Shengshan

Shengshan

Traveling over 10 kilometers northeast from the urban area of Cixi, you’ll come across a mountain that resembles a graceful eyebrow, lying across the lush Sanbei Plain. This is Shengshan, historically known as Xuannishan.

Along the old street at the foot of Shengshan, cross the ancient Desheng Bridge and wind your way westward, where you’ll be greeted by the Qi Jiguang Memorial Hall and Shengshan Chan Temple. Passing through the majestic mountain gate, within the temple grounds the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Goddess of the Sea Palace, and the Mahavira Hall are each nestled against the terrain. The yellow-walled halls, adorned with carved decorations, are majestic and splendid, their glazed tile roofs shimmering in the sunlight. Amid swirling incense and the sounds of bells, chimes, and Buddhist chants, the golden Buddha statues appear even more solemn. “Shengshan Laopopo,” like the Goddess of the Sea in the palace, wears an imperial crown and ceremonial robes, exuding dignity and benevolence. They seem to whisper tales of the ancients—fishing at sea, trading afar, reclaiming land from the sea, building stoves to boil salt, and defending against invaders. Exiting the temple halls and ascending eastward along the steps, you’ll find a pavilion perched on the rocky cliff, inscribed with the name: Victory Pavilion. Its pillars are engraved with: “Near mountains and distant waters all hold affection; the breeze and bright moon are truly priceless.” Pondering the couplet, pass through the pavilion and you’ll see a three-story building—the Qi Jiguang Memorial Hall, which displays photos and texts recounting the general’s great achievements.

Ascending the mountain road that winds around Shengshan, you’ll find the mountain covered in lush woods and blooming flowers. In the past, there were temples here, and temple fairs often featured martial arts contests. The martial-minded people of Shengshan feared nothing. During the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, the Xuannishan area was a frontline in the resistance against Japanese pirates, who repeatedly landed here to raid the coastal regions of Sanbei. Soldiers and civilians joined forces to defend their homeland and repel the enemy. Later, the mountain was renamed Shengshan in commemoration. In the 20th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang reign, during the Opium Wars, the British warship HMS Fengyuan landed and pillaged. The locals took up arms and encircled the British invaders, writing another chapter of victory. Today, dappled sunlight filters through the mountain’s mid-slopes, accompanied by the soft rustle of pine waves. The mountain has springs that flow year-round, winter and summer, and to the south lies the serene Immortal’s Cave, offering breathtaking scenery.