Mulan Heaven Lake Scenic Area in Wuhan

Mulan Heaven Lake Scenic Area in Wuhan

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The Mulan Heaven Lake Scenic Area (木兰天池风景区) is located in the Shimen Mountain (石门山) of Changxuanling Town (长轩岭镇), Huangpi District (黄陂区), Wuhan City (武汉市), Hubei Province (湖北省). This scenic area lies to the west of the Mulan Ecological Tourism Zone (木兰生态旅游区), and is adjacent to Mulan Mountain (木兰山) and Mulan Lake (木兰湖). It is a National 5A Scenic Area (国家5A级景区) and a National Forest Park (国家森林公园). The area spans 13 square kilometers and features a north-south running gorge that stretches for over 10 kilometers, connecting three main thematic parks: Romantic Mountains and Waters, High Gorge Villages, and Forest Park.

Location & Accessibility

Distance from Wuhan City Center: 55 kilometers

Distance from Tianhe Airport (天河机场): 45 kilometers

Area: 13 square kilometers

Opening Hours: 08:00 AM – 05:30 PM (Ticket sales stop at 05:00 PM)

Ticket Price: 70 RMB

The scenic area has a diverse climate and eco-system with lush vegetation and flowing streams year-round. The average temperature is 15-22°C, with the hottest month being July, which averages 25.8°C. The annual rainfall is approximately 2000 millimeters.

Famous Attractions

Mulan Heaven Lake (木兰天池)

Mulan Heaven Lake, also known as “The Heaven of Mulan”, is a picturesque destination that boasts stunning views of nature’s harmony. Here, the high mountains, clear waters, and mystic landscapes are interwoven, creating a wetland ecosystem. The area is rich in natural beauty, including waterfalls, crystal-clear pools, strange rock formations, and ancient trees. The lake itself is surrounded by mountains, creating a beautiful gorge. The lower and upper Heaven Lakes have an elevation difference of about 380 meters.

The scenic area is often referred to as “the Jiuzhaigou of Hubei” (湖北的九寨沟) and “the Lushan of Wuhan” (武汉的庐山), evoking images of natural beauty similar to well-known national parks. Local legends suggest that this area was once the home of General Mulan’s Grandmother (木兰将军的外婆家), and it is said that General Mulan (木兰将军) trained here as a child. The area also holds historical significance, being the location where former President Li Xiannian (李先念) once lived and fought, with several revolutionary sites remaining to this day. The region also contains remnants of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (太平天国) and Hong Xiuquan’s (洪秀全) era.

Natural Features

The area is known for its four unique natural landscapes: Waterfalls, Stream Pools, Strange Rocks, and Ancient Trees. There are more than 200 notable scenic spots, each offering unique views within just a short walking distance.

The Heaven Lake (天池), surrounded by high mountains, resembles a large mirror reflecting the sky and clouds, providing an ethereal experience for visitors. The Lake has an area of 360 acres and an average depth of 50 meters.

High Gorge Villages and Mulan Culture

The High Gorge Villages area showcases traditional life and culture with sights such as Zhujia Mountain Village (朱家山寨), Grassland Villages (草原人家), and Mulan’s Grandmother’s House (木兰外婆家). Visitors can explore the local culture, sample the cuisine, and enjoy the traditional ambiance of the surrounding area.

Forest Park

The Forest Park (森林公园) spans over 25,000 acres with a forest coverage rate of 98%. The area is home to more than 1,000 species of plants and animals. This is a protected area for endangered species, including numerous plants under national protection. The biodiversity of the park makes it an ideal spot for forest bathing and environmental exploration.

Adventure and Entertainment

Along the path, there are exciting and stimulating interactive games that combine adventure, excitement, and entertainment, allowing visitors to enjoy nature while letting their spirits soar. Activities such as rock climbing, cable car rides, and Grandma’s Bridge (外婆桥) offer visitors a chance to connect with the landscape in an immersive and fun way.

Notable Features

Shimen Gorge (石门大峡谷): The Gorge, stretching for 10 miles, is a stunning natural landscape offering waterfalls, streams, and strange rock formations. The gorge’s beauty is often captured in local poems such as:

“Stone gates lock the Dabie Mountains, Heaven Lake is bright in Mulan’s embrace. The ancient paths meet the distant sky, the mountain breeze mingles with the verdant mist. Listen to the sound of nature in the stream, as snowflakes fall on the secluded pools. The empty mountain shows no people, only the sound of water flows…” (石门锁大别，天池秀木兰。古道接悠远，山气入青岚。溪涧听天籁，飞雪落幽潭。空山不见人，但闻溪流声)

Key Attractions

Grandmother’s Bridge (外婆桥)

There are two Grandmother’s Bridges within the scenic area: one is a stone bridge near the main tourist route, and another is a wooden bridge located in Grandmother’s Garden (外婆园) on the mountaintop. According to legend, Little Mulan (小木兰) used to walk a long mountain road to reach her grandmother’s house. The stone bridge seen today is the path she would have taken. Over the years, the original wooden bridge has been replaced with a concrete structure, but its position and significance remain unchanged.

Dragon Pool (龙池)

Originally a natural pool, the Dragon Pool is now a man-made reservoir. A straight water dam can be seen on top of the pool. The Dragon Pool Dam is one of the scenic area’s most photographed features, and nearby, the Comprehensive Service Area (综合服务区) offers panoramic views of the surroundings.

Three Gates (三道门)

Located approximately 15 meters west of the Three Gates, this area features high-pressure shale that has been shaped by years of weathering and erosion. According to local legend, a large mushroom-shaped stone known as “Mi Long Zhuang” (縻龙桩) was used to control floods and protect the people of the area. The stone is said to have been used to tie a small white dragon (小白龙) to prevent floods from destroying the fields.

Famous Natural Scenery

The Mulan Heaven Lake Scenic Area features over 200 natural scenic spots including waterfalls, creeks, strange rocks, and ancient trees. Among the most famous natural attractions are:

Upper and Lower Eight Pools (上八潭、下三潭)

Big Waterfall (大瀑布)

Bloodstained Creek (喋血溪)

Xianling Pool (显灵潭)

Dragon Falling Stone (降龙石)

Bull Rock Creek (神牛溪), where a stone resembles a lying bull.

Henggu Waterfall (横谷大瀑布), the tallest waterfall in Wuhan, with a total height of 110 meters and a drop of 70 meters.

These natural features offer breathtaking views and make the area one of the most picturesque places in Wuhan.

Legend of Mulan

According to local historical records, a man named Zhu Yi (朱异), living in Shuanglong Town (双龙镇) to the north of the mountain, prayed for a child for many years and eventually had a daughter, whom he named Mulan (木兰). The area near the Mulan Mountain (木兰山) is said to be where Mulan’s father prayed for a son.

Mulan Hall (木兰殿), which was originally built during the Tang Dynasty (唐代) and rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty (明代), houses three statues representing the different phases of Mulan’s life. These statues depict her as a soldier, before going to war, and as a general. Mulan is famous for disguising herself as a man to join the army in place of her ailing father, eventually rising to prominence as a celebrated general.

Mulan’s heroic story of filial piety and bravery is commemorated with a stone sculpture of Mulan General’s Memorial (木兰将军坊), created with local green curtain stone. The inscription on the memorial includes a detailed carving of two dragons playing with a pearl, symbolizing the virtuous nature of Mulan and the traditional respect for female strength.

Chessboard Rock (棋盘石)

On top of Qian Chi Peak (千尺峰), which rises to 520 meters above sea level, stands the Yu Huang Pavilion (玉皇阁). This pavilion, built during the Tang Dynasty (唐代), was where General Mulan (木兰将军) received her imperial crown after returning victorious from the battlefield.

The “Xia Ma Rock” (下马石), also known as Mulan’s Dismounting Rock, is where Mulan would have dismounted her horse after returning home from her military service.

Cultural Importance

Mulan’s story is widely known throughout China, with multiple regions claiming her as their local heroine. Her legacy continues to inspire both men and women across generations.

The famous Mulan Ballad (木兰辞) from the Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏) recounts her heroism and sacrifice, and Du Mu (杜牧), a renowned poet from the Tang Dynasty, wrote a poem praising her for her courage and filial piety:

“弯弓征战作男儿，梦里曾经与画眉，几度思归还把酒，拂云堆上祝明妃.”
(With a curved bow, I fought as a man; in my dreams, I met the painted thrush, often thinking of returning home, raising a cup of wine to honor the virtuous Mulan.)

Practical Information

Best Time to Visit

March to May and August to October are the best times to visit. Spring offers cherry blossoms, while autumn is ideal for mild temperatures.

Ticket Prices

General Admission: 70 RMB

Children (under 6 years old or less than 1.2 meters in height): Free

Youth (6-18 years old with valid ID): 50% off

Seniors (65 years and above with ID): Free, 60-65 years old: 50% off

Students (Full-time university and below): 50% off

Military Personnel (Active, Disabled, Retired): Free

Disabled: Free

Transportation

There are direct buses from Wuhan to the scenic area, departing from the Yangtze River Second Bridge (长江二桥) near the Jiangtan Flower and Bird Market (江滩花鸟市场). The drive takes about 1.5 hours from Wuhan city center.

Public transport options also include taking bus 292 to Huangpi, and then switching to a mini-bus to the scenic area.

Awards

On April 12, 2021, the Hubei Provincial Government (湖北省人民政府) awarded the Mulan Heaven Lake Scenic Area with recognition as a high-quality service attraction for the “Travel with Love, Enjoy Hubei” (与爱同行惠游湖北) campaign in 2020.

Travel Information

Best Time to Visit

The Mulan Heaven Lake Scenic Area (木兰天池风景区) is open year-round. The climate remains pleasant with temperatures ranging from 15-22°C, making it a great spot for visits throughout all seasons.

Suggested Visit Duration

A visit typically takes around 1-2 hours for exploration of the main attractions. However, a full-day trip is recommended for those wishing to enjoy all the scenic spots and activities.

Admission Fee

70 RMB

Opening Hours

08:00 AM – 05:30 PM (last entry by 05:00 PM)

Location

Changxuanling Town, Huangpi District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.

Visitors can reach the scenic area by car or public transport, with shuttle buses available from the entrance. The nearest transport hub is Wuhan Tianhe Airport (天河机场), which is about 45 kilometers away.