Three Mountains of Zhenjiang (Jinshan · Jiaoshan · Beigu Mountain) Scenic Area

The Three Mountains of Zhenjiang (Jinshan · Jiaoshan · Beigu Mountain) Scenic Area is a national scenic spot and a AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

Zhenjiang is located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River in central Jiangsu Province. It is an ancient city in the Jiangnan region with a long history, featuring numerous historical sites and stunning natural landscapes. Among its most famous attractions are the "Three Mountains of Jingkou" (also known as the Three Mountains of Zhenjiang): Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigu Mountain.

Jinshan was originally a small island in the river, but now stands as a solitary hill along the water’s edge. Jinshan Temple was first built during the Jin Dynasty. Its unique architectural style sees the temple built against the mountain, with halls and corridors connected one after another, and pavilions and towers stacked layer upon layer. From afar, only the temples and halls are visible, not the rocky mountain, hence the saying “the temple wraps around the mountain.”

There are countless scenic spots and historical sites on Jinshan, found almost everywhere. The exquisite and delicate Cishou Pagoda stands atop the northwest peak of Jinshan, standing 30 meters tall. It complements the entire mountain and temple perfectly, seemingly elevating the height of the mountain itself. The brick-and-wood pagoda allows passage both up and down, with corridors and railings on all eight sides of each level, offering ventilation from every angle and views from every direction, with each floor presenting different scenery. As the Song Dynasty poet Wang Anshi wrote: “Multiple tiers of towers rest upon layered heights, / Windows on four walls catch breezes from every sight. / Suddenly I see birds flying o’er flat land below, / And start to realize I’m floating mid-air though.” Other attractions such as the Lengjia Terrace, Miaogaotai, Guanyin Pavilion, Fahai Cave, Ancient Immortal Cave, and Ancient White Dragon Cave are all carved into the rock face, following the contours of the mountain. Their ingenious designs showcase the remarkable wisdom and exceptional artistry of their builders. The Qing Dynasty poet and artist Zhang Chuanshan wrote in his poem “Crossing the River in Snow on the Sixteenth Day”: “An old friend sends word to invite me near, / A boat cuts swift across the stream so clear. / Strong wine melts snow on Jingkou unseen, / A sail presses down on tides at Haimen green. / Yangzhou’s lights can’t rival moonlight bright, / Suzhou’s songs leave but flutes here in flight. / Let winds and waves rage o’er thousands of miles, / Two lotuses fair—Jinshan and Jiaoshan smiles.” Here, Jinshan is likened to a beautiful lotus flower.

Jiaoshan is situated in the middle of the Yangtze River. The main structure on Jiaoshan is Dinghui Temple. The mountain is covered in lush trees, and the temple is hidden within the dense forest, hence the saying “the mountain wraps around the temple.” There are many precious stone inscriptions, with over 260 embedded in the walls of Baomo Pavilion. The calligraphy styles seen throughout the Jiaoshan Stele Forest include regular script, cursive, seal, and official scripts—treasures that abound like a forest. Therefore, Jiaoshan is also known as the “Mountain of Calligraphy.”

Jiaoshan boasts four treasured “ancient” features. The ancient temple (Dinghui Temple) is a Ming Dynasty structure, with its main buildings featuring green tiles and red railings, exuding an air of classic elegance. The ancient trees (including cypresses from the Six Dynasties, scholar trees from the Song Dynasty, and ginkgoes from the Ming Dynasty) mostly take on twisted, ancient, and uniquely shaped forms, scattered along the mountainside, by the waterside, in front of the temple, and behind it, adding a serene, deep, verdant hue to the mountain and temple, making it a perfect resting place for visitors. In addition, there are also ancient stone inscriptions and cliff engravings that are famous worldwide.

Beigu Mountain, known as the “Foremost Scenic Wonder Under Heaven.” Located northeast of Zhenjiang, the mountain has three peaks, with the northern peak surrounded by the river on three sides. With its steep and majestic cliffs, the area is strategically important, hence the name Beigu (Northern Solidity). Emperor Wu of Liang once climbed this mountain and inscribed the six characters “Foremost Scenic Wonder Under Heaven.” Gazing into the distance from here, one can truly appreciate the aptness of the ancient verse: “Jinshan and Jiaoshan seem small, / While the river divides Wu and Chu.” Beigu Mountain is famed for its steepness and has been celebrated through the ages due to stories from the Three Kingdoms period. Its main peak borders the great river, with precipitous terrain. The Ganlu Temple sits atop the peak, creating the distinctive feature of a “temple crowning the mountain.” The pavilions, terraces, mountain rocks, and streams here are all tied to historical legends such as the Sun-Liu alliance during the Three Kingdoms era, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking traces of that historic period.

Zhenjiang is rich in tourism resources. The famous Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigu Mountain stand majestically along the river, forming a spectacular and breathtaking landscape, like a grand scroll painting of mountains and rivers. Whether ascending to the summits of Jinshan, Jiaoshan, or Beigu Mountain, the mighty rush of the Yangtze River flowing eastward, vast and powerful, broadens one’s horizons and inspires awe at nature’s incredible craftsmanship, echoing the sentiment of “the waves have washed away all the heroic figures of bygone days.”

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas