Life of Guangzhou - Panyu Lianhua Mountain

The landmark Lianhua Pagoda

Panyu Lianhua Mountain is a time-honored resort. On the top of the mountain stands Lianhua Pagoda. Built in 1612, it was once an important landmark for Western travelers. The entire mountain area, which was an ancient quarry, is marked by a rare geological wonder—the Danxia (meaning "red cloud" in Chinese) topography.

Besides its many cultural attractions, nowadays Lianhua Mountain is also well-known for its annual lotus festival, when over 100,000 lotuses are in full bloom. Among these varieties, there are local lotus flowers as well as others from Japan, America, Australia, even lotuses that have traveled into outer space.

Over the lotus pond sits a huge Bodhisattva Guanyin statue. Together, the Bodhisattva statue and the sweeping lotus blossoms create a Buddhist Sukhavati, illustrating the ancient influence of the lotus on Chinese culture and religion.

A picture taken at the annual lotus festival

Add: Lianhua (Lotus) Mountain, Panyu District, Guangzhou
Transportation: Take the bus towarding Panyu Lotus Hill Town (番禺莲花山镇)at Panyu Bus Terminal (番禺汽车总站). It would cost you ranging 2 Yuan to 4 Yuan. And it would take you about 15 minutes on foot to the gate of Lotus Hill Mountain after you arrive at Lotus Hill Town.

(By Yang Quanquan, Luna Yang and Stephen Roach)