Qimen County (祁门县), located in Anhui Province, is renowned as the birthplace of Qimen opera and Muliang opera, as well as being a prominent area for Huiju opera and Huangmei opera. The region around Guniujiang is also recognized as the origin of Xin’an medicine, known for its historical connection to imperial physicians and the legacy of distinguished doctors. Throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, Qimen County produced 19 imperial physicians, with Wang Ji, the founder of Xin’an medicine, being the most notable figure. This rich medical heritage has earned Qimen the title of “the First County of Imperial Physicians in China.”
Travel Information about Qimen County
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets:
- Guniujiang: 70 RMB
- Fengjiading and Kengkou: Free
- Qicai Yugu: 30 RMB
- Xianyu Mountain Ancient Huizhou Road: 50 RMB
Opening Hours:
- Fengjiading and Kengkou: Open all day
- Guniujiang, Qicai Yugu, and Xianyu Mountain Ancient Huizhou Road: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Best Time to Visit
Qimen County boasts beautiful mountainous landscapes that can be enjoyed year-round. However, spring is the best time to see the tea gardens in full bloom. Guniujiang is particularly stunning in spring and autumn; April brings blooming rapeseed flowers, while autumn showcases vibrant red leaves in the frost-kissed forests, offering a unique charm.
Location
Guniujiang is located at the border of Qimen and Shitai counties.
Fengjiading is situated in Ruokeng Township, Qimen County.
Kengkou is found in Xishanli Town, Qimen County.
Qicai Yugu and the Ancient Huizhou Road are located in Hongqi Village, Ruokeng Township, within Xianyu Mountain.
Transportation
Long-distance buses from Huangshan Bus Station travel to Qimen every 20 minutes. There is also a direct bus from Tunxi to Guniujiang, operating once daily, departing at 12:40 PM.
Scenic Ratings
- Cultural Experience: ★★★
- Local Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Qimen County
Guniujiang Guanyin Hall
Guniujiang, formerly known as “Xihuang Mountain,” derives its name from a large black rock at its summit, resembling a lying bull from a distance. This scenic area is located at the border of Shitai and Qimen counties, with its main peak, Guniu Peak, situated in Shitai.
Guniujiang is renowned for its pristine natural landscapes, characterized by majestic, unique, and perilous features, with the “Five Wonders” being its strange pines, bizarre rocks, cascading waterfalls, sea of clouds, and the Buddhist halo. There are currently five major scenic areas: the Main Peak Scenic Area, Longmen Scenic Area, Qifeng Scenic Area, Shuanghekou Scenic Area, and Guanyin Hall Scenic Area. The first four are located in Shitai County, while the Guanyin Hall Scenic Area is within Qimen County.
The Guanyin Hall Scenic Area is known as a “natural oxygen bar,” representing the most well-preserved and pristine part of Guniujiang’s five scenic areas, centered around Guniu Lake. It stretches from the eastern Dayan Keng Gorge and Xiaoyan Keng Gorge to Dali Mountain, and westward to Xianv Pond. Notable attractions include Xianv Pond, Heilong Pond, Huanglong Pond, Iron Casting Furnace, Qixian Cave, Camel Peak, and gatherings of immortals.
Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks on the waterfront platform at Guniu Lake, taking in the stunning views of the lake and mountains, fishing, or paddling in a hand-cranked wooden boat. They can learn the art of red tea production, sample tea, and watch tea ceremonies at the Red Tea Workshop. The riverside stage hosts performances showcasing rich Huizhou folk customs and the culture of minority groups such as the Wa people. Additionally, the Guniujiang Geological Museum offers educational insights into geology, while various outdoor activities such as exploration, hiking, rock climbing, rappelling, diving, and camping provide endless fun for adventure enthusiasts.
The Legend of Guniujiang
According to legend, ancient Guniujiang was home to a strange bird named Que, described as “resembling a chicken with a white head, having rat-like feet and tiger claws.” This fierce creature preyed on various birds and beasts, and even dared to attack humans, leading to the extinction of wildlife in the area.
One day, the Daoist sage Laozi was passing through on his green ox. After walking for half a day without seeing a single living creature, he found it very peculiar. Suddenly, a strange cry pierced the air, and a massive monstrous bird swooped down toward him and his ox. The powerful green ox spread its hooves and leaped into the air, using its horns to charge at the beast. In no time, the ox’s horns struck the bird, breaking its wings, and with a loud cry, the bird fell onto a mountain ridge.
The green ox leaped onto the ridge and pinned the monstrous bird down, ensuring it could never rise again. Over time, the green ox transformed into a giant stone, while the bird’s remains decayed into the soil, and its feathers became the many oddly-shaped pine trees scattered across the landscape. To honor the great deeds of the green ox, the mountain was named “Guniujiang,” which translates to “Guniu Mountain.”
Fengjiading Village
Fengjiading is a charming small village located at the peak of the mountains in Ruokeng Township. With its beautiful ecological environment and simple folk customs, it feels like a paradise untouched by the outside world.
Traveling along the river from Ruokeng, visitors are treated to picturesque scenery and pleasant countryside views. As you ascend to the halfway point of the mountain, you can spot a large reservoir, home to the Hongqi Hydropower Station. Two mountain streams run parallel to each other, and a winding stone path meanders through the hills, exuding an ancient charm. The exposed rocks are constantly shaped by the rushing waters, creating a mesmerizing sight reminiscent of a white ribbon from a distance. On either side, shady trees and vibrant flowers create a truly picturesque landscape.
To the right of Fengjiading, at an elevation of over 1,000 meters, lies Xianyushan, which features an intriguing site that embodies historical significance. Nestled in the “saddle” area between two mountains is a stone wall, approximately 150 meters long and about 1 meter high, with a doorway that connects to a habitable area. Its resemblance to the Great Wall of China has earned it the nickname “Little Great Wall.” Originally built as an ancient defensive structure, the stone wall is now weathered and covered in green vines and weeds.
Kengkou
Kengkou, formerly known as Zhuxi and also referred to as Zhuyuan, is a picturesque village where the Wenshan River flows gently in front of the village. Ancient trees line both banks, and the reflections of the mountains and trees dance on the clear waters, creating a beautiful landscape typical of southern Anhui. The village is dotted with ancient houses featuring white walls and black tiles, enhancing the picturesque charm of the area.
Within the village, two well-preserved ancient opera stages, the Huiyuantang Ancient Opera Stage and the Duntiantang Ancient Opera Stage, date back to the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli era. These stages feature complete structures, including gatehouses, opera stages, corridors, and ancestral halls, covering a spacious area. They serve as great recreational spots for the residents of Qimen. In 1995, the filming crew of “The Great Turning Point” from the Bayi Film Studio journeyed to ancient Huizhou in search of the best filming locations and ultimately set their sights on the Huiyuantang Ancient Opera Stage, bringing this site to the attention of the public.
The houses in Kengkou are arranged in a terraced manner, creating a charming and organized layout. The village features numerous narrow alleys paved with slate, and the buildings on both sides exhibit traditional Huizhou architectural styles with their white walls and black tiles. Wandering through the ancient alleys, visitors experience a surreal feeling as if they are immersed in a beautiful painting.
Qicai Yugu (Colorful Jade Valley)
Qicai Yugu, located on the slope of Xianyu Mountain, stretches over 4,000 meters and is a candidate for one of the top photography spots in Huangshan City. According to geological studies, the valley formed approximately 340 million years ago, shaped by a combination of earthquake impacts, crustal movements, volcanic eruptions, and weathering, making it a remarkable natural wonder.
The stones in the valley primarily feature shades of reddish-brown and pure white, accented by hues of green, blue, black, and gray. The riverbed resembles a jade ribbon, adorned with vibrant and diverse gemstones that lie scattered across it, creating a stunning visual display. Continuous springs flow through the jade stones, meandering past countless clear pools, where the colorful patterns of the stones can be seen swaying beneath the water’s surface. This enchanting landscape captivates visitors with its vibrant colors and unique geological formations.
Xianyu Mountain Ancient Huizhou Road
The Xianyu Mountain Ancient Huizhou Road is a historically significant path that served as a vital transportation route from the Qing Dynasty (specifically during the reign of Qianlong) to the Republic of China period. It connected the provincial capital of Anhui, Anqing, with Huizhou and several provinces, including Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Fujian. The Qing dynasty records referred to it as the “Huizhou-Rao thoroughfare.”
This ancient road spans approximately 7.5 kilometers, starting from Xindian Village in Xianyu Town of Shitai County and extending southward to the Yuantong Monastery at Xianyu Mountain, bordering Qimen County. It is renowned for being one of the best-preserved ancient Huizhou roads in China, featuring an excellent ecological environment, stunning scenery, and significant length. Along the route, stone pavilions are constructed at regular intervals, providing travelers with places to rest or dine, ensuring a comfortable journey through this historic landscape.
Tea Garden Scenery
Qimen County boasts a forest coverage rate exceeding 85%, showcasing breathtaking natural beauty. The picturesque landscapes of Qimen are just a part of its charm, while Qimen black tea, known for its fragrant aroma and rich flavor, has gained a stellar reputation worldwide. The tea garden bases for Qimen black tea production are nestled among its stunning scenery.
Qimen black tea is regarded as one of the finest varieties of black tea, earning it the title of “Queen of Black Tea.” The production area is divided into three main regions: the area extending from Rongkou up to Houtan, the region from Shanli and Ruokeng to Zhukou, and the area from Tafang to Qihong leading to Daohu.
During the transition from spring to summer, the vast tea gardens of Qimen County, covering over a hundred thousand acres, flourish in lush greenery. Set against the backdrop of the natural environment, the tea gardens become even more enchanting, filled with the unique fragrance of Anhui’s tea. This makes it a perfect spot for photography and capturing the essence of Qimen’s tea culture.
Qimen Black Tea
Traditional Qimen black tea is crafted entirely by hand, with the quality heavily relying on the skill of the tea makers, which is why it is also referred to as Qimen Gongfu. Producing high-quality Qimen black tea requires at least ten years of experience and significant effort; without these, it is impossible to create exceptional tea.
The finished Qimen black tea is characterized by its deep, glossy color and beautiful tips. Its most captivating feature is its aroma, which has been described by tea masters both domestically and internationally as having a sugar-like sweetness or an apple fragrance, complemented by a subtle orchid scent. This unique combination has earned Qimen black tea the title of “Qimen Aroma,” and it ranks among the top three highly fragrant black teas in the world.
Visitor Guide for Qimen County
Accommodation in Qimen County
If you choose to stay within the Guniujiang Scenic Area, you can opt for Guniu Shanzhuang (牯牛山庄) located in the Guanyintang Scenic Area. From the observation platform, you can enjoy picturesque views of small bridges and flowing water. The charming wooden houses offer delicious local dishes, creating an immersive experience that feels like living in a painting. The guest rooms resemble floating boats, allowing you to enjoy a sense of freedom and relaxation that seems to come straight from the works of classic literature.
As a popular tourist destination, Qimen offers a wide range of accommodation options across various price levels. Additionally, Qimen is not far from places like Tangkou Town near Huangshan, making it a convenient choice for travelers looking for more lodging alternatives.
Cuisine in Qimen County
Qimen is rich in local cuisine, with many dishes made from ingredients sourced directly from the mountainous area. It is said that “mushrooms are picked from the front mountains, wild fruits are sought from the back mountains, roots are dug from the fields, and vegetables are harvested from the garden,” reflecting the abundance of green food available.
One of the signature dishes is Zhonghe Soup (中和汤), a traditional Qimen specialty that is a staple at local banquets. Another famous dish is Stinky Mandarin Fish (臭鳜鱼), colloquially known as “barrel fish.” This dish is so renowned that the Tang dynasty poet Zhang Zhihe famously wrote, “Peach blossom flows, and the mandarin fish are plump.”
Other notable dishes include Bamboo Shoots Stewed with Pork (黄备煮笋) and Dried Pickled Pork (干腌商烧肉), both of which are popular among locals and visitors alike. These delicious meals can be enjoyed at various restaurants and eateries throughout the area, allowing you to experience the authentic flavors of Qimen.