Niushou Mountain and Huanfu Mountain Anti-Jin Ancient Fortifications

Niushou Mountain and Huanfu Mountain Anti-Jin Ancient Fortifications

Niushou Mountain and Huanfu Mountain Anti-Jin Ancient Fortifications are a protected cultural heritage site of Nanjing City.

Niushou Mountain and Huanfu Mountain Anti-Jin Ancient Fortifications are located in Niushou Mountain within the Zutang Dongshanqiao Forest Farm, Zumiao Subdistrict, Moling, Jiangning District, and Tieshixin Bridge, Yuhuatai District, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty.

Niushou Mountain is nestled among rolling hills about 15 kilometers south of Nanjing. With its steep slopes and strategic importance, it has historically been a key military stronghold. Huanfu Mountain lies to the north of Niushou Mountain, stretching for several miles from the banks of the Qinhuai River in the north to connecting with Niushou Mountain in the south, forming a natural barrier in the southern suburbs.

In April 1130, during the fourth year of the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Jin general Wuzhu led his troops straight toward Jiankang (present-day Nanjing). Yue Fei stationed his forces along the line of Niushou Mountain and Huanfu Mountain to block the Jin invaders.

The Anti-Jin fortifications start at Huanfu Mountain, extending for a total length of about 2,000 meters, though intermittent in parts. At intervals where the natural rock formations break, traces of artificially stacked walls can be seen. Due to the passage of time, some sections of the stone fortifications have now collapsed.

Behind Longquan Temple on Huanfu Mountain, locals refer to the area as General’s Mountain or Broken Arm Cliff. It is said that during Yue Fei’s fierce battle at Niushou Mountain, one of his brave generals charged deep into enemy lines, fought valiantly, and killed many Jin soldiers—but had his arm tragically severed by the enemy. He hid in a cave to recover, where local villagers later found him. They brought him food and herbs to aid in his healing. After recovering, the general returned to the frontline against the Jin. To commemorate this hero who lost an arm in battle, the mountain was named General’s Mountain and the cliff, Broken Arm Cliff.

Starting from the mountainside, remnants of the ancient fortifications gradually become visible on Niushou Mountain, with over 2,000 meters still preserved today. Though more than 870 years have passed since Yue Fei’s battle at Niushou Mountain, several well-preserved sections of the fortifications stretching across the mountain ridges remain—an exceptional historical find.

Niushou Mountain and Huanfu Mountain Anti-Jin Ancient Fortifications are a protected cultural heritage site of Nanjing City.