Yancang Mountain Tourist Area

Yancang Mountain Scenic Area is located on the eastern slope of the Tiantai Mountain range, between Meilin, Shenquan, and Xidian towns in Ninghai County. It covers an area of about five square kilometers, 18 kilometers from the county seat, 11 kilometers from Nanxi Hot Spring Resort, 64 kilometers from Ningbo Airport, and 75 kilometers from Ningbo City. Yancang Mountain is divided into several parts: the entrance, Yanmen Ancient Path, Yancang Valley, and Jiulong Stream. Yancang Valley has five peaks: Tianguan, Yuping, Baidi, Xianglu, and Guanhai, surrounding a hundred-acre secluded valley, resembling a wild goose nest. The bamboo forest remains lush all year round, with caves and giant walls scattered throughout. Wild geese often come here to overwinter. Jiulong Stream converges at Zhushan, resembling a gathering of dragons. There are six waterfalls and nine dragon pools in the stream, with rainbows dancing under the scorching sun. In the three small areas of Yancang Valley—Xiaoxitian, Jixiang Temple, and Yanmen Ancient Path—there are nine qi holes, such as Yinyang Palm, where hot air rises in the cold winter and cool breezes blow in the hot summer. Taoists call it Ziyang Vital Energy, which can strengthen the body and prolong life. Practitioners regard it as a treasured place. Eight spring eyes, such as Qinxiquan, either emerge from the mountains or from caves, containing metasilicic acid and various trace elements, which can cure diseases like the three-flavored pure water of Buddhism. Pilgrims regard it as holy water.