Bailu Mountain - Zhijian Scenic Area

Bailu Mountain - Zhijian Scenic Area

The Bailu Mountain Scenic Area is located in Huangdian Town, approximately 17 kilometers west of Lanxi City, covering an area of about 13.63 square kilometers.

Bailu Mountain is also known as Yudai Mountain. Due to the Yanshan Movement, it formed a massive, block-like landform, featuring a famous fault line in the mountainside where white rocks resemble a belt — the "Yudai Wonder." At the foot of the mountain is a spring named Jingtan, which is so clear that it can reflect images, also called Yiquan Mountain. The Bailu Mountain Scenic Area has a monsoon subtropical humid climate, which is mild and pleasant, with abundant rainfall and distinct seasons. The average summer temperature here is 7–8°C lower than at the mountain's base.

The natural landscape of Bailu Mountain is beautiful and highly suitable for hiking and sightseeing. The mid-slopes are surrounded by peculiar rocks that look like a brocade ribbon. There is a huge protruding rock on the mountain called Huangyan, which hangs hundreds of feet above the ground, presenting a thrilling and spectacular sight. From this vantage point, visitors can gaze over scattered village smoke, the clear reflection of Mirror Screen, the undulating peaks of Jiulong Mountain, and the panoramic view of Lanxi City. The convergence of three rivers offers a breathtaking scene.

Bailu Mountain also boasts rich cultural resources. Beneath Huangyan lies the simply built Chengxian Hall. In the eighth year of the Tang Dynasty’s Taihe era (834 AD), Prime Minister Shu Yuanqi, commissioned by Emperor Wenzong along with Li Xun, was killed for attempting to eliminate the powerful eunuch Qiu Shiliang — an event historically known as the “Sweet Dew Incident.” In the eighth year of Emperor Xuanzong’s reign (854 AD), he was posthumously vindicated and honored as “Chengxian Gong” (Immortal Ascendant Duke), hence the construction of “Chengxian Hall” in his memory. Midway up Bailu Mountain stands the serene and elegant Huizhao Chan Temple, a classic ancient temple of southern China, adorned with plaques inscribed by Zhao Puchu such as “Zhexi First Dharma Site” and “Mahavira Hall.” The temple was first built during the Huangyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1049–1053 AD) and has a history of over 900 years. At the northern foot lie the tomb of Zhou Sanwei, Vice Minister of the Dali Court from the Southern Song Dynasty, and Zhongyin An. Zhou Sanwei, a native of Ningliang from the Southern Song, lived in seclusion on Bailu Mountain and was buried here. A stone tablet in front of the tomb reads: “Tomb of Zhou Tingwei, Vice Minister of the Dali Court of the Song Dynasty, Courtesy Name Sanwei.” In the first year of the Jiading era of Emperor Lizong of Song (1208 AD), the plaque “Zhongyin An” was bestowed. To the southwest lies the renowned Sanxiang Tomb Scenic Area. This area features gentle terrain, surrounded by mountains on three sides, with an open flatland to the south. It houses the tomb of Shu Yuanqi; the tomb of Fan Zhong, a clean and honest official praised by Emperor Lizong as “not mingling with ordinary flowers,” also known as the “No Land, No Tower” Chancellor. In front of Fan Zhong’s tomb, there is a pebble-paved ground, with stone figures of humans, horses, and sheep still faintly visible.

Source: Jinhua Government Website

Further Reading:

· Zhejiang Province’s Sixth Batch of Provincial-Level Scenic Areas