Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area is located at the southern foot of the middle section of the Dabie Mountains, at the junction of Hubei, Henan, and Anhui provinces. It is under the administration of Guishan Town, Macheng City, Huanggang City, Hubei Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, the core park of the Dabie Mountains UNESCO Global Geopark, and a national eco-tourism demonstration zone. The scenic area has a total planned area of 73.8 square kilometers and is composed of nine peaks, including the magical Turtle Head, the majestic Turtle Back, and the lifelike Turtle Tail. It is named for its resemblance to a divine turtle holding its head high and swallowing the sun, with its highest elevation reaching 1,320 meters. The area has clear mountains and waters, and its forest coverage rate is as high as 95%, with a high negative oxygen ion content. It enjoys the reputation of a "green treasure house" and a "natural oxygen bar."
Historical Culture
Guifeng Mountain has a long history and profound cultural heritage. According to legend, Wu and Chu once fought here in the late Spring and Autumn Period, Cao Cao practiced troops here in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and Niu Zhen set up camp here in the early Southern Song Dynasty. This is also a revolutionary sacred site. During the Agrarian Revolutionary War and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Red Army and the New Fourth Army both operated here. During the War of Liberation, the troops led by Li Xiannian and Zhang Tixue were stationed in a cave at the foot of the mountain.
Guifeng Mountain is rich in cultural resources. In ancient times, the great writer Cao Cao personally visited the Turtle Head and wrote famous lines. In modern times, in 1958, Dong Biwu inspected Guifeng Mountain and wrote a poem: "Once a guerrilla base, now a tea-producing area. Guifeng's name has long been renowned; Guling's virtue is not isolated. Brilliant red flowers surpass all; lush green grass spreads everywhere. This mountain hides treasures; move forward without hesitation."
In addition, Guifeng Mountain has many folk legends, adding mystery to it. For example, Renji Stone is said to be the site where the Tang Dynasty monk Zhenying "entered nirvana while standing," and Qipan Stone is said to be the site where the Old Man of the South Pole and the Old Man of the North Pole played chess.
Main Attractions
Turtle Head
Turtle Head, also known as "Longevity Summit," is a mountain formed by a huge exposed granite rock, with an elevation of 1,260 meters. Its divine form closely resembles a ten-thousand-year-old giant turtle raising its head and asking the heavens, and it is known as "the Number One Turtle under Heaven." Those who often climb the Turtle Head are said to absorb the spiritual energy of the divine turtle, gain courage, and extend their lifespan. From the Turtle Head, one can overlook the majestic mountains, verdant everywhere, surrounded by mountain ranges, with a momentum that seems to swallow the sky and chase the sun.
Ten-Thousand-Mu Azalea Sea
The Azalea Sea is located at Turtle Back Ridge in the Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area. The azalea is the city flower of Macheng City. Here there is an ancient azalea community covering more than 100,000 mu in contiguous area and with a growth cycle of millions of years. It is the world's largest ancient azalea (mountain azalea) community. Every April and May, azaleas bloom all over the mountains and plains, with brilliant colors and beautiful blossoms, leaving people awestruck.
Azalea Exhibition Garden
The garden displays a rich variety of azaleas and is a great place to learn about azalea culture and appreciate fine azalea specimens. It provides visitors with a platform to observe azaleas up close and allows people to gain a deeper understanding of azalea species, growth habits, and related knowledge.
Guifeng Gorge
The gorge features murmuring streams, beautiful scenery on both banks, deep valleys, and dense forests. It is a place full of natural wild charm. Strolling along the gorge, visitors can feel the fresh air and tranquil atmosphere, enjoy the unique gorge scenery, and experience the uncanny workmanship of nature.
Anti-Japanese War Site
This was an important site during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It preserves many relics and stories related to the war and is an important base for patriotic education and the inheritance of red culture, allowing people to remember history and honor the martyrs.
Dabie Mountains Spirit Red Culture Exhibition Hall
Through rich pictures, texts, physical objects, and other materials, the hall displays the revolutionary history of the Dabie Mountains region and the profound connotations of the Dabie Mountains Spirit. It vividly reproduces the heroic deeds and arduous struggles of the revolutionary forebears, allowing visitors to gain an in-depth understanding of red culture and receive spiritual baptism.
Suggested Tour Routes：
One-day tour: Visitor Center → Azalea Square → Azalea Sea → Turtle Head → Guifeng Lake → Return. This route allows visitors to experience the main attractions of Guifeng Mountain in one day, appreciate the spectacular azalea sea and the peculiar Turtle Head landscape, and also enjoy the lake and mountain scenery of Guifeng Lake.
Two-day tour: On the first day, Visitor Center → Azalea Exhibition Garden → Guifeng Gorge → Anti-Japanese War Site → Check in at Guifeng Inn and experience a distinctive homestay. On the second day, Turtle Head → Ten-Thousand-Mu Azalea Sea → Dabie Mountains Spirit Red Culture Exhibition Hall → International Outdoor Sports Guigu. This arrangement allows for a deeper tour of the scenic area, not only enjoying natural landscapes but also fully understanding the site's red culture and history, while having more time to enjoy the scenic area's leisure facilities and services.
Travel Tips：
If you want to view the azalea sea, it is recommended to go from mid-April to mid-May, when the azaleas are in full bloom and the scenery is most spectacular.
There are many mountain roads in the scenic area. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes to make climbing easier.
When visiting in summer, take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures. Also, because the temperature on the mountain is lower, it is best to bring a jacket.
You can choose a suitable tour route according to your time and stamina to avoid an overly tight schedule. If you have enough time, you might as well stay one night in a homestay in the scenic area and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the mountains.
Notes：
Observe the scenic area's regulations and do not damage the environment or facilities at will.
Pay attention to safety when climbing, walk along designated routes, and do not deviate from the path to avoid danger.
When viewing the azalea sea, do not trample on the flowers. Take photos in a civilized manner and protect the natural landscape.
Signals in some areas of the scenic area may not be very good. Inform family or friends of your itinerary in advance so they can contact you.
Pay attention to the scenic area's opening and closing times, arrange your visit reasonably, and avoid missing tour items.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From Wuhan, you can reach Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area via the Wuying Expressway, Huwu Expressway, Wuma Expressway, etc.; from Shanghai, you can go via Wuning Road, Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, Huwu Expressway, etc.; from Nanchang, you can arrive via Changjiu Expressway, Hangrui Expressway, etc.; from Zhengzhou, you can arrive via Airport Expressway, Shangdeng Expressway, Anluo Expressway, etc.
Train: You can first arrive at Macheng North Station or Macheng Station, then transfer within Macheng City to a dedicated passenger bus to the scenic area.
Plane: You can first arrive at Wuhan Tianhe Airport, then take a dedicated shuttle bus to Guifeng Mountain Scenic Area. Advance reservation is required.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area usually opens from 08:30 to 17:30. However, the specific opening hours may also change due to factors such as seasons and weather. In case of severe weather or special circumstances, the scenic area may temporarily adjust its opening hours. Visitors are advised to consult the scenic area in advance before traveling.
Tickets：
Ticket: 90 yuan per person (including the scenic area shuttle bus).