Dafu Mountain Forest Park (大夫山森林公园), located in the Panyu District of Guangzhou, covers an area of approximately 9,000 acres. It is surrounded by continuous mountain ranges, with Dafu Mountain standing at an elevation of 226.6 meters, making it the highest peak in Panyu. The park features various small hills and several artificial lakes, creating a picturesque landscape of undulating peaks and shimmering reflections in the water. Due to its lush greenery and clean air, it is often referred to as the “Oxygen Bar of Panyu.”
Originally known as Dawang Gang, the mountain was renamed in honor of Lu Jia, a prominent minister during the early Western Han Dynasty. At that time, the region was marked by warfare among various feudal lords vying for control, and Zhao Tuo, a general of the Qin Dynasty, established himself as the King of Nanyue in the Panyu area. Lu Jia was dispatched by Emperor Liu Bang to persuade Zhao Tuo to submit to the Han Dynasty. Utilizing his eloquence and understanding of principles, Lu Jia successfully convinced Zhao Tuo to accept the authority of the Han court, which led to Zhao Tuo being appointed as the King of Nanyue.
Over a span of 17 years, Lu Jia made several trips to Nanyue, advocating for unity and contributing significantly to the stability of the region. This historical account has become a cherished tale among the people of Nanyue, and in the city of Guangzhou, sculptures at the Chen Family Ancestral Hall commemorate this story. Today, Dafu Mountain features landmarks such as Dafu Pavilion and Dafu Academy, celebrating its rich history and cultural significance.
Local legends suggest two reasons for the mountain’s name change: one states that Lu Jia was buried there after his death, though historical records do not confirm this; another suggests that while traveling to persuade Zhao Tuo, Lu Jia discovered a sweet spring at the mountain when his horse was thirsty, leading the locals to name the area Dafu Mountain and the spring “Drinking Horse Spring.”
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-84801183 |
Location and Transportation
Dafu Mountain Forest Park is located at No. 668 Yushan West Road, Hengjiang Village, Shatou Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. To get there, you can take bus 288, 312, Pan 100, Pan 109, Pan 125, Pan 15, or Pan 97 and get off at Dafu Mountain North Gate Stop (大夫山北门站).
