Heishan Mountain

Heishan Mountain

Heishan Mountain is located in the northern suburbs of Wuhu City, where the "Wenfeng Pagoda" stands as the highest point in Wuhu in terms of elevation. Bordered by the Yangtze River, the summit of Heishan offers a distant view of the mighty Yangtze, with dozens of miles of docks clearly visible, the Yangtze River Bridge just a stone’s throw away, and a sweeping panorama of Caogu Islet with its idyllic rural scenery.

The mountain is covered with lush forests and verdant shades, with ancient ginkgo trees towering above; over 240 kinds of precious wild herbs such as lingzhi and goji berries are scattered throughout the woods; a variety of fragrant flowering plants add splashes of color, making it the most densely forested, largest nursery-cultivated, and richest in wild medicinal herbs among the city’s natural treasures. At the foot of Heishan, the mighty river flows, and the mythically tinged river islet Caogu Islet is separated from the mountain by only a narrow strip of water, creating a picturesque scene.

At the southern foot of Heishan lies an ancient temple — Wangjiang Temple. It is said to have been the first stop of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva during his spiritual practice in Anhui before he later traveled to Zheshan and attained enlightenment on Jiuhua Mountain. In front of the temple stand two century-old ginkgo trees, tall and upright, flanking either side like open temple gates, welcoming the surging river that flows beneath them, evoking a majestic sense of awe-inspiring grandeur. At the summit of Heishan stands an ancient beacon tower, which legend says was built in 1132 (the second year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty) by the hawkish general Li Gang. Its purpose was to defend against the continued southern invasion of the Jin army by guarding the natural barrier of the Yangtze. From this tower atop Siheshan, soldiers could monitor enemy movements day and night and sound alarms at any time.

This sole beacon tower in southern Anhui has become a famous historical site in our city and serves as a vivid educational resource for patriotism and national defense among young people. Two kilometers further east lie the scenic Longtou Mountain and Fengming Lake. Longtou Mountain is covered in lush pines and bamboos, with well-trodden shaded paths crisscrossing the hills. The pine waves and bamboo tides of Zilong Peak rise and fall rhythmically; Phoenix Peak blooms with peach and pear blossoms, filled with birdsong and floral fragrance. The waters of Fengming Lake are clear and shimmering, forming a natural bathing spot. The lake teems with fish, allows for boating, and its central islet is the perfect place for leisure and recreation.