Mian'gang Yaojiang source is not only the source of Siming Lake but also the source of five rivers
In Dalang Town, Yuyao City, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, there is a prominent hill with an elevation of 636 meters. The shape of the hill resembles a large bed lying down, hence the name Mian'gang. It also has a well-known name: Yaojiang source.
On July 18, 2026, Ying visited Donggang Village, Luting Township, Yuyao City, for the sixth time. This is where academicians Ma Yuqiang and Ma Yugang lived in their youth. During this trip, it was unexpectedly discovered that the road from Donggang Village through Mian'gang Yaojiang source to Dalang Town has been completed and connects with the Huxi Line highway. Ying tried driving on it. Once officially open, there will be an additional route to reach Yaojiang source.
Tea gardens are planted on Mian'gang, offering a broad view. Leisure and vacation facilities are currently under construction, and it is expected to become a popular tourist spot in Ningbo.
Standing on Mian'gang, you can see the water from Mian'gang flowing in all directions. Mian'gang is not only the Yaojiang source of Liangnong Creek but also the origin of Longxi, Chishui Creek, Langzhuang Creek, and Chen Creek, making it the source of five rivers.
To the northeast of Mian'gang, the water converges into a stream flowing through Longxi Village, Luting Township, called Longxi. At the foot of the mountain, it meets Zhongyao Creek, which originates from Donggang and Jinling, forming Xiaolu Creek. Downstream, Xiaojiao Creek merges with Dajiao Creek at Jiaokou Reservoir.
To the southeast, the water forms a stream flowing through Shilin Village, Chishui, Danshan, called Chishui Creek. It joins Daxi Creek, flows through Zhougongzhai Reservoir, and downstream is called Dajiao Creek. Dajiao Creek and Xiaojiao Creek merge at Jiaokou Reservoir. Further downstream, Zhang Creek and Yin River flow into Fenghua River.
To the southwest, the streams originating from Mian'gang, Papinggang, and Qingtinggang plunge down cliffs into Shangyu District, Shaoxing City. The narrow valley is filled with jagged rocks. During floods, the water crashes against the stones, creating a terrifying sound, hence the name Langzhuang Creek. It flows through Langzhuang Village and merges with Longtan Creek, which originates from Hanshan Peak in Siming Mountain, forming Guan Creek.
Dividing at Xiajialing, the water from Mian'gang gathers into a stream flowing through Xiajia'ao Village and Chenjia'ao Village, called Chen Creek. It joins Guan Creek in Chen Creek Township and flows downstream into Cao'e River.
On the west side of Mian'gang, there is a spring seeping water to form a well, known as the Yaojiang source. In 1993, the expert group surveying the main source of Yaojiang River confirmed Mian'gang as the source and erected a stone monument inscribed with "Yuyao Yaojiang main source."
In 2005, the local area launched a "Youth afforestation activity to protect the mother river." On March 21, Bayin Chaolu, then secretary of the Ningbo Municipal Party Committee, inscribed "Yaojiang source youth forest." A monument with this inscription was erected on Mian'gang to commemorate the event.
Next to the Mian'gang water well, the four characters "Yaojiang source" from Bayin Chaolu's inscription were also carved into a stone. The Yaojiang source has become a landmark of Dalang Town.
Looking northwest from Mian'gang, with Mian'gang as the center, the mountain extends to both wings. To the north, it stretches toward Donggang, Jinling, and Daqingshan. To the northwest, it extends to Yangeling, Tiedingshan, and Niubeishan. The V-shaped landform resembles two hands reaching forward, gathering water to form Liangnong Creek, which flows into the well-known Siming Lake. Downstream, it is called Siming River and joins Yaojiang at Sanqiao Village, Yonghe Town, Shangyu District.
Mian'gang is both the source of Yaojiang River and Siming Lake. The water from one mountain flows in all directions and eventually returns to the sea.
Looking at the Yaojiang River's course on the map, the water flowing from Siming Lake into Yaojiang is just a small channel. The wider Yaojiang River actually comes from the west. During the Western Jin Dynasty, He Xun, the county magistrate of Kuaiji Commandery, led the excavation of the Xixing Canal, connecting the Hangzhou-Ningbo Canal. This allowed the water of Cao'e River to divert into Yaojiang, becoming its main water source. The Cao'e River originates from Changwu Jianling in Shanghu Town, Pan'an County, Jinhua City. Its upper reaches include the famous scenic area Pan'an Eighteen Whirlpools.
After the road from Dalang Town through Yaojiang source to Donggang Village, Luting Township, opened, Luting Township, Yaojiang source, and Dalang Town, deep in Siming Mountain, can form a self-driving loop tour route.