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Yuanyang Creek Scenic Spot in Pingnan County

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-03-31 15:57

Taibaoluo

Located downstream of Youyi Bridge, Taibaoluo lies in the lower reaches of the Yuanyang Creek. The highlights of Taibaoluo are the thousands of mu of primitive secondary forest and its river valley landscape, which possess a beauty on a par with Baizhangji Water Curtain Cave.

The newly opened Yuanyang Creek Scenic Area in Pingnan, east Fujian, has attracted public attention since the mid 1980s and is an up and coming star among Chinese scenic attractions. In 1991, it was rated as a provincial scenic area. In early 1992, it passed the expert review organized by Chinese Ministry of Construction and was ratified by the State Council as a state key scenic area.

Lying in the northeast of Pingnan County, Yuanyang Creek is 18km long and covers an area of 78.8 square kilometers. From the autumn equinox to the Qingming Festival, which takes place in spring each year, thousands of mandarin ducks flock to the area from northern China to spend the winter. More than 300 macaques also live by the creek throughout the year. For this reason, the area is known as “a Home of Mandarin Ducks, a Paradise of Macaques and a Fairyland on Earth”.

The Yuanyang Creek is the only provincial-level nature reserve for mandarin ducks in China. It is also the scenic area with the most waterfalls in the country. It is characterized by mandarin ducks, macaques, ancient and rare trees and other animal and plant attractions. It is also blessed with breathtaking scenery, featuring peaks and rivers. The creek has five major scenic areas, namely: Baishuiyang, Yiyang, Taibaoluo, Xiafengjian and Yuanyang Lake and more than 500 attractions.

The following four wonders enjoy great popularity among visitors.

Wonder 1: Baishuiyang Scenic Group

Baishuiyang, also known as Xiapa Creek, is a natural geological wonder created by ancient volcanic sedimentary rocks. A bed of lava has formed an 8km long water street, an 80,000m2 water square and a 100m long natural surfing slide. On the water square, the riverbed is as smooth as a whetstone, and is covered by ankle-deep creek water. People can ride bicycles or drive cars on the water street or the square. Between the middle and lower squares, the White Arc Waterfall forms a giant natural 100m long slide. Underneath the slide lies Yantan Pool, a natural swimming pool. The sandy beach and the pine and bamboo beach by Yantan Pool are the perfect locations for sunbathing. Cliffs and towering rocks of various shapes line the two sides of Baishuiyang. Visitors also have the opportunity to climb the Eight Immortal Rock and watch Buddha’s light.