Yanziji

Yanziji

Yanziji is a cultural relic protection unit of Nanjing.

Yanziji is located on Zhidu Mountain on the outskirts of Nanjing. It earned its name because the rocky peak juts abruptly out over the river, surrounded by open space on three sides, resembling a swallow spreading its wings as if about to take flight. Zhidu Mountain stands over 40 meters high, connected to the riverbank to the south while surrounded by water on the other three sides, making for a highly strategic and dramatic terrain. Perched atop the mountain, Yanziji offers one of the best spots to enjoy the river views. Ascend to the top of the cliff and gaze at the mighty Yangtze River as it surges forward, flowing mightily for thousands of miles in a spectacular display. To the west, the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge spans the river like a rainbow, especially enchanting on moonlit nights when the bright moon hangs in the sky, the river sparkles with shimmering light, and fishing boats dot the water. Yanziji has long been a favorite spot for literati and poets to express their emotions by the river. Historical figures such as Shi Kefa and Gong Xian once composed poems here. At the top of the cliff now stands an Imperial Stele Pavilion, housing a stone tablet inscribed on the front with the three large characters “Yanziji” (Swallow Cliff) handwritten by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, and on the back, a seven-character quatrain composed by the emperor himself: “Once I heard tales of waves encircling the river’s flow, / Where mighty tides roared beneath my feet below. / Yet joy I found where silt has turned to green, / With misty woods carved out, now peacefully seen.” On the cliffs southwest of Yanziji along the river, there are several limestone karst caves, referred to in ancient travelogues as the Twelve Caves of Yanshan Mountain. The main ones include the First Terrace Cave, Guanyin Cave, the Second Terrace Cave, and the Third Terrace Cave. The First Terrace Cave is about 1 kilometer from Yanziji, featuring oddly shaped stalactites inside, with Guanyin Cave located nearby. The other caves offer similar scenic wonders.

One of the Three Famous Cliffs of the Yangtze River, located outside Guangyin Gate in the northern suburbs of Nanjing. It is an extension of the northeastern part of Yanshan Mountain. With an elevation of 36 meters, the mountain’s rocks rise straight up from the river, surrounded by open space on three sides, resembling a swallow spreading its wings as if about to take flight—hence the name Yanziji. During the early Qing Dynasty, both Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong moored their boats here during their southern tours. At the top of the cliff is a stele pavilion, housing a stone tablet inscribed on the bottom with the characters “Yanziji” written by Emperor Qianlong, and on the back, his poem. Visiting at night offers a view of bright moonlight and clear river water like silk, making it one of the “Forty-Eight Scenic Spots of Jinling.”

Near Yanziji are Hongji Temple and Guanyin Pavilion; the temple is now gone but the pavilion remains. Yanshan Mountain originally had twelve caves, most formed in steep cliffs by the impact of river water. Nowadays, only the First Terrace Cave, Second Terrace Cave, and Third Terrace Cave are relatively well-known. Among them, the Third Terrace Cave is the deepest, widest, and most winding. Inside the cave are attractions such as Guanyin Spring and Little Heaven; to the right of the cave is a stone staircase leading to a “line of sky” crevice; further up are a hundred stone steps leading to a flying pavilion perched in mid-air, opening up a whole new realm.

Yanziji juts abruptly out over the river, surrounded by cliffs on three sides. From afar, it resembles a swallow skimming the water, hence its name. Commanding the great river, Yanziji features perilous terrain, with roaring waves crashing against the rocks below, making it an important Yangtze River crossing and military stronghold. It is hailed as the “Number One Cliff of the Ten-Thousand-Li Yangtze.”

Address: No. 3, Linjiang Street, Qixia District, Nanjing

Type: Urban Park / Mountain

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Phone: 025-85311337

Official Website: http://yzj.nju.gov.cn/web_info/scenic/detail/1085.shtml

Opening Hours:

7:30-17:30

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 10.0 RMB