Explore Susong's Wonders in 1 day: Mount Lu & Baiyazhai

Wenmei VillageA plum-themed immersive cultural destination blending literature and charm, this approximately 300-acre park features Ming and Qing-style architectural clusters built along mountain contours, with dark-tiled white walls interspersed among expansive plum groves.

Every winter and spring, over ten varieties of plum blossoms, including palace pink, cinnabar, and green calyx, bloom in succession, their subtle fragrance mingling with the ancient architecture's upturned eaves. Visitors can stroll through the winding paths of the garden, discovering cultural spaces like the Plum Shadow Study and the Plum Inquiry Hall, or enjoy live Huangmei opera performances at the Rice Field Theater, where traditional art harmonizes with natural scenery. Guests can also participate in hands-on workshops at the intangible cultural heritage center, learning embroidery and bamboo weaving, or study the Song dynasty tea ceremony with masters at the Zen Tea House.

The park's specially designed night tour system adds extra charm: light installation art along Moonlight Plum Path and holographic projection shows on the central lake island give traditional cultural elements a modern twist.

For families with children, seasonal activities like rice planting and fish catching in the farming experience area, as well as plum grove sketching, provide hands-on educational opportunities to connect with nature. The park preserves native vegetation belts, utilizes mountain terrain to build rainwater collection systems, and interplants local crops among the plum groves, creating a sustainable view of agricultural landscape.

Baiyazhai Attraction is located in the north of Susong County, Anhui Province, at the junction with the southwest of Taihu County, with a total area of ​​82 square kilometers, spanning Zhifeng Township, Liangting Town and Aikou Township, with the main Attraction in Zhifeng Township. It is 5 kilometers away from National Highway 105, 15 kilometers from the entrance of G50 and Susong Station of Hejiu Railway, and 25 kilometers from the planned Susong Station of He'an Jiu High-speed Railway. Baiyazhai was built in the late Yuan Dynasty and is an ancient military fortress with a long history and large scale. Because of its rugged terrain, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it has been a battleground for military strategists of all dynasties, and is known as the "Little Great Wall of the South". After Wu Shijie in the late Yuan Dynasty, he built a fort to resist the invaders - Shi Kefa in the late Ming Dynasty, turned defeat into victory and wrote the title "Shang Yicheng" - during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom period, he fought fiercely against the Qing army - "The 27th Red Army set out from here" - Liu Deng's army commanded the south to cross the river... After nearly 700 years of wind and rain erosion, it is still basically intact. Baiyazhai, as a relic of the fortress culture and military culture left by Chinese history, has important historical, artistic and scientific value. In July 1985, Anhui Province listed Baiyazhai as a key cultural relic protection unit in the province. In July 1987, Anhui Province approved Baiyazhai as a provincial scenic spot. In May 2000, the China Cultural Relics Protection and Publicity Committee and the China Cultural Relics Protection Century Tour Organizing Committee awarded Baiyazhai the title of "Chinese Historical and Cultural Heritage". In 2001, it was rated as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. In January 2019, it was approved as a national AAAA-level tourist Attraction. On July 1, 2020, it was awarded the plaque "Baiyazhai Red Traditional Education On-site Teaching Base". [Baiyazhai Stone Carving] At the entrance - Zhao Puchu, former president of the Buddhist Association of China, wrote in his own handwriting. On the mountain - Li Guangzu, a calligrapher of the Red Army, wrote on the stone. [Panlongmen] The gatehouses are all built with large stones and are in the shape of a half-moon arch bridge. It is about 10 meters high, 8 meters wide and 5 meters thick. There is a gun muzzle on the top, which can be used for both firing and observation. Because the rocks on both sides of the gate are exposed and look like dragon ridges, they are commonly known as "dragon bone stones", so it is named "Panlongmen". [Monument to Wu Shijie] The founder of Baiyazhai. In the late Yuan Dynasty, in order to protect the country and the people, he organized local farmers to build a stronghold to resist the invaders. After Wu Shijie's death, the villagers buried him on the mountain of Baiyazhai to thank him for his great kindness. [Ladder to Heaven] Shi Kefa defeated Zhang Xianzhong with a surprise attack here. The ladder has a slope of 70 degrees, a total length of 100 meters, and a total of more than 280 steps. ["The Best"] Shi's army fought against Zhang's army, and after a fierce battle, they turned defeat into victory. He wrote the four words "The Best" here in person, which is a stone to commemorate his achievements. Next to it is the inscription "The holy name of Yashan Fudi Xiqi, Xinjie Dingpai Yuanzheng Bodhi" by Monk Xue'an. [Guandi Temple] Also known as "Bai Ya Temple". The Guandi Temple was preserved until after liberation. The current Guandi Temple was rebuilt with funds raised by the public on the site of the original Guandi Temple Sutra Library. [Phoenix Lying and Dragon Resting] After the establishment of the 27th Red Army, it won its first victory. Guo Shushen wrote the four characters "Phoenix Lying and Dragon Resting" in front of the stone wall of Dongying Peak, implying that Baiyazhai is a place where dragons and tigers are hidden. [Wangjiang Pavilion] Wangjiang Pavilion is one of the landmark buildings of Baiyazhai. Passengers on the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway, Hefei-Jiujiang Railway, and National Highway 105 can see it clearly. It echoes the Tingquan Pavilion opposite, one large and one small. This pavilion is located in the south of the village. When the autumn weather is high and refreshing, you can see the Yangtze River here like a long ribbon, hence the name "Wangjiang Pavilion".

Xiaogu Mountain, also known as Xiaogu Mountain, is located in Fuxing Town, Susong County. It is only separated from Pengze County on the Xijiang River in the south and across the river from Mount Lu in the southwest. It is a wonder on the Yangtze River. The mountain is 100 meters high, with lush bamboos and trees on the mountain, and the river under the mountain is surging, with a radius of one mile. The terrain here is dangerous and it is a battleground for soldiers of all dynasties. After the Southern Song Dynasty, beacon towers and forts were set up here, the Red Turban Army and Yuque in the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang in the Ming Dynasty, Wang Shouren and Zhu Chenhao, and Peng Yulin and the Taiping Army in the Qing Dynasty all fought against each other here, and there was an "Anqing Portal". , "Chu Sai Wuguan" said.

Mount Lu is known as one of China’s “four great summer retreats,” together with Jigongshan, Beidaihe, and Mount Mogan. Mountain peaks, waterfalls, unique views of “cloud oceans,” and garden architecture all lend Mount Lu its rich charm. The mountain climate allows visitors to feel the cool and comfortable feel of spring even in the summertime, and has secured Mount Lu's position as a famous scenic area and historic vacation spot and retreat.

Shiliandong National Forest Park is located in the suburbs of Susong County, at the junction of Anhui, Hubei and Jiangxi provinces. The park is dominated by forest landscapes and based on natural landscapes. Leisure and vacation facilities have been built. It is a multifunctional comprehensive forest park with the functions of an urban entertainment area.

The park is full of strange peaks and rocks, verdant pines, graceful bamboos, singing birds and fragrant flowers. The Shilian Cave is full of strange rocks in various shapes, with misty clouds and unfathomable depths. It is also rich in cultural landscapes, myths and legends. There are many kinds of wild animals, which have high ornamental and protection value. The main attractions include: Shilian Ancient Cave, Longxiao Stone, Sigu Pavilion, Yixiantian, Heyi Ancient Pool, Buddha Seat Stone, Wuzu Zen Forest, Tingyu Pavilion and amusement park. It is an ideal paradise for people to return to nature and travel.

The main landscapes are as follows:

Shilian Cave: It is embedded in the middle of Hexi where there are lush trees. The cave entrance is steep and rugged with vines and creepers. In front of the cave, ancient trees with twisted branches and trunks protect the cave entrance. In front of the cave, there is a platform built on the cliff. The stone chamber in the cave is hollow, with dripping springs and upside-down stalactites. There are the Dharma-Giving Cave and the sculptures of the Eight Immortals, which are vivid and lifelike, and many myths and legends are left behind!

Tingyu Pavilion: This is the only way to enter and exit Shilian Cave. The water in the pool flows out from the Jade Stream in Dongting Lake, which is based on the real scene and the poem of Li Bai "Bamboo shadows sweep the autumn moon, lotus clothes fall on the ancient pond".

Sigu Pavilion and Yixiantian: Built on the top of Hexi Mountain, it is a double-layer hexagonal pavilion with flying eaves. From here, you can look at Tianzhu in the north, Kuanglu in the south, Wuzu in the west, and Xiaogu in the east, and you can enjoy the thousand-mile cloud mountain and the vast cloud waves. On the west side of Sigu Pavilion, there is a peculiar group of rocks standing across the road and on the cliff. It is hollow below and has a gap above, so it is called "Yixiantian".

Wuzu Zen Forest: According to legend, Hongren, the fifth patriarch of Zen Buddhism, once rested here and loved the quietness of the stone caves and the beauty of the mountains and forests. He opened a temple here to preach and promote Zen, and built Wuzu Zen Forest. This temple was huge before the Ming Dynasty. After the war, it was repaired and destroyed again. Now the first phase of the project, Wuzu Hall and some ancillary facilities have been built. The temple is now filled with Buddhist chants and the incense is gradually becoming more popular.