Sanbaishan Scenic Area is located in Anyuan County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national-level scenic area, a national forest park, and one of the first national ecological education demonstration bases for protecting the Mother River. The total area of the scenic area is 197 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 58 square kilometers. It is composed of five major scenic areas: Fu'ao Pond, Jiuqu Stream, Dongfeng Lake, Yangtian Lake, and Sandie Pool. Sanbaishan is the source of the East River and is known as the "Source of the East River." Its main features include "primeval forests, canyon waterfalls, alpine lakes, and volcanic landforms." The forest coverage rate reaches 98%, and the negative oxygen ion content in the air is as high as 70,000 per cubic centimeter, making it a natural "oxygen bar." There are 1,039 species of plants in 271 families and more than 400 species of wild animals in the scenic area, including national first-class protected animals such as clouded leopards and golden leopards. The ecological environment is extremely superior, making it a comprehensive scenic area integrating ecological sightseeing, leisure vacations, science education, and ancestral roots pilgrimage.
History and Culture
The historical culture of Sanbaishan is closely connected with Hakka culture, and it is one of the important birthplaces of the Hakka people. As early as the Neolithic Age, ancestors lived and multiplied here. The ancient village sites and Hakka enclosed houses discovered in the scenic area bear witness to the migration and development of the Hakka ancestors.
As an important water source for Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region, the East River, with Sanbaishan as its source, carries deep emotions of "remembering the source when drinking water." In the 1990s, to commemorate the return of Hong Kong, the "Siyuan Treasure Tripod" was built in Sanbaishan, symbolizing the blood connection between Jiangxi and Hong Kong and becoming a witness to cooperation and friendship between the two places.
The ancient post road in the scenic area was an important passage for the southward migration of the Hakka ancestors in history, preserving many cliff inscriptions, ancient bridges, post stations, and other relics. Among them, the "Jiuqu Stream Ancient Post Road" is about 5 kilometers long, paved with bluestone slabs, with tea pavilions, beacon towers, and other facilities along the way. It is important physical material for studying Hakka migration history and ancient transportation. In addition, the local Hakka folk culture is rich, such as Hakka folk songs, tea-picking opera, and Hakka wedding customs, which are still inherited and developed today and have become an important part of the cultural landscape of Sanbaishan.
Main Attractions
Fu'ao Pond
Fu'ao Pond is the core scenic area of Sanbaishan and the location of the source of the East River, with an area of about 3 square kilometers. There is a natural lake here, with a lake surface elevation of 650 meters and a water area of about 100 mu. The lake water is clear to the bottom, surrounded by mountains and dense forests. There is a small island in the lake shaped like a giant turtle, hence the name "Fu'ao Pond." The "Siyuan Treasure Tripod" by the lake is 6.68 meters high and weighs 9.9 tons. It is cast in bronze, with the four characters "Drink Water, Remember the Source" engraved on its body, and it is a landmark landscape of the scenic area. Walking down along the plank road from Fu'ao Pond, visitors can enjoy the "First Waterfall of the East River" — Fu'ao Pond Waterfall. The waterfall is nearly 120 meters high and about 20 meters wide. The water pours down from the cliff, magnificent and surrounded by mist, making it one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Sanbaishan.
Jiuqu Stream
Jiuqu Stream Scenic Area is characterized by canyon scenery and stream landscapes. It is about 10 kilometers long and is named because the stream winds like nine bends. On both sides of the stream are steep cliffs, ancient trees reaching the sky, and tangled vines, forming natural landscapes such as "One-Line Sky" and "Three-Tier Spring." There are many deep pools along the way, such as "Dragon Pool" and "Mandarin Duck Pool." The pool water is emerald green and clear to the bottom. Visitors can take bamboo raft drifting and experience the pleasure of "the boat traveling in the water, the person sitting in a painting." The Jiuqu Stream Ancient Post Road was built along the stream and is the area with the most concentrated historical and cultural relics in the scenic area. Strolling along it, visitors can feel the integration of Hakka culture and natural landscapes.
Dongfeng Lake
Dongfeng Lake is a man-made lake built in 1972, with a lake surface area of 11 square kilometers and a storage capacity of 115 million cubic meters. There are 37 islands in the lake, well arranged, and the shoreline is winding and more than 40 kilometers long. There is a cruise terminal in the scenic area. Visitors can take a cruise to tour the lake and enjoy the magnificent scene of "a calm lake emerging from a high gorge." Around the lake shore are pictographic peaks such as "Guanyin Giving a Child" and "Divine Turtle Testing the Water," which are vivid and lifelike. The "General Rock" by the lake is about 50 meters high and looks like a general in armor and helmet guarding the peace of Dongfeng Lake. It is one of the landmark landscapes of Dongfeng Lake.
Yangtian Lake
Yangtian Lake is located near the main peak of Sanbaishan, at an altitude of 1,169 meters. It is an alpine lake with an area of about 40 mu. It is named because the lake surface is broad and blends with the sky when looking up. Around the lake are alpine meadows and primeval forests. In summer, the green grass is like a carpet, and in winter, it is covered in silver, with different scenery in each season. Yangtian Lake is an excellent place to watch the sunrise and enjoy the sea of clouds. In the early morning, the lake surface is shrouded in mist, and the distant mountains loom in the sea of clouds, just like a fairyland. There is an observation deck and camping base by the lake. Visitors can camp and picnic here and experience the pleasure of alpine leisure.
Sandie Pool
Sandie Pool Scenic Area is mainly characterized by waterfalls and pool landscapes. It is named because there are three-level waterfalls connected with three deep pools. The first-level waterfall is about 30 meters high, and the water impact forms "Qinglong Pool"; the second-level waterfall is about 20 meters high, corresponding to "Bailong Pool"; the third-level waterfall is about 15 meters high, forming "Wulong Pool." The total drop of the three-level waterfalls is about 65 meters. The water is clear, the pools are deep and secluded, and the surroundings are shaded by green trees, creating a quiet environment. The plank road in the scenic area is built along the waterfalls and pools. Visitors can enjoy the waterfall scenery up close and feel the uncanny workmanship of nature.
Food
Anyuan Three-Fresh Rice Noodles
Anyuan Three-Fresh Rice Noodles is the most representative local specialty snack. It uses rice noodles as the main ingredient and is paired with three fresh ingredients: lean meat, pork liver, and small intestine, hence the name "Three-Fresh Rice Noodles." The rice noodles are made from local indica rice and have a smooth and chewy texture; the soup is slowly stewed with pork bones and is fragrant and rich; chopped scallions, chili, and other seasonings are added, making the taste delicious. It can be tasted in breakfast shops in Anyuan County and around Sanbaishan Scenic Area. The price is about 8-15 yuan per bowl, and it is a must-choice food for visitors to experience local flavor.
Hakka Stuffed Tofu
Hakka Stuffed Tofu is a traditional Hakka famous dish and a common dish in restaurants around Sanbaishan. Local tender tofu is cut into small pieces, hollowed out in the middle, and filled with stuffing made from minced pork, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, ginger, and so on. It is then fried until golden on both sides and simmered with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and other seasonings. The stuffed tofu is fragrant outside and tender inside, and the stuffing is delicious, reflecting the characteristics of Hakka cuisine: "fresh, fragrant, and salty." The price is about 30-40 yuan per portion, and it is a typical representative of Hakka food culture.
Sanbaishan Cured Meat
Sanbaishan Cured Meat is made from local free-range black pigs and processed through traditional techniques such as curing, air-drying, and smoking. The cured meat is bright red in color, firm in texture, salty and fragrant, and fatty but not greasy. It can be steamed or stir-fried. Common dishes include cured meat with winter bamboo shoots and steamed cured meat with taro. It can be tasted in farmhouse restaurants around the scenic area. The price is about 50-70 yuan per portion. It is a traditional local winter food and an important dish at Hakka banquets.
Dining in and around the Scenic Area
Dining outlets are set up in the visitor center and service areas of various attractions in Sanbaishan Scenic Area, providing simple meals, stir-fried dishes, snacks, and so on, mainly Hakka cuisine and home-style dishes, such as steamed fish, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and native chicken soup. The per capita consumption is about 40-60 yuan. Restaurants in Anyuan County have more local specialty dishes, such as Anyuan navel orange cake, Hakka stuffed three treasures, and yellow rice cake. The per capita consumption is about 30-50 yuan. Farmhouses around the scenic area can provide farm dishes, and the ingredients are mostly local vegetables and poultry, fresh and natural. The per capita consumption is about 50-80 yuan. Some farmhouses also provide self-service barbecue and other services.
Tickets：
Package ticket: 150 yuan per person (including admission and cableway).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "Anyuan Sanbaishan Scenic Area" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are 8:00-17:30 (April 1-October 31); 8:30-17:00 (November 1-next March 31). The operating hours of sightseeing buses in the scenic area are consistent with the opening hours of the scenic area. The last return trip of the sightseeing bus is at 17:30 (peak season) and 17:00 (off-season).
Tour Routes：
One-Day Tour Route (Core Attractions)
Starting from the visitor center of the scenic area, take the sightseeing bus to Fu'ao Pond Scenic Area (about 20 minutes), and visit Fu'ao Pond, Siyuan Treasure Tripod, and Fu'ao Pond Waterfall (about 2 hours); then take the sightseeing bus to Jiuqu Stream Scenic Area, take a bamboo raft drift (about 1.5 hours), and stroll along the Jiuqu Stream Ancient Post Road (about 1 hour); have lunch at Jiuqu Stream Restaurant (about 1 hour); in the afternoon, take the sightseeing bus to Sandie Pool Scenic Area, visit the three-level waterfalls and deep pools (about 1.5 hours), and finally return to the visitor center. The whole journey is about 7-8 hours, suitable for tourists with limited time who want to visit the core attractions.
Two-Day Tour Route (In-Depth Experience)
Day 1: Visit Fu'ao Pond Scenic Area and Jiuqu Stream Scenic Area (route as above, about 6 hours). In the evening, go to Dongfeng Lake Scenic Area, take a cruise to tour the lake scenery (about 1.5 hours), and stay in a homestay around Dongfeng Lake. Day 2: In the morning, take the sightseeing bus to Yangtian Lake Scenic Area, enjoy the alpine lake scenery, watch the sunrise (if weather conditions permit), and hike on the meadow (about 2.5 hours). Have lunch at Yangtian Lake Service Area (about 1 hour). In the afternoon, visit Sandie Pool Scenic Area (about 1.5 hours), and then return. The whole journey allows a comprehensive experience of the diverse landscapes of the scenic area, suitable for leisure vacation tourists.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From Ganzhou, take Xiarong Expressway to Ganzhou East Hub, transfer to Jiguang Expressway, then transfer to Xunquan Expressway, exit at Anyuan, and go to Sanbaishan Scenic Area along S223 Provincial Road. The drive takes about 2.5 hours. From Ruijin, take Jiguang Expressway, transfer to Xunquan Expressway, exit at Anyuan. The drive takes about 2 hours. From Guangzhou, take Daguang Expressway, transfer to Xunquan Expressway, exit at Anyuan. The drive takes about 4.5 hours. The parking fee in the scenic area is 10 yuan per day for small vehicles and 20 yuan per day for large vehicles.
High-speed rail/train: Take the high-speed rail to Ganzhou West Station. After leaving the station, transfer to the Ganzhou-Anyuan bus, get off at Anyuan County Bus Station, and then transfer to the Anyuan-Sanbaishan bus line. The journey takes about 1 hour, and the fare is 15 yuan per person. The bus line operates from 8:00 to 17:00, one bus per hour.
Tourist line: Ganzhou Tourist Distribution Center has a direct tourist line to Sanbaishan Scenic Area, two buses daily, departing at 7:30 and 8:30. The journey takes about 2.5 hours, and the ticket price is 60 yuan per person (round trip). It can be booked in advance on the official website of Ganzhou Tourist Distribution Center.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Fu'ao Pond: The core area of the source of the East River, with the Siyuan Treasure Tripod and the 120-meter-high Fu'ao Pond Waterfall. It is a landmark landscape of the scenic area, where visitors can feel the cultural connotation of "remembering the source when drinking water."
Jiuqu Stream Bamboo Raft Drifting: The 10-kilometer-long Jiuqu Stream is winding and twisting. Taking a bamboo raft drift allows visitors to enjoy canyon scenery and experience the pleasure of "traveling on green waves," while also seeing ancient post road relics along the way.
Dongfeng Lake Cruise: The 11-square-kilometer lake surface is dotted with 37 islands. Taking a cruise allows visitors to enjoy the high gorge and calm lake landscape, appreciate pictographic peaks such as "Guanyin Giving a Child," and feel the beauty of lakes and mountains.
Travel Suggestions：
The best seasons for visiting are April-May (bright spring and lush vegetation) and September-October (clear autumn and pleasant climate). Summer temperatures are relatively high, so sun protection and heatstroke prevention are needed. In winter, some sections may have frost, so non-slip shoes are recommended.
The scenic area is large, and the distance between attractions is relatively far. It is recommended to buy a sightseeing bus ticket (50 yuan per person, all-day pass) to save energy. When hiking, wear comfortable sports shoes. Some plank roads are steep, so pay attention to safety.
Jiuqu Stream bamboo raft drifting is greatly affected by weather. It is recommended to check the weather forecast before departure. Drifting in rainy days requires attention to safety. Bamboo raft tickets can be booked in advance on the official website of the scenic area to avoid queuing on site.
Visitors who want to watch the sunrise at Yangtian Lake are advised to stay in a homestay around Yangtian Lake in advance. The homestay price is about 200-400 yuan per night and needs to be booked in advance. The morning temperature is relatively low, so warm clothing should be brought.
Precautions：
Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area. Carrying fire sources into forest areas is strictly prohibited. Picking plants and harming wild animals are strictly prohibited. Protecting the ecological environment is the responsibility of every visitor.
When hiking, walk along designated routes. Do not enter undeveloped areas without authorization. Mobile phone signal is weak in some sections. It is recommended to travel in groups and keep in touch with companions.
When drifting on the Jiuqu Stream bamboo raft, wear a life jacket and follow the raftman's instructions. Do not stand or walk around on the raft. Keep personal belongings safe to avoid falling into the water.
Dining prices in the scenic area are relatively high. Visitors may appropriately bring dry food and drinking water. When buying local specialties, it is recommended to choose regular shops and confirm prices before purchasing.
Heavy rain in summer may cause mountain floods and other natural disasters. The scenic area may temporarily close some attractions. It is recommended to check official notices from the scenic area before departure and arrange the itinerary reasonably.