The Grand Suspended Waterfall of Eastern Zhejiang

The Grand Suspended Waterfall of Eastern Zhejiang

Also known as the Grand Suspended Waterfall of Eastern Zhejiang, it is located within the Liangwang Mountain Scenic Area in Ninghai County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. This waterfall was once the essential path that Emperor Liang Xuan took when ascending the mountain during his military encampment at Liangwang Mountain. The canyon scenery is dominated by a series of waterfalls, presenting a grand and majestic spectacle.

The waterfall area includes attractions such as the Divine Turtle Escort, Hundred Creatures Listening to Scriptures, Monkeys Worshiping Guanyin, the Heart-Cleansing Pool, the Mysterious Character Waterfall, the Peacock Waterfall, the Rainbow Waterfall, and the Seven Immortals Flying Waterfall. Visitors can gaze at the Tianmen Waterfall from afar and make wishes for health, love, and career at the Wish Pool. They can also step onto the "Mounting Stone," which was trodden by both Emperor Liang Xuan and the traveler Xu Xiake, to pray for continuous good fortune. Playing at the Qingyun Spring allows one to experience the ups and downs of life, while landscapes like Hundred Creatures Listening to Scriptures and the Heart-Cleansing Pool offer a taste of life’s philosophical depths.

Divine Turtle Escort: Legend has it that when Emperor Liang Xuan was ascending the mountain, he chose to walk through the stream due to the rugged mountain path. However, the stones in the water were covered in slippery moss, causing him to slip and fall into the water. At that moment, rocks from upstream began to roll down toward him. Just as the rocks were about to hit him, a miracle occurred — he suddenly stood up from the water. It turned out he was standing on the back of a giant silver turtle, with a golden turtle by his side providing protection. These two divine turtles blocked the falling rocks, saving the emperor’s life. Later, people learned that Emperor Liang Xuan was a “dragon lying in wait,” and his presence infused the mountain with an imperial aura. The two divine turtles from the East Sea were drawn to this aura and arrived just in time to save him. Despite enduring years of weathering, the turtles still stand proudly and vividly, embodying a remarkable spirit.

Hundred Creatures Listening to Scriptures: This is the first attraction of the Grand Suspended Waterfall of Eastern Zhejiang. "Hundred Creatures" refers to the animals of the mountain, and the name signifies the scene where various animals are gathered to listen to sermons. Here, a unicorn rhinoceros is depicted bowing its head over the water, its horn raised and ears pricked. Though it may look ready to charge, it is actually a rhinoceros spirit deeply engrossed in Buddhist teachings, listening quietly to Guanyin Bodhisattva’s sermon above.

Monkeys Worshiping Guanyin: A large monkey stands still, attentively listening to Guanyin Bodhisattva’s teachings. Clearly marked on its forehead is the character “王” (king), signifying that it is the monkey king. If even the monkey king comes to listen to the scriptures, how could his monkey subjects dare not to?

Heart-Cleansing Pool: Legend has it that at the foot of Liangwang Mountain, there was a “Gongtai Academy” that produced a scholar capable of reciting the Four Books and Five Classics backward. Yet, despite his knowledge, he repeatedly failed the imperial exams and lived in poverty. One day, he came to Liangwang Mountain, intending to hang himself from a tree. At that moment, an old monk descended from the mountain. The monk asked, “Amitabha, may I ask why such a young man would seek to end his life?” The scholar replied, “Despite my vast knowledge, I’ve failed the exams time and again. My family is destitute because of my studies, and my wife and children suffer alongside me. I have no face left to live in this world!” The monk smiled and said, “This is simple. Just follow me to wash your hands in this spring. When you return, you will surely pass the exams and become a zhuangyuan (top imperial scholar).” The scholar was skeptical, but the monk added, “The waters of Liangwang Stream are imbued with imperial energy. Washing your heart here will allow you to absorb that energy, ensuring smooth sailing upon your return.” The scholar then asked, “How can washing hands cleanse the heart?” The monk chuckled and replied, “Have you not heard that the heart and fingers are connected?” Half-believing, the scholar bent down to wash his hands. He also asked the monk’s dharma name, to which the monk replied, “One Mind.” A year later, the scholar indeed became the top imperial scholar and was appointed as an official elsewhere. He often thought about the monk’s words, feeling puzzled. He also wished to thank the monk who saved him. Before departing, he returned to the pool and met the monk again, pouring out all his doubts: Could the water of Liangwang Mountain really be so magical? Why would washing hands in this pool lead to success? The monk laughed heartily but did not answer directly, saying instead, “Everything arises from the mind. When you bent down to wash your hands, you exhaled the turbid qi from your chest and inhaled the fresh air of Liangwang Stream, allowing you to sense the imperial energy. This is a process of exhaling and inhaling. With this energy, you gained momentum, and with momentum, strength — strength that was your own. You passed the exams through your own efforts. A heart of righteousness is the source of all things.” After speaking, the monk stepped onto the stairs and disappeared. The scholar rushed to the platform but found no trace of the monk. He searched the entire Liangwang Mountain but couldn’t find him. Vaguely, he saw the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva on the mountain and suddenly realized — it was the compassionate Guanyin who had saved him and taught him the principles of being a good person and an official. Since then, people have believed even more strongly that Liangwang Mountain is a mountain of transformation. The “Gongtai Academy” at the foot of the mountain flourished, influencing many and producing numerous notable figures from Ninghai, such as Hu Sansheng, who proofread the Zizhi Tongjian; Tong Bochui (Tong Baoxuan), commander-in-chief of the Zhejiang revolution during the Xinhai Revolution; and Hong Mai, the third son of Hong Hao, Ninghai’s chief clerk, whose work Rongzhai Suibi became one of Chairman Mao’s favorite books — he read it fifteen times and was still reading it fourteen days before his death.

Guanyin Scripture Platform is a natural niche where Guanyin Bodhisattva is seated, delivering sermons. This is an ancient jade statue of Guanyin, quite aged, with its mottled surface serving as evidence of the passage of time. It is said that a Japanese monk once tried to buy the statue for a high price, but the locals refused to sell it, believing that Liangwang Mountain is under Guanyin’s protection. It is precisely because Guanyin preaches and enlightens beings here that the Hundred Creatures come to listen.

Lion and Elephant Auspiciousness: Liangwang Mountain exudes spiritual energy, guarded by a divine elephant. The white elephant stands atop the mountain, trunk extended, one tusk visible, eyes fixed intently on the mountain, safeguarding all creatures. A loving lion couple is also present — the female lion drinks water with her head turned left, while the male lion looks to the right, vigilant and protective. They lean on each other, supported mutually. Even Guanyin was moved by their bond and chose not to separate them, instead transforming and enshrining them here to guide visitors to the best scenic spots: standing on the backs of these lions, one can see two waterfalls — the one on the right is called the “Long Flow Waterfall,” symbolizing a long-lasting, continuous flow of water and representing the overflow of the Tianmen Waterfall. The one on the left offers a full view of the “Seven Immortals Flying Waterfall.”

Seven Immortals Flying Waterfall: Here you’ll find the characters “可观” (observable), marking the spot where Xu Xiake once viewed the waterfall. Further inside is the “Zhi Guan Pool.” According to the Yin Chi Ru Jing scripture, the two fundamental human afflictions are ignorance and desire, and their remedies are cessation and contemplation. In Mahayana Buddhism, the importance of cessation and contemplation only grows. Cessation (samatha), transliterated as shemoti, means to cease delusion and achieve a meditative state of undisturbed mind. Contemplation (vipasyana), transliterated as piposhe, means to contemplate all dharmas, thereby gaining wisdom for liberation. Emperor Liang Xuan sat in meditation and contemplation at the “Cessation-Contemplation Platform,” eventually grasping the true meaning. His consort, who accompanied him and practiced with her hair bound, also meditated at Liangwang Mountain. By contemplating all dharmas, she let go of attachment to the court and instead gathered imperial strength, eventually achieving imperial glory.

Qi Gan Slope: As the name implies, “Qi” refers to sensation, and “gan” to energy or aura. So what kind of aura can be felt here? Air currents from the South Pacific converge here, forming a unique energy field. The blending of these airflows results in exceptionally fresh air in the area.

Jing Xin Valley: "Jing Xin" means calming the mind, complementing the earlier Qi Gan experience, forming a form of wellness practice and two methods of Buddhist cultivation. Legend has it that when Xu Xiake arrived at the foot of Liangwang Mountain, he asked a local villager, “Why is this place called Liangwang?” The local explained that Emperor Liang Xuan once stayed here and later became emperor, hence the name “Liangwang.” He also mentioned that Liangwang Temple was bestowed by the emperor, and the Liangwang Chan (repentance text) originated here. Behind the temple, Liangwang Mountain is home to immortals, with beautiful scenery often frequented by monks and scholars — though it was also home to tigers, making solo entry dangerous. Skeptical yet intrigued, Xu Xiake set off alone, carrying only a paper umbrella. Along the way, he encountered blooming flowers, towering ancient trees, rippling peaks and waters, striking rocks, birds singing in the woods, and murmuring streams — all filling him with joy and a sense that “both the landscape and human mood shared a cheerful spirit.” But as he became immersed in the beauty, he suddenly felt a chill and, looking ahead, gasped in shock — a white-striped tiger loomed nearby. Thinking quickly, Xu Xiake opened his oil-paper umbrella, and at that moment, a thunderous bell-like sound echoed from the mountain. The tiger, having never seen such a “huge creature” or heard such a startling noise, retreated in fear. Seizing the moment, Xu Xiake closed the umbrella and climbed the nearest tree. Later, monks from Liangwang Temple and villagers drove the tiger away and rescued him. That night, Xu Xiake reflected: his great journey had barely begun, yet he faced such danger. Venturing thousands of miles would bring even more uncertainties. And so, he decided to leave something behind during his travels. Thus began the first chapter of Xu Xiake’s Travel Diaries... To avoid worrying his family, he intentionally omitted the tiger encounter in his writings. In truth, the divine tiger of Liangwang Mountain meant no harm, and Xu Xiake’s encounter was merely a close call. The tiger still exists today, transformed into a stone guardian of the mountain.

Ling Quan Pool, also known as “Butterfly Spring.” The flowing waters above and below resemble a butterfly’s antennae, while the pool itself forms the butterfly’s wings and twin tail fins — isn’t this a butterfly mid-flight? Looking up from here, you can also see two small waterfalls flowing down either side of a large rock — that’s “Yuan Playing with Two Dragons.” As the saying goes, “a dragon has nine sons, each different,” and both the yuan (soft-shelled turtle) and the dragon are considered dragon offspring.

General’s Pool: When Emperor Liang Xuan camped here with his troops, a General Tian Shi who accompanied him would fish here after daily military drills. Hence, it was later named General’s Pool. Today, a statue of General Tian Shi is enshrined at Liangwang Temple at the mountain’s base, and some say the city god of Ninghai is none other than General Tian Shi. “Rainbow Waterfall” is the second-largest waterfall in the scenic area. Its waters cascade in a straight vertical line, like a white silk ribbon hanging diagonally on the mountainside, with water droplets splashing and playful beads occasionally spraying toward you. When sunlight hits, a rainbow arches over it, creating a stunning scene aptly named “Water Greets Mountain Entering Painted Screen” — the name Rainbow Waterfall is truly well-deserved.

Fang Xin Valley: Above it lies the “Fang Xin Pool.” “Fang” means to let go, and in life, all suffering stems from an inability to release attachments. Buddhist practice especially emphasizes “letting go.” The modern eminent monk Master Xuyun said, “To practice, one must let go of everything to enter the path. Otherwise, efforts are in vain. Know that the original nature of all beings is wondrously bright, originally no different from that of the Buddhas. What does letting go of everything mean? It means letting go of the six internal sense bases, the six external sense objects, and the six consciousnesses — the eighteen realms in total. In short, one must let go of body, mind, and the world, for all are like dreams, like lightning, like dew — nothing to cling to. Clinging turns into obstacles. Therefore, all must be let go.” The “six sense bases” refer to the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, each with its function, serving as the foundation of consciousness. The “six sense objects” are the six realms: form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma. The “six consciousnesses” are the mind’s responses to the six objects — sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and thought — collectively called the eighteen realms, all of which must be released. As the Buddhist saying goes, “Drop the butcher’s knife, and instantly become a Buddha.” Only by letting go of distractions can one attain enlightenment. Our lives are much the same — we often find ourselves unable to let go of certain things, fixating on them and stagnating. In truth, we simply haven’t learned how to let go. Let go of the worries from political life, business, literature, or the workplace. Don’t look back or fret over gains and losses. Don’t dwell on external pressures or the honors, losses, joys, sorrows, and thoughts imposed by society or yourself. Allow the mind to become clear and tranquil. Letting go is not giving up. Only by releasing the mind can you gain clarity. When you pick up again, you will progress further and reach new heights. Master Hanshan once said, “What is the way upward? Only by letting go. Without letting go, how can one ascend?” Just like this stream of water — turbulent above, calm in the middle, then turbulent again below.

Mysterious Character Waterfall: Two paths ultimately lead to the same destination, but the journeys differ greatly. The left path is called “Chaotianmen 70 Steps,” symbolizing taking seventy steps toward the heavens.