Longwen Yundongyan

Longwen Yundongyan

Longwen Yundongyan is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Yundongyan is located 20 li (approximately 10 kilometers) east of Zhangzhou City. The mountain is formed by layers of uniquely shaped, intricately formed massive rocks, each with its own distinct character. Among the gaps in the rocks, there are countless deep caves and stone chambers. According to the Zhangzhou Prefecture Records: “There is a stone chamber over ten feet deep and wide. When rain is about to come, clouds emerge from within; when the sky clears, the clouds return. Hence the name ‘Yundong’ (Cloud Cave).” It is said that during the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, a man named Qian Weng raised cranes in the stone chambers, and the cranes often flew and sang on the mountain. Locals who saw this also called it “Heming Mountain” (Crane-crying Mountain).

During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, Cai Lie once lived in seclusion in these stone chambers. Cai Lie was the son of Cai Hao, the Prefect of Qiongzhou, with the courtesy name Wenji, and was a native of Longxi. The Ming History described him as “eager to learn in his youth and untiring in his old age,” possessing noble character. After retiring to Yundong, he gave lectures in the mountains. Though a commoner, he attracted many students and was honored as “Master Hefeng.” Scholars from all directions increasingly came to visit, raising Yundongyan’s reputation and leading to a growing number of inscriptions by notable figures, turning it into a renowned forest of steles in southern Fujian.

The earliest known inscription at Yundongyan dates back to the Five Dynasties period, consisting of eight large characters written by the eccentric Daoist Xu La: “Xu La came here in search of the Reclining Moon Son.” According to the Scenic Sites Records: “Xu La claimed to be from Gaoyang. He traveled through Jingxiang, Jianghuai, Wuyi, Huotong, and everywhere else, leaving inscriptions in unreachable places on rocky cliffs, saying: ‘Xu La came here from Emei in search of the Reclining Moon Son.’”

Feng Xi from Yin County, Zhejiang, ranked second (as Zhuangyuan’s runner-up or Tanhua) in the Hongzhi-era imperial examinations, was appointed as an editor at the Hanlin Academy, and later served as a Lecturer and Academician. In the early Jiajing era, due to disagreements over ceremonial protocols, he was exiled to Zhenhai Wei (now Longhai). From then on, he avoided officialdom and devoted himself to teaching. In October of the Jiajing Dinghai year, admiring Cai Lie’s reputation, he visited Yundongyan and stayed for half a year, reluctant to leave, leaving behind numerous ink writings. There are two large cliff inscriptions on the mountain: one is Feng Xi’s “Record of Hefeng Yundong,” which details the scenic wonders of Yundong; the other is Lin Da’s “Sequel to the Record of Hefeng Yundong.” There are also Feng Xi’s inscriptions such as “Xiawo” (Sunset Nest), “Xianliang” (Immortal Beam), “Depeng” (Making Friends), and “Fengdong” (Wind Movement), as well as Zhu Xi’s “First among Streams and Mountains” and “Secluded Stone Chamber.” The calligraphy of these two masters has been included in multiple pages of Emperor Qianlong’s “Three Rarities Hall Calligraphy Collection.”

Near the Yundongyan temple lies the “Crane Room,” where Qian Weng raised cranes and where Cai Lie lived in seclusion. Inside, there is a stone stele with seal script reading: “Spirit Tablet of Master Cai Hefeng.” The walls also bear an excerpt from the Book of Changes. A few dozen steps away from the “Crane Room” lies Cai Lie’s tomb. An epitaph by An Linlun reads: “Hefeng Mountain rises a thousand ren, the Long River curves in a single bend, amidst them lies a mound, and the man is like jade,” praising Cai Lie’s noble character.

According to preliminary statistics, there are over 200 discovered inscriptions at Yundongyan, including large-character inscriptions, poems, essays, and couplets. From the Five Dynasties to the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, many notable individuals left their calligraphy here, in styles including running script, regular script, cursive script, and seal script—truly a dazzling and overwhelming sight.

Many of the calligraphic works are unique and bold, such as those by the Master Zhu Xi, Academician Feng Xi, Examination Official Lin Da, Regional Governor Zhou Ying, Minister Lu Wan, Prefect Zhang Peng, classical scholar Wang Shenzhong, Examination Champion Chen Changxia, and Zhuangyuan Ma Fushu. These works are quite representative, making Yundongyan a truly valuable forest of steles.

As for the scenic wonders of Yundong, both the earlier and later “Records” provide detailed accounts, so there’s no need to elaborate further. Only the “Thousand-People Cave” is worth mentioning. Its depth is unfathomable, the entrance is narrow, and one must crawl to enter. It was once a refuge during times of chaos. Hu Mei wrote: “Heaven created this rocky cave to shelter a thousand people, tucked away in a secluded spot isolated from worldly dust. Who knows how many generations have passed? The cave entrance still guards its idle clouds.” Feng Xi wrote: “A single rock forms a house for a thousand people, heaven’s craftsmanship reveals too much. The sea wind cannot break through it—it must be waiting for the wild clouds to return.”

Therefore, Yundongyan is a popular tourist destination. A local folk proverb in Zhangzhou says: “Visit Zizhi in spring, Yundong in summer, Baiyun in autumn, and Shishi in winter.”

Transportation

1. Bus: Take bus routes 1, 23, Sightseeing Line 1, or Sightseeing Line 2 in the urban area to reach Yundongyan Scenic Area.

2. Intercity Bus: Zhangzhou Passenger Transport Center or Long-distance Bus Station.

3. Train: Zhangzhou East Railway Station or Zhangzhou Railway Station.

Ticket

Free admission

Opening Hours

6:00 AM – 6:30 PM (Summer hours: 7:30 PM)

Location

Caiban Village, Lantian Town, Longwen District, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province (G324)

Caiban Community: Caiban Village is located at the foot of the provincial scenic spot — Yundongyan Mountain. It is the eastern gateway of Lantian Town, Longwen District, with the Welcome Avenue passing through it. To the north lies the Yundongyan Scenic Area, and to the south is the Jiulong River, offering very convenient transportation. The village has a total of over 900 acres of arable land, seven natural villages, and 21 villager groups. Its main industries include wood processing, transportation, tourism, and service sectors. Since the launch of the Striving for Excellence campaign, the Caiban Village Party General Branch has focused its efforts on innovative thinking and strict implementation, adhering to the principle of “grasping both tasks and ensuring both are done well,” effectively driving the rapid economic development of Caiban... More details about Caiban Community ++