Dashi Ancient Village, Lotus Pond and Flower Sea

In the scorching heat of summer, nothing is more soothing and delightful than a lotus pond—its fragrance refreshing, the croaking of frogs melodious, and the moonlight enchanting. Unable to resist, I decided to find a place not too far away for a spontaneous getaway. Dashi Ancient Village is located at the foot of Tongtianzhai Mountain, a national 4A-level scenic spot in Shicheng County, Ganzhou, Jiangxi. The village boasts crimson cliffs and emerald waters, ancient trees and old houses, and endless lotus ponds. It’s a stunning little village, perfect for immersing yourself in during the sweltering summer days. From Zhanggong District in Ganzhou to Dashi Village in Shicheng County, it’s about 220 kilometers, roughly a 2.5-hour drive. Preferring a relaxed and leisurely trip, we opted for the train instead of driving. Departing from Ganzhou Railway Station, the journey took 2 hours and 42 minutes to reach Shicheng East Station. The village is just 4.4 kilometers from the train station, so a quick taxi ride got us there. We checked directly into the "Shicheng Lotus Pond Homestay (Lotus Pond Night Stay)" by the pond. The homestay is small but spacious, clean, and tidy. Behind the house are golden rice fields, and right outside the window lies the breathtaking view of "endless green lotus leaves under the sky and uniquely red lotus flowers under the sun," along with the striking red sandstone peak of Tongtianzhai Mountain, seemingly within reach—a truly wonderful feeling. By 4 p.m., the sun was still blazing, so we abandoned our plan to hike Tongtianzhai for sunset (no regrets, as I’d seen the sunrise there years ago). Instead, we strolled around the village, visited the ancient opera garden, explored the 200-year-old historic building "Nanlu House," and browsed the Lotus Flower Museum. Then, it was all about snapping photos in the vast lotus ponds. Under the glow of the setting sun, the endless lotus fields were radiant and dreamy, making it hard to leave. Dinner was at a small restaurant called "Lotus Garden Farmhouse." Though modest in size, the dishes were generous and delicious. While eating, we met a lively, adorable little girl who was incredibly outgoing. Seeing me on my phone, she grabbed it and my watch, directing me to strike various poses while taking photos of me—even calling this old grandpa "brother," leaving me both embarrassed and amused while my wife laughed uncontrollably. After dinner, we took a walk along the pondside paths, counted stars from the pavilion in the lotus pond, bathed in the gentle breeze, inhaled the lotus fragrance, and listened to the chorus of frogs—utterly refreshing, with no thought of returning. Early the next morning, I jumped out of bed and headed straight to the lotus pond for a photo session. Hundreds of acres of lotus ponds, with countless varieties of lotuses—some vibrant, others elegant, each uniquely beautiful—stood tall and graceful, a feast for the eyes. The central area of the lotus garden was divided by small paths, allowing us to wander through the flower sea, getting up close with the lotuses. "The lotus leaves stretch so lush, I play among them"—an absolutely fantastic experience. At noon, we left Dashi Village for the train station. Before leaving, we bought some fresh handmade lotus seeds from Uncle Yin’s house next to the homestay. With taxis hard to find, Uncle Yin kindly insisted on driving us to the station in his electric tricycle for free, which deeply moved us. Dashi Village is scenic, with simple and honest locals, yet few tourists—quiet and tidy. If you have the time, it’s perfect for a few days of unwinding, letting your mind find peace and tranquility. Over the past few years, I’ve visited Dashi Village three times, each experience unique yet equally wonderful. Perhaps one day, when the lotuses are in full bloom, we’ll return.