Xijing Mountain

Xijing Mountain

Xijing Mountain is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Xijing Mountain is the birthplace of the Chinese idiom "rising again from Dongshan" (meaning making a comeback). To the east of Xijing Mountain lies a mountain called Dongshan (East Mountain). Historical records state that Xie An, the "charming prime minister" of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, once lived in seclusion here before re-emerging to serve the nation. He successfully commanded the "Battle of Fei River" and left an indelible mark in history. The idiom "rising again from Dongshan" originated from this story.

Located in Jixian Village in the northeast of Lin’an City, Xijing Mountain belongs to the Tianmu Mountain range in western Zhejiang. It is the finest part of the national-level Qing Shan Lake Forest Park. With its main peak standing at an elevation of 413 meters, it is the highest among the scenic areas around Qing Shan Lake. Known for its stunning landscapes, serene environment, and rich cultural heritage, it has been a renowned scenic spot since ancient times.

Situated at the terminal range of the Tianmu Mountains, Xijing Mountain boasts lush vegetation and well-preserved ecology, with a forest coverage rate of 98%. Its subtropical forest area preserves numerous ancient and rare trees, such as silverleaf willow, leopard-skin camphor, Chinese toon, fragrant maple, purple nanmu, and photinia. Among these, the silverleaf willow and Shuanglin purple nanmu are the most precious, both being thousand-year-old trees that can only be found on Xijing Mountain today. The mountain forests, consisting of vast stretches of pine, fir, bamboo, broadleaf forests, and many ancient trees, create a fragrant plant landscape that changes with the seasons.

The water features of Xijing Mountain are diverse and enchanting, especially the 100-meter-high waterfall. The presence of a lake at the mountaintop adds to its wonder. As the terminal range of the Tianmu Mountains in western Zhejiang, Xijing Mountain serves as a convergence point for numerous water sources. There are five large and small lakes at the mountaintop and foothills, along with dozens of pools, ponds, and waterfalls, too many to enumerate.

Among them, the Three Lakes of Xijing—Shuanglin Lake, Biyun Lake, and Qin Lake—are naturally formed, with water that remains emerald green like jade all year round. The most breathtaking is the Xiayu Rock Waterfall (referred to by ancient people as the “Jade Pouring from the Milky Way”), which has a drop of over 100 meters. The waterfall cascades like flowing jade, displaying a majestic momentum. It has been a famous scenic waterfall since ancient times and has inspired numerous poetic verses.

Shuanglin Temple, nestled in a small mountain basin, was first built during the Tiancheng era (926–930) of the Later Tang Dynasty. Initially named Baolin Temple, it was renamed Shuanglin Temple by Emperor Yingzong’s decree during the Zhiping era (1064–1067) of the Northern Song Dynasty. Having experienced cycles of prosperity and decline, the temple’s main hall has now collapsed, but its foundation, steps, stone pedestals of the halls, ancient lion statues, and pagoda forest still maintain a clear and intact overall structure, with abundant surface cultural relics.