Longtang Mountain

Longtang Mountain

Located in the western parts of Zhoutou Township and Shunxi Town in the county, on the southeastern slope of Qingliang Peak and within the area of Longtang Mountain (bordering the Qingliang Peak Nature Reserve in Jixi and She counties, Anhui, with Qingliang Peak as the boundary), a provincial-level nature reserve was established here in August 1985. The core area spans 4,636 mu, with a forest coverage rate of around 95%. In...

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Longtang Mountain features a massive landform with undulating terrain. This unique microclimate provides favorable conditions for the survival and reproduction of various animals. Coupled with significant altitude variations, the vegetation shows distinct vertical distribution, harboring the richest forest animal resources in northwestern Zhejiang.

Longtang Mountain is the site of one of the “Ten Scenic Views of Tangchang,” namely “Misty Ridge in the Valley.” There are two Dragon Pools on Longtang Mountain, hence the name “Dragon Pond.” One is located at the mountain peak, covering over 200 mu; the other is about ten li from the upper pool, spanning more than ten mu.

The ruins of the ancient temple on Longtang Mountain are surrounded by stone forests that resemble layered clouds and rolling waves, presenting a truly unique landscape. Sites such as the Immortal’s Bath Pool, Heavenly Bridge and Gate, Arhat Cave, Dragon Cave, Yinbing (Shadow Soldiers) Cave, Buddha’s Palm Cave, and various karst caves are scattered throughout.

Since the Wei, Jin, and Liang dynasties, Longtang Mountain has been home to ancient temples. Legend has it that the Indian eminent monk, Monk Ba Zhang, traveled through four hundred regions, entered Zhejiang from Jianye, and rested at Longtang. To this day, the peak is still called “Ba Zhang” in his honor.

Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty also visited Longtang during the Xiantong era (361–373 AD). During the Song Dynasty, Monk Mingzhan entered Longtang in the Pingding era (1235). He cured the Empress Dowager’s breast ailment and was honored as the “Seventh Patriarch Dragon Rock Great Zen Master,” receiving a golden-woven kasaya. The Prince of Zhennan granted funds to purchase land and build a temple on about forty mu of land, naming the temple “Puji.” Mingzhan was also conferred the title of “Seventh Patriarch Guangying Miaozhu Great Virtue Zen Master.” To this day, there is a popular local legend about how Zen Master Mingzhan helped the monk Ji Gong transport timber to build the Jing Temple.