Miaodao Mountain

Miaodao Mountain

Miaodao Mountain is a national A-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Miaodao Mountain National Forest Park was established in September 1992 with the approval of the former Ministry of Forestry. The park is located in Yuexi County, in the heart of the Dabie Mountains, about 40 kilometers from the county seat. The scenic area covers nearly 3,000 hectares, with a forest coverage rate as high as 98%. Miaodao Mountain features typical mid-mountain topography, with mountain ridges forming the shape of two lions embracing each other, and its main peak, Juyun Peak, stands at an elevation of 1,465 meters.

The entire scenic area enjoys distinct seasons throughout the year, with a mild, cool, and moist climate. The average annual temperature is 14.2 degrees Celsius, and the highest summer temperature is only 24 degrees Celsius, making it a rare summer retreat in East China. Miaodao Mountain is currently divided into four major scenic areas: Zushi Jian, Ziliu Garden, Nanxi Yuan, and Juyun Peak, with over 110 developed attractions. The area boasts miraculous natural landscapes and a long-standing cultural heritage, renowned for its “majestic mountains, beautiful waters, serene valleys, and unique pines.”

The Juyun Peak scenic area features a variety of uniquely shaped pines and rocks. Visitors can climb the towering Stone Lion Howling at the Moon to admire the majestic, rugged, steep, and precipitous mountain scenery of Miaodao Mountain. On the hillside, there is the “Jade Rabbit Gazing at the Moon.” Legend has it that the jade rabbit from the moon palace fell in love with the mortal world, descended without permission, but missed the time to return to heaven. As a result, it has stayed on this hillside year-round, yearning for its days in the moon palace, filled with sorrow. In front of it lies the Panlong Cave, formed by nine massive rocks stacked together. Legend says it was once the dwelling place of a giant dragon. Crawling through the crevices into the cave, the winding and deep passage evokes a sense of eeriness and mystery. At the top of the cave hangs an ancient pine tree, resembling a crane stretching its neck and spreading its wings to soar through the clouds, hence named “Crane Soaring Pine.”

Walking along a gentle path for one kilometer, you will reach the foot of the main peak. The “Stone Lion Howling at the Moon” is right before your eyes—its uplifted head, strong front limbs, and majestic back resemble a huge lion crouching on the ground, raising its head to howl at the moon under the bright moonlight. The Qing Dynasty poet Wang Xiaoxuan once praised this magnificent scene with a poem: “The stone ox’s tracks are wondrous indeed, but the lion’s form and roar outshine even more. When wind blows and the moon shines on the fifteenth night, even the old monk startles and throws on his robe.” Further ahead lies a large rock called “Shamao Stone,” approximately 10 meters long and about 8 meters wide and high, closely resembling the black gauze cap worn by scholars in ancient operas. It is said that since the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, officials and nobles have ridden horses or sat in sedan chairs to come here specifically to burn incense and worship, praying for promotion. It is believed that their wishes always came true. From here, you can ascend the steps to reach Tianmen Platform, where the scenery changes beautifully with every step.

Ascending 50 meters from Tianmen Platform and the “Brotherhood Pine,” you will reach the Buddha-Worshipping Platform, the highest point accessible to visitors, at an elevation of 1,460 meters. Standing here, the steep main peak is just within reach, yet remains unclimbable to this day, with no one having ever reached its summit. Looking ahead, you will see the “Natural Stone Buddha,” who appears with a full forehead, slightly closed eyes, a straight nose bridge, a plump chin, and an elegant neck, exuding a kind and benevolent expression.

After rain when the sky clears, a seven-colored rainbow may occasionally appear, shrouding the top of the Buddha’s head—that is the magical Buddha’s Light, an auspicious sign of the stone Buddha’s manifestation. In the past, no matter who saw the Buddha’s Light, they would immediately bow down, as it was extremely rare to witness, believed to be visible only to those with fate. Hence, the platform is called the “Buddha-Worshipping Platform.” From here, you can look around in all directions—the Tianzhu Mountain to the southeast, the Sikong Mountain to the west, the Mingtang Mountain to the north, and the surrounding peaks and valleys—all come into view, evoking a sense of grandeur.

Zushi Jian Scenic Area: As the saying goes, “Famous mountains are often pioneered by monks,” and Miaodao Mountain is no exception. Historical records indicate that during the late Tang Dynasty, a high monk named Yixuan (867 AD–?), secular name Xia, came from West Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang (present-day Lin’an District) to Miaodao Mountain to build a hut for spiritual practice, preaching and teaching the scriptures. He was revered as the Patriarch of the Linji School, and the Southern Lineage of the Linji Sect he founded continues to thrive and spread overseas to this day. Because of his profound Linji teachings, generosity, and philanthropy, his disciples and followers held him in high esteem, praising his conduct as “Exquisite Light and Virtuous Path,” hence the mountain was named “Miaodao Mountain.” Later generations, in honor of this founding patriarch, named the mountain peak behind it “Zushi Jian” (Patriarch’s Peak) and the stone chamber where he meditated halfway up the mountain “Zushi Cave” (Patriarch’s Cave).

Jinbi Temple was first built in the early Northern Song Dynasty. Through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it endured many changes before being destroyed in a fire in 1941. During the Song Dynasty, the temple covered over 20 acres, with halls standing more than three zhang (approximately 10 meters) tall, divided into front, middle, and rear sections. The halls enshrined the Four Heavenly Kings, Eighteen Arhats, Twenty-Four Heavens, Tathagata, Guanyin, and the Patriarch Yixuan, all adorned with vibrant colors and lifelike expressions. Hanging prominently in the main hall was an imperial plaque inscribed with the four golden characters “Jinbi Chanlin” (Golden Wall Chan Forest), bestowed by Emperor Renzong. At its peak, the temple housed 800 monks and disciples, with incense smoke lingering year-round, morning and evening bells ringing, and a continuous stream of devout worshippers.

Today, the remaining stone Buddha, stone bathtub, stone benches, stone drums, stone steps, stone pillars, stone pagodas, stone coffins, and stone carvings still reflect the grandeur of the past. Legend has it that in the southeastern part of the temple grounds, there was a vast underground palace used by monks to hide treasures, scriptures, and take refuge. Within the palace lies a treasure shaped like a three-legged cauldron, about two meters square, containing fuel for lighting. The flame is said to never extinguish, known as the “Stone Heavenly Lamp,” or “Ten-Thousand-Year Lamp” among locals. Originally, there was a seven-story pagoda on the ground with a hidden door connecting to the underground palace, the mechanisms of which remain unknown to outsiders.

The hillside to the east of the temple foundation is densely planted with pines and firs, presenting a lush green view. The “Listening to Waves Pavilion” built among the mountains is an ideal spot to enjoy the sound of pine waves. Whenever the mountain breeze blows, the pines rustle softly or roar loudly, creating a heavenly melody that refreshes the mind and lifts the spirit, offering a truly unique experience. Further ahead lies a stone pagoda called “Zhenlong Pagoda.” According to ancient feng shui principles, this hillside is located to the left of Jinbi Temple, thus referred to as the “Green Dragon Hill.” To prevent the green dragon from causing trouble, a pagoda was erected to suppress it. Beside the pagoda is a stone coffin named “Feilai Yu Chen” (Flying Jade Coffin), about 1 meter long and roughly one foot wide and high, with a solemn appearance and exquisite carvings. The front bears the “卍” character (pronounced “wan,” symbolizing good fortune), and the back features lotus flowers, while the coffin lid is engraved with cloud patterns. Judging by the stone’s quality, it is clearly not local, hence it is regarded as having “flown” here.

Behind Jinbi Temple, enter the Zushi Gate and follow the stone steps to directly ascend Zushi Jian. Along the way, you will encounter attractions such as Peacock Stone, Linji Pagoda, and Zushi Cave. The Linji Pagoda, standing 3.5 meters tall with three levels and six sides, features lotus leaf patterns on each side, with carved lotus petals serving as the base. Since the lotus “emerges unstained from the mud,” symbolizing purity, this pagoda was built by later generations to commemorate its virtues.

Located halfway up the mountain, Zushi Cave, according to the Qianshan County Annals, was where Patriarch Yixuan resided and practiced during his time in the mountain. Beside the cave is a small well from which the patriarch drew water to drink. The spring seeps through a rock fissure as thin as a thread, originally clear and transparent, but turns a reddish hue upon touching the stone wall, as if drops of rouge were falling from the crevice, hence anciently called “Stone-Dripping Immortal Fat,” one of the scenic wonders of Miaodao Mountain. Zushi Jian is the second highest peak of Miaodao Mountain, at an elevation of 1,432 meters, surrounded by clustered peaks, with mist rolling like a veil. The road winds like an elegant jade ribbon tied casually around the mountainside, forming a naturally beautiful landscape painting.

Nanxi Yuan is the largest scenic area of Miaodao Mountain, stretching approximately 5 kilometers. With its beautiful forest scenery, emerald pools, and stunning water landscapes, it resembles an unbroken ink-wash landscape scroll, earning it the reputation of the “Ten-Li Painting Gallery.” Nanxi Yuan is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, with the currently developed upper section extending from Miaodao Mountain Villa to Xiangfei Pool, about 1 kilometer long.

Nanxi Yuan is characterized by its surrounding mountains and flowing waters, featuring waterfalls and springs with distinctive charm. The “Silver Cascade” is the first water feature in Nanxi Yuan, with a drop of about 30 meters. Silvery white mountain spring water cascades down from a height, scattering like light silk, drifting gracefully into a deep pool. The outlet is shaded by green trees and surrounded by flowers and grass, making the waterfall particularly vibrant and lively. The “Nine-Turn Flying Emerald” is a 58-meter-high waterfall where the water flows down in layers, sometimes converging, sometimes separating, twisting and turning with endless charm. The countless tiny droplets splashing down barely wet the clothes, silently nourishing everything, resembling a drizzle in a clear sky—an amusing sight. The “Chuanxin Waterfall” flows down from the rock top before suddenly splitting into three white streams, forming a giant Chinese character “川” (river), hence its name.

Flowing downstream from the Chuanxin Waterfall is the Xiangfei Valley, named after the fourth prince of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty and the talented beauty Xiangfei, who once lived in seclusion here. It leans against the main peak to the north and connects to Xiakou to the south, stretching 4.5 kilometers in depth. The valley is flanked by steep mountains, ancient trees, and gnarled vines, exuding a pristine atmosphere.

Xiangfei Valley is a paradise for plants, boasting an exceptionally rich variety of species. For example, the tall Xiangguoshu tree with red stems and green leaves is a second-class protected plant in China. Such a concentrated and large-scale growth of this species is extremely rare nationwide. The middle and lower sections of Nanxi Yuan are mostly deep pools and waterfalls, collectively known as the “Nine Waterfalls and Thirteen Pools,” with notable ones including the Jade Cup Pool, Zhenyin Pool, Feilong Waterfall, and Riyue Waterfall.

The Ziliu Garden scenic area features famous attractions such as a forest bathing ground, Qisong Valley, Moon Reflected in the Heavenly Pool, Ziliu Garden, and Natural Stone Mirror. Qisong Valley is an excellent viewing spot. Standing on the Pine-Viewing Platform, you can admire the magnificent forest landscape of Miaodao Mountain. The tall and ancient Huangshan pines are scattered among the woods or stand atop cliffs, some straight as flagpoles, others curved like dragons, with branches like iron bones and canopies like parasols—each one showcasing the beauty of nature’s creation. Moreover, with the changing seasons, the scenery varies, embodying the saying: “In spring, mountain flowers bloom in a riot of colors; in summer, dense shade covers the mountains; in autumn, forests turn into a palette of colors; in winter, snow weighs down the pines, draped in silver.”

The Millennium Purple Willow Garden is a high-altitude wetland, with an average elevation of 1,080 meters, home to over 1,300 purple willow trees, the oldest of which exceeds a thousand years in age. Possessing these three “thousands” (a thousand-year-old wetland growing a thousand ancient purple willows), it is hailed by the domestic tourism industry as a “Unique Wonder of China” and is one of the essence attractions of Miaodao Mountain. This wetland, with its unique microclimate, nurtures purple willows and other species, forming a complete high-altitude wetland ecosystem.

The purple willows in the garden belong to the Salix genus of the Salicaceae family, a moisture-tolerant deciduous tree. Measurements show that the oldest tree is 1,280 years old, truly a genuine ancient and famous tree. This rare “living fossil” resource, with its unique scientific research value, attracts numerous scientists for visits and studies every year. The thousand-year-old purple willows, infused with the essence of heaven and earth and having witnessed the vicissitudes of history, mostly grow twisted and gnarled, ancient and majestic, each a natural bonsai. The entire purple willow forest is like a naturally formed grand bonsai garden—“Drunken Taibai,” “Four Generations Under One Roof,” “Sunny Snow in the Willow Garden”—each tree unique, offering endless fascination to those who stroll through it.