Xiaojiuhua Scenic Area

Xiaojiuhua Scenic Area

The Xiaojiuhua Scenic Area in Jixi County is located in the northeast of Jingzhou Township. Known for its secluded and picturesque landscapes, it is said to have been named after the “Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva of Jiuhuashan, who once practiced asceticism here.” The valleys are deep and winding, resembling several dragons converging. In the middle stands a hill where the river meanders and loops around, forming a peninsula-like shape that hosts the Kṣitigarbha Hall.

Across the river, a range of mountains forms a natural screen, with the Yinping Temple situated at the front. Nearby, there are two notable peaks: one located to the northeast of the hill, featuring steep, three-tiered cliffs that resemble overlapping towers and pavilions, with waterfalls cascading from above and a path for pedestrians below; the other to the northwest of the hill, where a rocky peak juts out beside a river bend—its tip sharp and leaning to one side, the middle full and gently curved, the base round and elongated—with grass growing midway like tassels. The curve resembles a knife, commonly known as the “Guanwang Knife.” The blade of the “knife” stands 39 meters high. On the face of the blade, four large ancient characters reading “Everlasting Through the Ages” were inscribed, but they have faded over time.

In the leap seventh month of the 27th year of the Republic of China (1938), a local resident named Hu Zhongwu funded the carving of the words “July 7th Memorial” on the rock. In October 1965, three villagers from Zhuangzi, including Zhang Bijing, painted a large slogan reading “Long Live China” across the rock face. The riverbanks feature interlocking rocks that form natural dams, along with numerous caves and deep pools, collectively referred to as the “Nine Wells and Eighteen Dams,” among which the Iron Cauldron Pool is the most famous.

During the Cultural Revolution, the halls, temples, and Buddha statues were all destroyed. Today, however, the beautiful mountains and waters remain intact, continuing to serve as an excellent destination for tourism and summer retreats. “A mountain need not be high to be spiritual if immortals dwell there; water need not be deep to be divine if dragons inhabit it.” Xiaojiuhua is not only renowned for the efficacy of its bodhisattvas, earning the trust of visitors from far and wide, but also famed for its pristine and elegant landscapes.

As one of China’s renowned mountains, Xiaojiuhua serves as the “natural botanical garden” of East China and a “paradise for wildlife.” The flora within the protected area is characterized by ancient lineages, transitional features, rich diversity, broad ecological connections, and a high concentration of rare species.

Among the 1,633 species of vascular plants across 192 families, there are 547 species of woody plants belonging to 241 genera in 89 families. Thirty-one of these are nationally protected rare and endangered species, whose populations are complex, diverse, and well-preserved. Examples include the Huangshan fir, southern hemlock, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Berchemiella wilsonii, silverleaf ternstroemia, and Litsea auriculata, which form single- or double-dominant forest communities in certain areas and maintain their original ecological states. These sites hold significant scientific research value and are ideal locations for biodiversity studies.

Jingzhou Township: Located on the outskirts of the Tianmu Mountain Range, Jingzhou Township in Jixi County is the most remote mountainous township in the county. Yet, thanks to its unique climate and geographical conditions, it is famous for its abundant production of hickory nuts. According to statistics, in 2006, the township had over 20,000 acres of hickory plantations, yielding more than 700 tons of dried nuts, with a total output value exceeding 24 million yuan. With a population of just over 7,100, the per capita income from hickory alone surpassed 3,000 yuan, making it the dominant industry of the township’s economy. … Jingzhou Township Detailed Information ++