Xianshan Mountain

Xianshan Mountain

Located one kilometer south of Huzhou City, it was originally named Xianshan. After Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian (reigned 705–710), to avoid using the emperor’s personal name, Xianshan was changed to Xianshan.

In ancient times, Xianshan had many scenic attractions, such as the Xianting Pavilion built by Yin Kang during the Jin Dynasty, the Wuhuating Pavilion constructed by Wei Jingxian between the 12th and 14th years of the Tang Tianbao era (753–755), as well as the Gaofeng Hall, Jiake Shrine, Sanxian Shrine dedicated to venerating historical figures, and the Yilao Hall, a gathering place for literati—all set in extremely picturesque surroundings.

The most famous ancient relic on the mountain is the “Wajiu Pavilion.” The Waju is located at the summit of Xianshan, taking the form of a concave stone cup, measuring two meters in length and about 1.5 meters in width. Historical records state that this cup “could hold five dou of wine.”

During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (713–741), Li Kuoqi, the great-grandson of Emperor Taizong, served as the Vice Prefect of Huzhou. He often climbed Xianshan with friends, stored wine in the Waju, and drank heartily with his guests. In the early Tianbao era, Li Kuoqi was promoted to Right Minister, and the local people built the “Waju Pavilion” at the spot where he used to visit. To this day, the ancient Wajiu Pavilion stele remains preserved. The Waju stele stands two meters tall, with half of it buried underground.

In the seventh year of the Tang Dali era (772), Yan Zhenqing served as the Prefect of Huzhou. During his tenure, he invited 29 notable scholars, including Lu Yu and Jiao Ran, to climb Xianshan. They gathered around the Waju stone, built a shelter, drank together, and gazed into the distance, which inspired their poetic creativity. Together, they composed poems.

Today, the Complete Tang Poems collection includes Yan Zhenqing’s “Climbing Xianshan and Viewing the Stone Cup of Left Prime Minister Li – Joint Verses,” consisting of 29 sets of five-character quatrains totaling 58 verses and 290 characters, marking a significant literary gathering of renowned scholars in Huzhou’s history.

In modern times, the southern foot of Xianshan Mountain is the site of the tomb of Chen Yingshi, a martyr of the Xinhai Revolution. In 1986, a revolutionary martyrs' cemetery was also established here.