Xikou Scenic Area

Xikou

Xikou is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

As a national key scenic area and AAAA-level tourist destination, Xikou is situated in Xikou Town, Fenghua, about 40 kilometers southwest of Ningbo. It is bordered by Wuling Ridge to the east, the Shanyin River to the south, and Xuedou Mountain to the north, with picturesque landscapes surrounded by water and hills. In recent history, it has gained international fame as the birthplace of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, shining as a dazzling jewel along the main tourism corridor of East China. It was among the first to be designated as a “National AAAA-Level Tourist Area” and one of the “Top Ten Scenic Spots in Zhejiang,” highly favored by travel enthusiasts.

The Xikou–Xuedou Mountain Scenic Area lies on the eastern edge of the Siming Mountains, 13 kilometers northwest of Fenghua City and 37 kilometers from downtown Ningbo. It comprises three sections: Xikou Town, Xuedou Mountain, and Tingxia Lake, covering a total area of 32.6 square kilometers. It was designated as one of the 18 provincial-level key scenic areas in August 1985. Recognized as a national key scenic spot and also classified as a national forest park, it was referred to as the “Penglai of the Sea” as early as the Han Dynasty.

Xikou Town derives its name from its location at the mouth of the Shanyin River, a tributary of the Fenghua River. It is a historic mountain town with over a thousand years of history, featuring the Wushan Temple

Covering an area of 1.2 square kilometers, it is nestled against Wushan Mountain to the east, overlooking Guishan Mountain to the west, backed by Baiyan Mountain to the north, and facing Bijia Mountain to the south. Surrounded by lush green hills and traversed by the Shanyin River, the area boasts serene and elegant scenery. During the Qing Dynasty, literati compiled the "Ten Scenes of Xikou," which include: Kuige Lingxiao (Wenchang Pavilion), Wuju Langnuan (confluence of waters at Wuling Ridge), Bitan Guanyu (fish viewing under Qishui Bridge), Pingshan Xuji (snowscape of Wushan Mountain), Jinxi Qiuyue (the section of Shanyin River from Shadi to Zhangsha known as Jinxi, reflecting moonlight in autumn), Songlin Xiaori (morning sun in the pine forest), Xuefeng Wanzhao (evening view of Xuedou Mountain), Xichuan Yezhao (moonlit boat rides), Nanyuan Zaomei (plum orchards south of the creek), and Pingsha Fangcao (grassy flats south of the creek). Roads connect to Yinxian, Xinchang, Fenghua, and Yuyao. Major attractions include Wushan Temple, Wuling Gate, Wenchang Pavilion, Wuling School, the former residence of the Chiang family (Fenghao House), Xiaoyangfang (Small Western-style House), Yutai Salt Shop, Mohedi (Mahavira Hall), Mao’s Tomb, Wuling Park, and the Chiang Family Ancestral Tomb Path.

Attraction Highlights

Wushan Temple

Located at the southern foot of Wushan Mountain, it was originally a ancestral temple shared by the Jiang, Zhang, Ren, and Song families. The exact date of its construction is unknown. It was rebuilt through public fundraising in 1790 (Wuling Gate

Year 55 of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty). In 1796 (the first year of the Jiaqing reign), corridors, terraces, pavilions, and the mountain gate were added, and it underwent several renovations afterward. In the 1920s, it served as the Wushan School where Chiang Ching-kuo studied. In 1947, it was extensively renovated when the Chiang family updated their genealogy. From March 1986 to October 1987, the government funded a major restoration. The temple features a front and rear hall, side corridors, a courtyard with a stage, and two coiled-dragon stone pillars in the main hall, which were relocated here from Liujiao Temple in Daqiao Town. With upturned eaves and brackets, it embodies the architectural style of Jiangnan temples during the Qing Dynasty. In February 1988, the Xikou Museum was established here, displaying unearthed relics and ancient crafts.

Wuling Gate

Positioned at the ridge of Wuling Mountain, it guards the entrance to the ancient town. Originally the site of Wuling Hermitage, which had a teahouse. In 1929, it was demolished and reconstructed into a replica of an ancient city gate, near Wuling Park

The gate is a two-story, three-bay structure with upturned eaves. The horizontal plaque inscribed with “Wuling” was written by Yu Youren on the east-facing side and by Chiang Kai-shek on the west-facing side. The upper floor originally served as a public reading room, connected by corridors and surrounded by crenellations. The lower level features a central arched passageway for pedestrians and vehicles, with pink stone blocks used in the wall construction. On the right side of the gate stands a two-story, three-bay building that once housed a clinic and now serves as the Fenghua City Tourism Bureau.

Wenchang Pavilion

Situated atop Tanzheng Hill at the southern end of Wushan Mountain, commonly known as Wuling Head, it was built in 1731 (the ninth year of the Yongzheng reign in the Qing Dynasty). Initially a small pavilion housing the seat of the God of Literature, it served as a site for worship and literary gatherings for the Xikou Wenchang Society, Wenyuwu Society, and Jinxi Study. In the spring of 1924, Chiang Kai-shek returned from Guangzhou and, seeing the pavilion in disrepair, commissioned Shi Ji’ing to oversee its reconstruction. The pavilion

was completed in September of the following year. It is a two-story building with a floor area of 500 square meters, built on a stone platform with walls of blue bricks, upturned eaves, beams carved with figures and flowers, and corridors adorned with floral-patterned windows. The roof is hung with palace lanterns. Chiang Kai-shek named it “Leting” (Pleasure Pavilion) and wrote “The Record of Leting at Wuling,” stating: “Given its location amidst the landscape, all who visit are enchanted and reluctant to leave. Whether wise or benevolent, all find joy here, hence I name it Leting (Pavilion of Joy).” Locals still commonly call it Wenchang Pavilion, while the smaller pavilion nearby is referred to as Leting. Chiang and Soong Mei-ling once stayed here, using it as a library. In December 1939, it was destroyed by Japanese air raids. In April 1987, the government funded its restoration to its original design. It is now a grand palace-style complex of two main buildings and three side halls, with single or double-eaved hipped roofs, covering 500 square meters. It features intricately carved beams, painted windows, and elegant corridors, embodying strong traditional Chinese architectural aesthetics. Inside, calligraphy and paintings are displayed. Ancient trees such as camphor, zelkova, arborvitae, and hackberry surround the site, providing dense shade. Below, the emerald-green Shanyin River sparkles with ripples. Already listed as one of the “Ten Scenes of Xikou” during the Qing Dynasty under the name “Kuige Lingxiao,” a local poet Jiang Tingxiu wrote: “Lofty it stands a hundred feet on the hill, Catching the starlight that from heaven spills; Since olden days the fairest of streams is this, Where lads all strive for laurels they won’t let miss.”

Qishui Bridge

Located beneath Wenchang Pavilion and overlooking the Shanyin River, it was built in 1929 by Elder Monk Rongni, a cousin of Chiang Kai-shek. Originally a flat stone bridge lying close to the water’s surface, it was later redesigned into an arched bridge by the Shanghai Sun Yusen Construction Company, spanning two crab-claw-shaped rocks, thus becoming a scenic attraction. The water beneath is crystal clear, with visible fish. A Qing Dynasty poet Jiang Tingxiu wrote: “In the green pool the water shines bright, Fed with gold fish that charm the sight; Why seek for fabled pools so far? Here lotus roots and weeds are near as are.” Since May 1985, three bamboo raft boats have been available for Shanyin River cruises.

Xiaoyangfang (Small Western-style House)

Located east of Wuling Head and bordering the Shanyin River, it was originally called “Han Zhai” and is commonly known as the Small Western-style House. Built in 1930, it is a three-bay, two-story Western-style building with a flat roof, backing onto Wushan Mountain and connected to Wenchang Pavilion via an open-air corridor. On the right side along the riverbank, there is a cement platform used for swimming and diving, known as the “Diving Platform.” The area features rippling blue waters that remain unfrozen even in the depths of winter, referred to as “Wuju Langnuan” (Warm Waves at Wuju). A Qing Dynasty poet Jiang Fengyuan wrote: “Wuling stands where Chu once did rise, This spot with that in charms complies; Peach blossoms line both banks so fair, A stream runs through the middle there. The warm spring comes from earth’s own core, Unfrozen though the winds may roar; On the third day with lads I’ll go, To cleanse and pray, as ancients do?” It originally served as the residence for Chiang Kai-shek’s aides, clerks, and guards. In the early summer of 1937, Chiang Ching-kuo returned from the Soviet Union and lived here with his wife Fang Liang and eldest son Ai Lun (Xiaowen), studying classical texts. Mao Fu-mei, Chiang Ching-kuo’s mother, died in a Japanese air raid in December 1939. The “Blood for Blood” stele inscribed by Chiang Ching-kuo during her funeral is now placed here.

Wuling School

Located to the right inside Wuling Gate. Established by Chiang Kai-shek in 1929, the school buildings were designed by Weng Wentao and constructed by the Shanghai Sun Yusen Construction Company, completing in December of the following year. Covering over 90 acres, it includes more than 40 structures such as a grand auditorium, teaching buildings, dormitories, and a gymnasium, with a total floor area of 14,000 square meters. The campus is spaciously arranged with lush greenery, including four ancient camphor trees, creating a tranquil environment. The uniquely designed grand auditorium features a majestic exterior and exquisite decorations in the architectural style of the Republican era. It houses a foundation stone inscribed by Chiang Kai-shek himself. The upper floor was used as a reception area for high-ranking guests. Backing onto Wushan Mountain, it has ancient trees such as trident maples and pittosporums. A cliffside inscription reading “Secluded Beauty of Wuling,” written by Chiang Kai-shek in 1931, is carved into the rock face. Below the rock is a cement terrace with stone benches and tables. After liberation, it was repurposed as the Ningbo Regional Hospital. In May 1988, it regained its original name, “Wuling Middle School,” while retaining its historic appearance.

Fenghao House

Located on the lower street of Wuling Road, about 200 meters east of Wuling Gate, it is the former residence of Chiang Kai-shek and his son Chiang Ching-kuo. The name is derived from the Western Zhou Dynasty’s use of Feng and Hao

as capitals for the states of Yi and Jing. The characters “Feng” and “Hao” were used to designate the residences of Chiang Kai-shek and his younger brother Ruiqing. Since Ruiqing died young, Chiang inherited both titles, hence the combined name Fenghao House. Originally consisting of six ancestral rooms, it was expanded and renovated in 1935, resulting in 49 rooms covering an area of 4,800 square meters with a built-up area of 1,850 square meters. The layout includes a front hall, rear hall, two side wings, and four corridors. The front hall door is inscribed “Sujü” (Plain Abode). The downstairs served as an accounting office and reception area, while the upstairs was used by Chiang’s mother Wang Caiyu and his first wife Mao Fumei for scripture recitation. The rear hall functions as a family shrine, named “Baoben Tang” (Hall of Repaying Origins), with the plaque “Yuli Shuaqi” (Embodied Principle, Commanding Vitality) and accompanying inscription written by Chiang Kai-shek on April 15, 1949, for his eldest son Ching-kuo’s 40th birthday. The inscription reads: “Each evening, I silently recite Mencius’s chapter on ‘Nourishing Qi.’ For fifteen years, I have never missed it, and I feel I have gained some understanding. I often ponder the character ‘xing’ (nature/essence) related to cultivating one’s heart and nature, and I’ve come up with four lines: ‘Silent and scentless, only void and subtle, perfectly good and perfectly central, embodied principle commands vitality.’ I use these as my personal maxim. Among them, the word ‘yi’ (embodied) I deeply resonate with, finding joy in it, though I dare not show it to others. On the occasion of my son Ching-kuo’s 40th birthday, I specially add these words ‘Yuli Shuaqi’ as a private blessing, hoping he will deeply reflect, strive for self-improvement, and live up to expectations.” The couplet on the pillars reads: “Respecting one’s roots and honoring one’s parents is the highest virtue; bringing honor to ancestors and benefiting descendants is the hope of filial children and obedient grandchildren,” also handwritten by Chiang Kai-shek. The hall enshrines the spirit tablets of four generations of the Chiang family ancestors. The west wing room was the residence of Mao Fu-mei (Chiang Ching-kuo’s birth mother); in 1937, when Chiang Ching-kuo returned from the Soviet Union and held a belated wedding, it served as the bridal chamber. The east wing room was once the residence of Soong Mei-ling. To the west is a standalone small building with two rooms and one corridor, formerly the residence of Chiang’s mother Wang Caiyu. The upstairs hallway connects to the west wing room, and the staircase is so narrow that only one person can ascend at a time, allegedly designed for Wang Caiyu’s small feet as she needed to hold the railing. The east small building was originally for servants or storage. The west wing building was used to receive relatives and friends, while Mao Fu-mei, in her later years and suffering from illness, also lived here due to difficulty climbing stairs. The buildings are interconnected with corridors and eaves, featuring red pillars, ochre walls, blue tiles, and fish-scale ridges. The front courtyard and sides are connected by round archways, surrounded by seven ginkgo trees. Two purple magnolia trees are planted inside the Sujü gate, and old osmanthus branches sprawl across the yard, offering dense shade. The courtyard is exquisitely carved and painted, rich in classical artistic style. The roof is adorned with molded figures of the “Three Stars Shining Bright” and “Two Dragons Fighting for the Pearl.” The surrounding walls feature murals such as “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea,” “Jiang Ziya Fishing,” “King Wen Seeking Talent,” “Liu Bei Seeking a Bride,” and “Mother of Yue Fei Tattooing Her Son’s Back.” After the liberation of Xikou in May 1949, the People’s Government ensured its protection. In 1980, funds were allocated for renovation.

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Mohedi (Mahavira Hall)

Located on the north side of Caishen Hall Lane in central Xikou, it is the ancestral shrine built by the Chiang clan to commemorate their second-generation ancestor, Jiang Zongba. Jiang Zongba, the Five Small Western-style Houses

A devout Buddhist from the Zhending era of the Later Liang dynasty, he was a disciple of the Cloth Bag Monk at Yuelin Temple, often chanting "Prajna Paramita" and known as the Layman Mahā. In 1931, Mao Fumei, the mother of Chiang Ching-kuo, funded the construction of this hall as a place for her and other female members of the Chiang family to worship and chant scriptures. The main hall faces west, featuring yellow walls and blue tiles, white plastered walls with ochre corridors. There are 11 rooms on each side, and a courtyard paved with pebbles behind the hall. It was restored in 1989. Three ancient camphor trees stand nearby.

Mao Family Tomb

The Mao Family Tomb is located on the east lawn of the Mahā Hall. On December 12, 1939, Japanese aircraft bombed Xikou, resulting in Mao’s tragic death. Her coffin was temporarily placed near the Mahā Hall before being buried in December 1946. The tomb faces southeast and is enclosed by square-hewn stone blocks. The gravestone in front, inscribed with "Tomb of the Late Respected Mother, Madam Mao," was penned by Wu Jingheng, and reads: "Erected in tears by her son, Ching-kuo."

Original Site of Yupai Salt Shop

Located at the entrance of Dianchang Lane on West Zhongjie, Fenghao House, this was established in 1871 (the 10th year of the Qing Tongzhi reign) by Chiang Kai-shek’s grandfather, Jiang Yupai. The shop had three storefronts, a workshop in the back, and living quarters upstairs. It primarily sold salt, also brewed liquor, and dealt in rice, vegetable cakes, lime, and sundries. The business was later passed to his son, Jiang Su’an. On September 15, 1887 (the 13th year of the Guangxu reign), Chiang Kai-shek was born upstairs. After Su’an’s death, the eldest son, Jieqing, took over. Around 1919, the shop closed due to Jieqing leaving for other opportunities. It suffered two fires and was demolished and rebuilt in 1948, transformed into a walled compound with stone gates. Chiang Kai-shek inscribed "Original Site of Yupai Salt Shop," which is engraved on a stone placed at the base of the west wall and still remains today.

Cangshan Grand Bridge

Located to the west of the park, between Weijiazhuang and Shan, it spans the Shancheng River. Built in 1934, the bridge is 156 meters long and commonly called the "Foreign Bridge." From the Xuguang Pavilion in Wuling Park, one can see hundreds of streams rushing forth after rain, their waters turbulent and swift.

Wei Qin’s Tomb

Situated within the Wan Song Forest at the western end of Cuiping Mountain, now part of the Fenghua City Orchard and Horticulture Farm. Wei Qin (1120–1183), courtesy name Nanfu, was connected to the Yupai Salt Shop

A native of Shouchun, Anhui, he became a Jinshi (advanced scholar) in 1142 (the 12th year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song). He later served as Chief Clerk of the Taifu Temple and Minor Director of the Imperial Clan Court. In 1163 (the first year of the Longxing era), he was sent as an envoy to the Jin Dynasty and fulfilled his mission honorably. Upon his return, he was promoted to key positions such as Privy Councilor. After retiring, he was honored with the title of Grand Master of the Zizheng Hall and lived in Xiaoxi, Yin County, earning the nickname “Mr. Bixi.” He passed away in 1184 (the 11th year of the Chunxi era) and was posthumously titled Duke of Lu with the posthumous name Wenjie. In front of his tomb are stone statues of civil officials and horses. The nearby Changleguan Temple, built in 1183, was later renamed Chongfu Shrine and commonly called Weijiazhuang. Inside stands the "Spirit Way Stele" composed by Zheng Qingzhi, Right Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty, measuring 290 cm in length and 160 cm in width. Though the inscriptions have faded, the stele remains in the temple yard. In 1936, descendants of the Wei family who had relocated to Sheng County renovated the site and compiled "A Brief Account of Duke Wei Wenzhen." The offering platform, stone statues, and horses in front of the tomb were destroyed, leaving fragmented ruins overgrown and hard to discern. A poem by later generations, Xu Binwu’s "Visiting the Tomb of Prime Minister Wei," reads: "Lofty mountains gather, a solitary tomb stands stark; dust buries the minister who upheld Song, inscriptions praise the envoy to Jin. The whispering hills hold lingering tears, the stream’s voice mourns the old tung trees; thousand-year regrets of the Southern Dynasties now vanish with the east wind." The estate now serves as the site of the orchard and horticulture farm.

Address: Xikou Town, Fenghua City, Ningbo

Type: Mountain, Waterfall, Celebrity Former Residence

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Phone: 4001817718; 0574-88855555

Official Website: http://www.xikoutourism.com/

Opening Hours:

Chiang Family Former Residence: 7:45–17:30; Xuedou Mountain: 8:00–17:00

Ticket Information:

Chiang Family Former Residence: 120 RMB; Xuedou Mountain: 150 RMB. A combined ticket for both sites is 230 RMB (includes site entry and transportation), or 280 RMB (includes site entry, transportation, sightseeing train, and cable car).

Xikou Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Fenghua City. Established as Xikou Township in 1950, upgraded to town status in 1956, converted to a commune in 1958, re-established as a town in 1980, and incorporated three nearby townships—Jifengshan, Dongcun, and Dong’ao—in 1992. Located 13 km northwest of the municipal government. Covers an area of 134 km² with a population of 43,000. The Jiangba Highway runs through the town. Administrative villages include Xikou No.1 Village, Xikou No.2 Village, Xikou No.3 Village, Licun, Wai’cun, Rushanting, Yuxi, Shangbai, Wulin, Hushan, Shadi, Shanshan, Xinjian, Dong’ao, Wangga’ao, Chenjia, Shuimentou, Zhizhao, Xizhao, Thirty-Six Bends, Zhongfeng, Lantian, Dongjiang, … Detailed information about Xikou Town++