Xufuyan

Xufuyan

Xufuyan is located over ten li west of Xuedou Temple and about 200 meters from Xufuyan Village. The cliff top sits at an elevation of 476 meters, with a massive rock protruding from the cliff mouth. The waterfall has a drop of 242 meters, and nearby stand the "Waterfall Viewing Pavilion" and the "Immortals' Gathering Pavilion." On the cliff face are four characters, “Xu Fu Jian Xue” (Xufuyan Splashing Snow), handwritten by Qu Wu, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, which capture the essence and charm of the Xufuyan scenery.

The Xufuyan Waterfall features steep cliffs and precipitous rocks, with the cliff top at an elevation of 476 meters and the waterfall dropping 142 meters. At the cliff mouth, a large rock juts out. Legend has it that this is where an immortal rode a wild duck and slowly ascended to heaven, hence the name. From a distance, it also resembles a giant monkey leaning against the sky and bowing, thus it is also called "Ju Hou Yan" (Bow Monkey Cliff). The Song Dynasty’s Baoding-era "Siming Annals" referred to it as Ju Hou Yan. The same annals recorded that the three large characters "Ju Hou Yan" were carved into the sheer cliff, possibly by a certain individual. Today, the new carving features the four large characters “Xu Fu Jian Xue.” The area around the cliff is overgrown with vegetation, and the cliff top valley is broad, with a cave bridge.

The valley stream is crystal clear, originating from Chouchu Ridge, flowing through valleys and forests, and here it rushes turbulently, cascading down the cliff. After heavy rain, the sound is like thunder, shaking the valley. Looking down from the cliff edge, the sight of the bottomless abyss chills the heart and makes one’s legs tremble. Below the cliff, white mist rises, and water droplets dance like flying pearls and jade. There is a pool at the bottom, with tree branches slapping the water surface, creating a majestic and spectacular scene. A poem by Lou Zezhong of Ming Dynasty’s Fenghua reads: "A sheet of cliff stands as if piercing the sky; it was said in olden times people ascended to immortality here. A wild duck-like divine bird soared with crimson shoes through the clouds, while a crane carried a celestial flute through purple mist." In 1991, the government funded the construction of winding pebble paths, handrails, pavilions, a reception building, and the Buyun Stairs (Cloud-Stepping Stairs).

On March 7, 1949, Chiang Ching-kuo’s diary recorded: “Father and Mr. Liqing (then Secretary-General of the Republic of China, Wu Zhongxin) went to visit Xufuyan. The landscape here is exquisitely beautiful and uniquely serene, unmatched in the world. It is said that Kang Youwei, in his travelogue covering seventy countries, ranked the world’s most beautiful landscapes as follows: Huangshan first, Yellowstone National Park in the United States second. It’s a pity Kang never visited Xuedou or Xufuyan.” This passage reveals two subconscious thoughts of Chiang Ching-kuo: first, it points

There are many legends about Xufuyan. One myth tells of a time long ago when, at a place called "Houju Rock," an immortal with white hair and a youthful face walked to the edge of a steep, dangerous cliff, looked up to the sky, and shouted, "Come quickly, take me back!" Immediately after, a large bird resembling a wild duck but actually a crane descended from the sky. It landed beside the immortal and slowly carried him off into the air. From then on, the place came to be known as "Xufuyan" (Crane-Duck Cliff).

Near Xufuyan there is a "Meeting of Immortals Pavilion." Beside the pavilion is a small stone cave. During the movement against Yuan Shikai’s attempt to proclaim himself emperor, Chiang Kai-shek was wanted by the authorities. He fled back to his hometown in Fenghua from Shanghai with Yao Yecheng. He settled Yao Yecheng at her uncle Sun Qinfeng’s home in Xiaozhen, and went alone to Xikou. He then hurriedly escaped to Xuedou Temple. Arriving at Xuedou Temple before dawn, he knocked on the temple door a few times, but no one answered. So he fled in the direction of Xufuyan. Once at Xufuyan, he hid in the stone cave until daybreak. Then, he secretly made his way to "Four-Window Rock." In 1991, to allow visitors to enjoy the waterfall, the Fenghua People's Government allocated funds to build the "Waterfall Viewing Pavilion." From the pavilion, one can see the waterfall and the four large characters reading "Xufuyan Splashing Snow." The scenery of Xufuyan has gradually become well known. Visitors have come in an endless stream. Many film locations for movies such as "The Unforgettable Battle" and "Dawn," as well as TV series like "Laughing in the Wind" ("Swordsman"), were filmed at Xufuyan.

Address: Inside Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area, Xikou Town, Fenghua City, Ningbo

Type: Waterfall

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 4001817718

Ticket information:

No separate ticket required. The entrance fee is included in the Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area ticket, which is 150 RMB (including 30 RMB for transportation within the scenic area), or you may purchase the Xuedou Mountain sightseeing train (small train) single ticket for 45 RMB, the cable car single ticket for 35 RMB, or the combined cable car and sightseeing train ticket for 50 RMB. The Xikou Scenic Area combo ticket also includes this attraction, priced at 230 RMB (including Xuedou Mountain transportation ticket), or 280 RMB (including Xuedou Mountain transportation ticket, sightseeing train fee, and cable car). Scenic area tickets are valid for one day, while combo tickets are valid for two days.