TV tower on top of Shuilian Mountain
I believe that when the night comes, you can see the lights of Dongguan. The blooming neon lights will surely illuminate the whole city and weave another kind of beauty of the city. Both the daytime scenery and the nighttime scenery make up the cityscape. Perhaps one day, I will ascend here again. At that time, I hope it will be at night. I want to see the city at night and enjoy another kind of scenery.
Besides the beautiful mountains and water, Shuilian actually has many cultural colors to feel and explore. For example, the Ancient Temple Plaza of the Seosan Ancient Temple Museum, the Garden Garden, and the Little Penglai Pavilion. However, some places are currently closed to the public because of the epidemic.
But, no matter what, you can still feel the uniqueness and beauty of the place and be satisfied. Therefore, Shuilianshan Forest Park must be a place worth visiting among the tourist attractions in Dongguan. I didn't discover it before, but now I finally witnessed its color. I believe I will appreciate its beauty again in the future.
: Dongguan Shuilianshan Forest Park Tips
1. Transportation: There is a parking lot at the entrance of Shuilianshan Scenic Area, which charges on time. Parked all afternoon, spent 7.5 yuan. If you want to go by public **** car, there is a public **** car to the entrance of Shuilian Mountain Scenic Area.
2. Route: There are four hiking trails in Shuilian. It is recommended that you can climb the mountain from Route 3, including Water Lotus Cave and Sky Pond, and then go directly to the Water Lotus Pavilion. When you get off the bus, you can go to Ancient Temple Square. From Yuanquan, you can go to Little Penglai, stroll along the lake or take a boat trip. At night, you can see the sunset.
3. Equipment and dry food: the climbing route of the Water Lotus is actually not very steep and it is all in the dense forest, so you don't need much personal equipment, but you can bring some water. There are amusement parks and water parks next to the scenic area. Visitors who like to play in the water can bring their own swimsuits and caps.
4. Tickets: climbing the mountain is free, other boat trips, horseback riding, amusement parks, etc.. All are self-funded.