Touching the Yangtze River in the north and Yellow Mountain (Mt. Huangshan) in the south, Chizhou, in southwestern Anhui Province, is not only an important port city along the Yangtze, but also a famous tourist city at both state and provincial levels.  

Apricot Flower Village

In his poem, Pure Brightness, eminent Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Du Mu described a locale of natural beauty dubbed “Apricot Flower Village.” Today, over a dozen areas in eight provinces, including Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, and Shanxi, all claim to be Du Mu’s inspiration. Scholars still debate where the location described in the classic poem actually was.

Chizhou City may have the advantage, though, since it is the only candidate with historical records to prove the existence of an Apricot Flower Village there. In 1987, the village was chosen as one of the first provincial level scenic spots in Anhui. In 1999, an overseas Chinese living in Hungary joined with the local government to restore the village.

The main scenic area includes 18 hectares covered with plants, flowers, apricot trees, crisscrossing brooks, Tang Dynasty-style structures, and classical theaters. The area highlights local celebrities, famous poems, and brands of liquor as it specializes in ancient local culture and customs, showcased in spots along the Long Corridor of the Six Dynasties, the Yellow Cottage, the ruins of the Apricot Flower Village, and the Exhibition Center of Local Customs, among others.
 

Great King Cave

The Great King Cave of Pailou Town in Guichi District is a state Grade AAAA scenic area, featuring a variety of pristine aquatic sites such as waterfalls, fountains, and pools around a large karst cave. An abundance of rock formations can also be found, including stalactites, stalagmites, rock columns, and lotus-shaped rocks.

The cave is divided into five areas, including the Bridge of Heaven, the Ravine of Rain, the Mansion of the Great King, the Lake of the Great King, and the Cableway.

The Bridge of Heaven is a natural stone bridge, 52 meters high, 64 meters wide, and 73 meters deep. It serves as a gateway to the whole scenic area. Experts assert that such a formation is a rarity on the planet. The Ravine of Rain is a miniature of a virgin forest with ancient trees touching the sky and waterfalls plunging off sheer cliffs. The Mansion of the Great King Cave is a world of hills, water, karst caves, and man-made landscapes. Stretching some 3,500 meters away, it features brooks running through caves, with fresh air and mild climate throughout the year.

As well as its natural scenery, the Cave area is also famous for tea, which has become an important income source for locals thanks to the thriving tourism sector.