East Rock (Chishi Tower)

East Rock (Chishi Tower)

East Rock, standing over 60 meters tall with steep cliffs on all sides, resembles an upright drum. Its red-hued rock walls have also earned it the name Chishi Tower.

An ancient poem describes it: “The sun hangs near the mountain high, a jade tower clings to cliffs in the sky. Thousands of peaks blush in rosy light, conjuring wonders of the Crimson Town in sight.” The only way to reach the top of Chishi Tower is to hug the cliffs, step on slanted footholds, grasp at narrow crevices, twist through gaps between rocks, and pass through two “Heavenly Gates” to get there.

The summit is expansive, covering an area of more than 20 acres. Standing atop the rock feels like being in a fairyland, with lush pines and bamboos, blooming peach and pear trees, and petals scattered all around. From this vantage point, the surrounding mountain and river scenery unfolds in full view.

In the past, Dingxiang Temple stood on the rock summit; today, there is an octagonal pavilion, along with the Sun and Moon Pools. Legend says one pool was clear while the other was murky, but now the Moon Pool is gone. The Sun Pool still exists—it was man-made, measuring 6 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, and never dries up throughout the year.

At the foot of the hill beside Chishi Tower lies Dongming Cave, which is 48 meters long and 18 meters wide. The rock formations spread like wings, and the area beneath the cave is flat and spacious. During the Song Dynasty, Tianyue Hall and a meditation room were built here.

Not far to its southwest lies the Ox Nose Cave, described in a poem as: “A towering beam stands straight, two deep hollows sealed tight. The cow-riding sage is nowhere seen, but purple mist swirls round East Rock.” It is 20 meters wide and 20 meters deep.

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The Ox Nose Cave is 20 meters wide and 20 meters deep.

In the third year of the Xuanhe era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1121), the rebel forces of Fang La, led by Hong Zai, once occupied East Rock. In the 14th year of the Zhengtong era during the Ming Dynasty (1449), Tao De’er led a rebellion of miners from Xuanci and attacked Chuzhou City. The local gentry Cai Gongshi of Yeling rallied clansmen and militia to defend the summit of East Rock. Tao De’er’s subordinate Shu Jinglong laid siege to the rock for over ten days, eventually setting fire to the surrounding forest, forcing Cai Gongshi and his followers to fall to their deaths off the cliff.

In the year [11] (year unspecified), Tao De'er led a rebellion of Xuan Ci miners to attack Chuzhou City. Cai Gongshi, a local gentry from Yeling, rallied fellow villagers and militia to resist at Dongyan Summit. Tao De'er’s subordinate, Shu Jinglong, besieged the rock for over ten days, and finally set fire to the surrounding forest, forcing Cai Gongshi, the militia, and fellow villagers to fall to their deaths off the cliff.

Today, a “Tomb of a Thousand People” remains on the hillside below East Rock.