Shengzhou Zhanshan Scenic Area

Shengzhou Zhanshan Scenic Area

Shengzhou Zhanshan Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Praised in the "Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Great Qing" as "majestically upright and beautifully towering," the area located 15 kilometers northwest of Shengzhou City at Nianbadu has been a popular destination for scholars and poets throughout history. It features attractions such as the Zanyan Pavilion, Cave Heaven Blessed Land, Cave Heaven Pavilion, Lingfeng Platform, and Zhanshan Pavilion. Ancient pines stand guard on both sides, peculiar rocks rise from the mountain peaks, and a clear, rippling stream—Dijin Ancient Stream—winds around the base of the mountain, meandering along its way. Truly a heavenly realm and a blessed place on Earth!

Zhanshan is often hailed as the Number One Mountain of Shanyin’s West, situated east of Nianbadu in Chongren Town. With its steep and rugged terrain, its jagged peaks pierce the sky, hence it is also known as "Jianshan" (Sharp Mountain). Zhanshan boasts beautiful scenery with limpid waters, towering ancient pines, and lush greenery. At the foot of the mountain, a clear stream flows gently from north to south, circling the mountain and passing over Dijin Bridge before merging into the Bijiashan area and then into the Shanchuan River. Spanning the river from east to west, Dijin Bridge is the only entrance to Zhanshan Scenic Area. On the bridge’s horizontal railings are inscriptions reading "Dijin Bridge" and "Dijin Ancient Stream," penned by the famed calligrapher Gu Tinglong. The waters of Dijin Ancient Stream originate from the Baishuikeng Waterfall at Wulong Pool. Legend has it that the Eastern Jin Dynasty poet-monk Boyiyou once washed his clothes and headscarf in the stream, hence the name "Dijin" (Cloth-Washing). Crossing the Dijin Ancient Stream Bridge and strolling toward the entrance of Zhanshan, one looks up to see an ancient stone memorial archway standing facing south, bearing the bold characters “Famous Mountain Blessed Land.” A pair of stone lions sit happily on either side of the archway, as if welcoming visitors from all directions. Passing through the archway, a flight of over 500 stone steps winds its way up to the mountain peak. As you climb, lush ancient pines line the path, while vibrant flowers of every hue compete in beauty, offering a feast for the eyes.

At the foot of Zhanshan lies a village called Nianbadu. When and by whom it was first inhabited remains unverifiable. However, bricks inscribed with the characters “Taijian Third Year” indicate that people had settled here no later than the Chen Dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period (571 AD). The village features well-arranged architecture, with a significant number of Qing Dynasty-style porch buildings. There is also an ancient temple in the village built by the Zhang clan

in 1172 AD (the eighth year of the Qiandao era during the Southern Song Dynasty) to worship the Jin Dynasty poet-monk Boyiyou. Known as Zhanshan Temple, it houses a carved divine statue. Both the ancient temple and the Eternal Opera Stage have been restored to their former glory and remain active with incense offerings.

The Zhanshan Pavilion, nestled halfway up the mountain under a canopy of ancient pines, shines alongside the forest of age-old trees. Visitors can rest here, sample Shengzhou’s famous tea, listen to birds chirping, and watch squirrels scramble for food—a truly unique delight. Esteemed contemporary scholars such as Zhu Jiajin and Huang Shouqi have left calligraphy works and couplets here. The couplet composed by Li Ximi reads: “The scenery is the most splendid in Shanyin’s West; undulating ridges encircle this pavilion.” The calligraphy was surprisingly penned by a five-year-old girl named Qiu Le. Admiring this couplet, one can’t help but marvel at the elder’s boundless talent and the child’s divine brushwork, full of elegance. Their collaboration is hailed as a perfect match, becoming a much-told tale.

Passing through the Cave Heaven Pavilion and ascending the winding stone steps to the mountaintop, the view suddenly opens up. Standing at the summit and looking around, you’ll see rolling mountains and villages scattered like stars across the land, with the beautiful scenery all laid out before your eyes. To the north of the mountain, the cliffs rise steeply. To the east, hundreds of acres of peach orchards are in bud—unfortunately not in bloom. Had it been the flowering season, it would have felt like stepping into the Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming. At the top sits the Lingfeng Platform, where two massive rocks stand—one higher than the other, resembling a scholar’s official hat. Legend says they are the “Worshiping Stones” of Boyiyou. The other rock is a square, dark-surfaced chessboard used by the monk for playing chess and hosting friends. Flat and smooth, it weighs several tons. Whether these two massive rocks were naturally formed or carried up to the 150-meter-high mountaintop by humans remains an age-old mystery. What’s even more astonishing about Zhanshan is that finding a single loose stone across the entire mountain is harder than climbing it!

Address: East Side of Nianbadu Village, Chongren Town, Shengzhou City, Shaoxing

Type: Mountain, Historical Architecture, Ancient Town, Ancient Village

Recommended Visit Duration: About 3 hours

Opening Hours:

Open all day

Ticket Information:

Free admission.

Address: Nianbadu Village, Chongren Town, Shengzhou City