| Lianhua Hill (Lotus Hill) | |||||||||||||
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 TheWestern Han dynasty quarries in Lotus Hill | |||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 莲花山 | ||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 蓮花山 | ||||||||||||
| Postal | Linfa Hill | ||||||||||||
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Lotus Hill orLianhuashan (Chinese:莲花山;pinyin:Liánhuā Shān) is ahill inPanyu,Guangzhou,Guangdong, China, withShizi Lake to the west. It covers an area of 2.33 square kilometres (0.90 sq mi) and has a peak 108 metres (354 ft) above sea level. It is 30 km (19 mi) from the city ofGuangzhou proper and 60 nautical miles fromHong Kong. It is now a 4A-level national park.
The hill's name comes from the legend of a vicious dragon in the South Sea who raised winds and waves in thePearl River estuary flooding lands and capsizing boats, causing the local people to suffer.[1] Mother Buddha came by and was furious at the dragon's behavior. She threw her lotus on which she sat into the water, thus the evil dragon was brought under control and the lotus turned into a mountain many years later. Hence its name — Lotus Hill.[2]
Lotus Hill is noted for itsWestern Han dynasty quarry which formed steep cliffs, alcoves, and other fantastic scenes.
There are two major activities in this area. One is the Lotus Festival which is celebrated annually from June to August. It is a grand gathering of lotus when more than 100 species are exhibited. The other is Peach Blossom Festival which is observed during the spring when the whole mountain is swathed in a blossom of pink flowers.
22°58′44″N113°30′16″E / 22.9789°N 113.5045°E /22.9789; 113.5045