Wild Man Fort

Wild Man Fort

Wild Man Fort. Wild Man Fort is a small town nestled against mountains and beside waters, historically a post road and ferry crossing. Verdant ridges stretch continuously, surrounded by valleys and streams, with emerald coves shrouded in mist and secluded winding paths—making it a scenic hub at the foot of Tianzhu Mountain. It features the ruins of Emperor Wu of Han’s worship platform and the Jingjia Bridge, the clear blue waters of the Qianshui River dotted with racing boats, as well as the renowned Sanzu Temple and the ancient Jueji Pagoda, where bells and drums echo, incense drifts ethereally, mountain reflections shimmer in the pools, and bridges span over quaint homes.

Sanzu Temple, located on Fengxing Mountain at the valley entrance north of Wild Man Fort, serves as the southern gateway to Tianzhu Mountain. In 505 AD, the eminent monk Baizhi from Dao Lin Temple in Jiankang (present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu), selected this site to build a temple, which Emperor Wu of Liang bestowed the name “Valley Temple.” In 509 AD, the third patriarch of Chinese Chan Buddhism, Sengcan, resided at Valley Temple and passed on his teachings to the fourth patriarch, Daoxin. In 745 AD, a pagoda was erected to enshrine Sengcan’s relics, and in 772 AD, Emperor Suzong of Tang granted the pagoda the name “Jueji” (Awakened Silence).

In the valley stream west of Sanzu Temple lies a massive rock resembling an entire ox, with distinct lines marking its head, back, belly, and legs. Kneeling by the stream, it appears as if it has just quenched its thirst with clear spring water, then lifted its head northward, as if listening to the temple bells and drums. An inscription on the ox’s back reads “A Wonder Under Heaven.” On the cliff north of the Stone Ox, there is a protruding ledge traditionally known as the study platform of Huang Tingjian, a renowned scholar of the Song Dynasty. Opposite this ledge on the southern cliff once stood a similar rocky overhang; the two cliffs, bridged by vegetation, formed a natural arch not quite a cave, hence the name “Stone Ox Ancient Cave.” This spot is not only picturesque but also famed for its dense, ancient cliff inscriptions and works by master calligraphers.

Nearby lies the Yingmeng Well, associated with a legend from the Tang Dynasty’s Tianbao era. Emperor Xuanzong reportedly dreamed of visiting this place, and upon waking, had his attendants record the dream. He then sent the imperial envoy Wang Yuebin to search the area based on the dream, who indeed found the well. Emperor Xuanzong named it “Yingmeng Well” (“Well of the Fulfilled Dream”). Though situated on high ground, the well neither overflows nor dries up—the clarity or murkiness of the Qianshui River mirrors that of the well water. When Envoy Wang Yuebin visited to offer prayers, he composed a poem: “Mist veils emerald coves, daylight yet unbroken; visitors linger here in awe. Who can ask the old man by the crag? He’d say the emperor’s dream led me here.”

Wild Man Fort was originally called Gukou (Valley Entrance). Its renaming to Ye Zhai (Wild Fort) stems from the Southern Song resistance led by Liu Yuan against the Yuan Dynasty. In the late Southern Song, most areas north of the Yangtze fell under Yuan control. Historical records note that Liu Yuan, styled Shuqing and nicknamed “Wild Man,” was a native of Meicheng, Qianshan. In 1275, Yuan forces attacked Anqing, and the city’s prefect, Fan Wenhu, surrendered, sparking outrage among soldiers and civilians. In 1277, the brave and strategic Liu Yuan initiated an uprising at Tianzhu Mountain, establishing camps and fortifications from Gukou to Xiguan—camps every five li and forts every ten li, with ceaseless troop movements. He coordinated with Song loyalists like Pacification Commissioner Zhang Dexing, repeatedly defeating Yuan troops and shielding over 100,000 civilians from devastation. Betrayed by a defector, the stronghold was eventually breached, and Liu Yuan died in battle. Emperor Xuanzong of Ming posthumously honored Liu Yuan as the “Great King Who Protected the Land” and renamed his former stronghold “Wild Man Fort.” Folklore also tells of ancient times when wild men allegedly roamed the area, harming people and livestock. A county magistrate lured them into a cave with strong wine, perishing with them—and thus the place earned the name “Wild Man Fort.”