Huaiyuan County 怀远县

History

Local tradition ties the county to Yu the Great (大禹), the legendary flood-tamer. The county government writes that the Tushan state (涂山氏国) stood here, that Yu married a woman of the Tushan clan, and that he summoned the lords of the realm to a village at the southern foot of Mount Tu, later called Yuhui village (禹会村), dating the gathering to 2030 BC.

Because two hills pinch the Huai here and two rivers meet, the county government describes the area as a place armies fought over in every era, and especially when China was split between north and south. In 1257 the Southern Song set up the Huaiyuan military prefecture (怀远军) on both banks of the river, which gave the place its name; in 1291 the Yuan merged it with Jingshan County (荆山县) to form Huaiyuan County. The county came under Bengbu in July 1983.

What to see

Both hills belong to the Tushan–Baiquan scenic area (涂山—白乳泉风景名胜区). On the summit of Mount Tu stands the Palace of Yu (禹王宫), a Taoist temple also called the Tushan Shrine (涂山祠); the Anhui provincial gazetteer records a Taoist tradition that the Han founder Liu Bang (刘邦) ordered a temple to Yu built there. Legend holds that Yu's wife stood on Mount Tu watching for his return until she turned to stone, the Wangfu Rock (望夫石).

The county's 2026 plan for the Mount Jing section links a statue of Yu, the Baiquan spring (白乳泉), the Sanhuang Temple (三皇庙), the Dasheng Temple (大圣寺) and Bianhe Cave (卞和洞), where legend says Bian He (卞和) sheltered from rain while carrying his famous jade to court.

Food and local products

The county government lists Huaiyuan as one of China's four main pomegranate-growing areas, and Huaiyuan pomegranates and Bailianpo tribute rice (白莲坡贡米) carry national geographical-indication status. At its intangible-heritage markets the county sells Heliu small bean pancakes (河溜小豆饼), Huaiyuan whole chicken (怀远烧全鸡) and Longkang Huanfu vinegar (龙亢桓傅食醋).

Qianhe Lake (芡河湖), a natural lake 4 kilometres south-west of the county town, is known for whitebait (银鱼), netted in June and September. The Huai king fish (淮王鱼), a scaleless yellow fish, is caught at the Jingshan gorge (荆山峡口) of the Huai; it is braised, stir-fried or steamed.

Highlights

• Mount Tu 涂山: Hill on the Huai tied to the legend of Yu the Great, with the Taoist Palace of Yu on its summit.
• Baiquan spring 白乳泉: Spring on Mount Jing, part of the Tushan–Baiquan scenic area.
• Bianhe Cave 卞和洞: Cave where Bian He is said to have sheltered while taking his jade to court.
• Heliu small bean pancakes 河溜小豆饼: Sold at the county's intangible-heritage markets.
• Qianhe Lake whitebait 芡河银鱼: Small translucent fish from a natural lake south-west of the county town, netted in June and September.