Eagle’s Nest Peak

Eagle’s Nest Peak

On the early morning of the first day of the tenth lunar month each year, visitors who climb Eagle’s Nest Peak can witness the rare phenomenon of the sun and moon rising simultaneously, acclaimed as the “foremost marvel in the southeast.”

Known as the conjunction of the sun and moon, or the joining of the solar and lunar discs, this rare celestial phenomenon is hailed as the foremost scenic wonder of the southeast. It refers to the simultaneous rising of the sun and the moon. The earliest recorded account of this phenomenon comes from the Wanli era (1573–1619) of the Ming Dynasty, documented by Chen Liang, a student of the Imperial College, in his work “Brief Record of the Conjunction Observed at Yunxiu Temple,” which describes: “A lingering mirage suddenly casts the moon’s reflection upon the heart of the sun, the two orbs merging as one, their edges brushing amid the snowy and crimson hues, rotating endlessly. The sea and sky seem to quake—it is beyond comprehension.”

Introduction

Eagle’s Nest Peak is located by the scenic South-North Lake at the mouth of the Qiantang River. It is one of the peaks encircling the lake and offers an exceptional spot to watch the sunrise over the sea. The Grand Viewing Platform and the Small Viewing Platform are the two best spots on Eagle’s Nest Peak to enjoy the sunrise.

The Grand Viewing Platform juts out toward the sea at an elevation of 186 meters. Several large rocks resemble lotus buds about to bloom, hence its alternative name, Lotus Bud Peak. Covering an area of nearly ten acres, the platform features the three large characters “鹰窠顶” (Eagle’s Nest Peak) carved into the cliff face, along with other cliff inscriptions such as “Sun-Moon Conjunction – A Wonder Under Heaven,” “Sea and Sky as One,” and “Badger’s Den.” There is also a small Putuo Cave on the cliff, which worshippers often visit for its serene atmosphere. On the rocks sits a pavilion named “Moon Imprinted on Sun’s Heart,” built in 1989 with funding from Yong’an Silk Printing and Dyeing Factory in Ganpu. The pavilion pillars bear two couplets: “The sea and sky glow with splendor, a sweeping view; the sun and moon shine together, the harmony of two lakes,” and “May the sun and moon forever leave behind twin discs, and may the sea and mountain share one lake.”

The Small Viewing Platform is located north of the Grand Viewing Platform, also known as Lotus Peak, and covers an area of about one acre. The cliff here features inscriptions such as “Magnificent View of Lake and Sea” and “Twin Waves,” with the latter referring to the seamless blending of sea waves and pine waves at this spot.

Between the Grand and Small Viewing Platforms stands a survey marker for the “Great Eastern Port.” This cylindrical marker, numbered 072, was erected by the Eastern Great Port Construction Committee following Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s proposal in his “Program for National Reconstruction” during the early years of the Republic of China to develop the Great Eastern Port. The marker is now housed in Yunxiu Nunnery.

Below the Small Viewing Platform, there are also rock formations such as the Foolish Scenery Rock, the Joining Palms Rock, and the Lion Head Rock.