Tengchong, called “Tengyue” in ancient times, is a land shaped by volcanic magma where beautiful and tempting scenery can be seen everywhere. As an important gateway to the Southwest Silk Road, Tengchong was once one of political, economic, military, and cultural centers of western Yunnan as well as a battleground for military strategists. Located in unique geographical environment, its various beautiful natural views are like artworks carved by many skillful deities. In order to well introduce Tengyue, people in ancient times sorted out and summarized typical scenic sites and compiled them in songs, represented by a song named “Twelve Scenes of Teng Yue” written by Mr. Du Sen. This song, widely spread among the folk at that time, is still popular nowadays. Transcripts of “Twelve Scenes of Teng Yue” are presented as follows.

Mist on Laifeng Mountain

Night and Moon in Yuquan 

Afterglow on Maitreya

Longsong Mountain Shrouded in Cloud and Mist

A Hot Sea

Tri-fold Ladder

Dadong Hot Spring

Half Pavilion Flowing Water

Water Curtain in Dragon Cave

Holy Shrine

Snow on Peaks

Rainbow above Mountain

      Among them, “Longsong Mountain Shrouded in Cloud and Mist” is one of unique scenic sites in the Tengchong Beihai Wetland Scenic Area.

      Longsong Mountains refer to two large mountains directly opposite the Tengchong Beihai Wetland Scenic Area, and 12 kilometers away from the county seat with the elevation of 2873 meters. In the Ming Dynasty, a temple, named “Chaoyun Temple, was built on one of thetop of Longsong Mountains (the temple was moved to the mountainside after a thunder fire swept the hall). When Xu Xiake, a great geographer, traveler and writer travelled to Tengyue, he chose to stay at this temple, which was recorded in detail in his travel notes. Li Genyuan, a veteran of the Republic of China, left an inscription           “Longsongzhaoyun” (Longsong Mountain Shrouded in Cloud and Mist). Nowadays, his calligraphy is still completely preserved in a stone monument of the temple. In ancient years, this temple received many literati and sages who left calligraphy work for remembrance. These sacred treasures, though going through the vicissitudes of life, witnessing the rise and fall of Tengchong culture, have become revered by visitors.

High as the Longsong Mountain shrouded with thick fog and the sky seemed so low.

People’s sight was blocked by Ridge Village and flower petals falling on their horseshoe.

No sunshine shed on the ancient temple in the early morning but only clouds and mist cover cliff.

This is the way the world goes, all of which is finally changed into floating clouds and fly away.