Jiaoshan Mountain in Wuxi

Jiaoshan Mountain in Wuxi

Jiaoshan Mountain is located north of Anzhen in Xishan District, Wuxi City, 18 kilometers from the urban area. It lies to the northwest of Huangshan Mountain, surrounded by towering peaks and lush green pines and cypresses. The mountain stands 125.8 meters high, stretches 3.5 kilometers from east to west, and is 0.8 kilometers wide from north to south, covering an area of over 200 hectares. It is named after the tomb of Jiao Ge, a virtuous figure from the Shang Dynasty, which is situated to the west of the mountain. The main peak is called Jiaofeng (Emerald Screen), facing Huishan Mountain and resembling an emerald screen. The eastern part resembles a coiling dragon, while the western part looks like a reclining ox. On the western peak lies Fenghuang Mountain, adjacent to which is Zenggan Mountain, with the highest peak being Chaqi Peak. To the west of Fenghuang Mountain are also Chicken Cage Mountain and Dragon Leg Mountain.

Scenic spots and historical sites include: the Tomb of Jiao Ge at Shimawan, Jiaoshan Temple, Li Gang Memorial Temple, Dou Ru Spring, Tomb of Wang Sengda, Tomb of An Guo, Lingbao Nunnery and Lingbao Spring, Beast Hoof Prints (Golden Ox Tracks), An Gong Cave, Jade Emperor Hall, among others. Garden and scenic attractions include Xilin, Nanlin, and Jiayin Garden. Many of these sites are still well-preserved, with most having remnants that can still be traced. Jiaoshan Mountain is considered a feng shui treasure land of Anzhen and a place rich in historical and cultural heritage.

A poem by Yuan Zhou Yi and Chen Zizhen about visiting Jiaoshan Mountain reads: “Autumn mountain, night rain, vines and creepers damp; / Cloudy path, early travel, sand and stones clear. / Ancient temple, paintings and colors, all empty grace; / Broken stele, inscriptions, none clearly read. / Forgetting worldly cares, old folks share wine and sobriety; / Meddling monks, far-off, send off and welcome. / Under the pines, the bamboo sedan chair creaks at sunset; / Bringing back a full gourd of milk spring.”

A poem by Ming Dynasty’s An Guo reads: “The Buddha’s palace locked in mist and rosy clouds, / Tombs reach toward Xiao Lang’s road, sloping away. / Tin spring, milk well, always boiling jade-like water; / Golden ox tracks not yet sunk into sand. / Incense flower bridge ancient, stretched across...; / Ink-washing pool deserted, frogs gathered in chaos. / There’s also the spot where ancient heroes sharpened swords, / Leading to immortal abodes through jewel-scattered stone valleys.”

A poem by Qing Dynasty’s Qin Ying reads: “Golden ox tracks on stone valley, green and vast; / Milk spring, snow cave, petals fall with fragrance. / Old tales say Jiao Ge’s land of fish and salt; / Yet here I climb, remembering the minister.”