Dragon Sword Peak

Dragon Sword Peak

Dragon Sword Peak is located in the Tian Tang Zhai Scenic Area of Jinzhai County, Anhui. The scenic area covers a total area of 569 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 250.3 square kilometers and a buffer zone of 529.6 square kilometers. Dragon Sword Peak lies between Tian Ping Peak and Xie Yu Waterfall. The entire peak is rocky in structure and resembles a giant sword lying across the center of the scenic area, hence its name. The Dragon Sword Peak area combines unique pine trees, peculiar rocks, and sheer cliffs, and is famed for its ruggedness and wonder. Especially at the Dragon Spine, hikers must use both hands and feet to navigate. On Dragon Sword Peak, visitors can not only explore and challenge themselves but also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the pristine forests in the Western Wawa Core Reserve along the way.

Tian Tang Zhai has been a strategic military location since ancient times. In 570 BC, during the Zhou Dynasty, the Chu general Zichong attacked the Wu Kingdom, conquered Jiuci, and once reached this area. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, Wen Tianxiang resisted the Yuan Dynasty and sent Cheng Lun, a fellow scholar-official who passed the imperial examination with him, to the Dabie Mountains to organize the Western Volunteer Army. Fu Gao, a righteous villager from Duoyun Mountain, led locals in support, and in 1277 they rebuilt Tian Tang Zhai on Duoyun Mountain. However, their forces were later defeated and scattered. In the late Yuan Dynasty, local cloth merchant Xu Shouhui, Jiangxi monk Peng Yingyu, and Macheng blacksmith Zou Pusheng conspired to rebel against the Yuan. They appointed Xu as their leader and in 1351 rebuilt Tian Tang Zhai, gathering tens of thousands of followers to rise in revolt, calling themselves the “Red Turban Army.” In August of the same year, they captured Luotian, took Xishui, proclaimed the emperor at Qingquan Temple, established the state of “Tianwan,” and started the era name “Zhiping.” Their momentum was immense, sweeping through several southeastern provinces, establishing control over a region, and maintaining rule for 11 years. Relics left in Tian Tang Zhai such as Tian Tang Pool, Horse Racing Field, Coin Making Hollow, Xiaoyao Palace, Invincible Stele, and Divine Valley Granary can still be faintly seen. In the early Ming Dynasty, the Duoyun Patrol Inspectorate was set up, and garrisons were stationed for defense.

On a gentle slope of Dragon Sword Peak lies a massive rock big enough to seat 30 people. It has a crack running through it, resembling a surgical scar on a healing human body. The "Thunder-split Rock" has grown irregular scars, and right next to it is another crack of the same length. The upper part of the crack is about seven centimeters wide, and inside the gap are wedged several pebble-sized stones. Locals call this massive rock “Thunder-split Rock.” A legend is also told in nearby villages. According to the tale, the rock was originally an immortal in heaven who was banished to become a stone and landed in the valley of Yougu Shen Tan. Because its divine consciousness remained and it refused to accept the punishment, yet could do nothing about it, it vented its resentment on the villagers. It often harassed the villagers, drawing much complaint. A celestial being who was cultivating in Shimen Cave reported the matter to heaven, and the Thunder God was ordered to come to the demon rock. With a thunderous clap that shook the earth, he split the large boulder in two. Not long after the Thunder God returned to heaven, he heard reports that the demon rock was still causing trouble. At first, he didn’t believe it, but one report after another came in describing the rock’s misdeeds. He had no choice but to descend to investigate. To his surprise, the crack from the previous strike had completely healed. Furious, the Thunder God struck the rock again with another thunderclap and immediately picked up several pebbles to throw into the crack. Strangely enough, from then on, the demon rock never caused trouble again. The villagers lived in peace and prosperity, deeply grateful for the Thunder God’s act of eliminating harm for the people.