Sword Pool

Sword Pool

Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the famed swordsmith Ou Yezi forged three swords here — “Dragon Abyss,” “Qin A,” and “Gong Bu” — making Longquan swords famous throughout the land. The *Taiping Huanyu Ji* states: “In ancient times, people quenched swords in the water, and the swords turned into dragons and flew away, hence the name Longquan (Dragon Spring).” The Qing-era *Comprehensive Gazetteer* records: “South of Longquan County in Zhejiang, there is a body of water called ‘Dragon Abyss.’ To avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Gaozu (Li Yuan) during the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed ‘Longquan,’ and in the Song Dynasty it was again changed to ‘Sword Pool Lake.’ Sword Pool Lake is located by Qinxi Mountain on the southern edge of the city. In ancient times, there were seven wells on the southern side of the mountain, arranged in the shape of the North Star. The well water was sweet and cool. Ou Yezi, the master swordsmith, drew water from here to quench his blades, which enhanced their hardness and prevented rusting.

The Tianmu Mountain Range stretches from west to northeast for over a hundred li, all the way to the prosperous Hangjiahu Plain. Just over 60 kilometers from Hangzhou, nestled on the plain within Deqing County in Huzhou City, stands a graceful and beautiful peak — the world-renowned summer retreat, Mount Mogan. In the height of summer, a drive from sweltering Hangzhou or the “furnace” of Nanjing takes just a few hours to reach the top of Mount Mogan. With its cool climate, it has long been known as a “cool world” and is one of China’s four famous summer resorts and convalescent destinations, along with Beidaihe, Jigong Mountain, and Mount Lu. The beauty of Mogan lies in Sword Pool.

The beauty of Mogan lies in Sword Pool, and the beauty of Sword Pool lies in its cascading waterfall.

Above Sword Pool spans a small stone bridge over a clear stream, called Fuxi Bridge, also known as Feihong (Flying Rainbow) Bridge. On the stone pillars on both sides of the bridge are two lines from Chen Yi’s “Travelogue Verses on Mount Mogan”: one side reads:

Verdant bamboo lines the path, forming a sea of green; from the depths of the ravine, high buildings come into view.

The other side reads:

The Sword Pool waterfall washes away worldly thoughts; the distant view from Pagoda Hill inspires joyful song.

On the stone wall of Sword Pool are engraved two bold characters: “Sword Pool.” From Fuxi Bridge above Sword Pool, one can gaze down to take in the full view of the pool’s waterfall, nestled between steep cliffs and jagged rocks. The Sword Pool waterfall is divided into three tiers. The stream bursts forth from beneath Fuxi Bridge, then suddenly plunges two or three zhang (approximately 6–9 meters), crashing into a pool below — this is the first tier of the Sword Pool waterfall. After entering the pool, the water briefly gathers momentum before cascading again, this time dropping more than 10 meters in a spectacular plunge — this is the second tier, and the main waterfall. Ancient poets wrote, “The flying spring splits the rocks, surging mightily from the void; no valley can hold it, as it turns into thunder in the clear sky,” describing precisely this scene. On the rocky cliff beside the waterfall are carved the characters “Fuxi P160.” Below Sword Pool, the water is funneled into a short cascade that winds its way through the bamboo grove and disappears from sight — this is the third tier. From afar, the Sword Pool waterfall resembles a white silk ribbon, graceful and elegant. Whether viewed from above or below, each angle presents a unique charm, offering endless fascination.

Standing at the edge of Sword Pool and looking up at the falls presents yet another spectacle: the waterfall descends from the sky, its droplets scattering like pearls and jade, sending chills down the spine and stirring the soul. Looking down into the pool, mist-shrouded peaks rise from the water, tree shadows sway gently, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

Throughout all seasons, in sun or shade, the Sword Pool waterfall changes endlessly, presenting ever-new wonders. Sometimes it resembles a single thread hanging in the air, drifting with the wind; sometimes it looks like a suspended silk ribbon, still and unmoving; at other times it appears like a dragon diving into the sea, leaping and twisting; sometimes thick fog envelops the scene, hiding the falls from view, leaving only the sound of rushing water; sometimes morning mist lingers in the valley, veiling the falls in purple haze; and sometimes moonlight bathes the mountains in a soft glow, the waterfall shimmering with silvery light.

To the left of Sword Pool is a flight of stone steps. Winding upward, they lead to the Waterfall Viewing Pavilion — not only an ideal spot to admire the Sword Pool waterfall, but also a great place to watch the sunrise.

Speaking of the Sword Pool waterfall, one must not overlook an ancient legend. Sword Pool is said to be the place where the famed swordsmith Gan Jiang and his wife Mo Ye forged swords during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. According to *Records of Wu – The Gate of Craftsmen*, King Helü of Wu ordered Gan Jiang to forge swords for him. After three months, the molten iron still would not pour. If he failed to deliver on time, Gan Jiang would face punishment. Mo Ye consulted with Gan Jiang, who said that if a woman were offered to the furnace god, the swords could be successfully cast. So, Mo Ye threw herself into the furnace. Immediately, the flames roared to life, glowing red-hot, and when they subsided, two bluish glows lay on the bottom of the furnace — these were the male and female swords forged from Mo Ye’s flesh and blood. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the *In Search of the Supernatural*, a compilation of tales about gods, spirits, and transformations, as well as Cao Pi’s *Records of the Strange*, both recount the story of Gan Jiang and Mo Ye forging swords at Sword Pool, Gan Jiang being executed after presenting the swords, and their son Chi Bi sacrificing himself to avenge his father. To this day, on a large blackish-brown rock covered in moss beneath Fuxi Bridge, the characters “The Grinding Site of King Zhou’s Gan Jiang and Mo Ye” are engraved.

In the shaded valley of Mount Mogan, believed to be the site where Mo Ye and Gan Jiang once sharpened their swords, lies a pool with crystal-clear water. Above it, a waterfall cascades down from the sky, and the water flows over stone ledges, forming three tiers. Nearby are pavilions, railings, and winding stone steps. The surrounding cliffs are covered in inscriptions, most of which are recent. On the opposite side of the pool, a semi-open pavilion is built against the hillside.