Jiuhou Mountain Scenic Area

Jiuhou Mountain Scenic Area

Jiuhou Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Jiuhou Mountain is located about twenty li northwest of Zhao’an County. It became a popular destination for sightseeing and Buddhist worship during the Tang Dynasty, and gained widespread fame by the Song Dynasty. According to the Song-era *Zhangzhou Gazetteer*, Yu the Great’s lesser son was enfeoffed in Kuaiji, and his descendants migrated to Fujian, where they died and became deities, each presiding over a mountain—hence the name Jiuhou Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, towering cliffs bear the two characters “Heaven Opened” (天开), beneath which two massive rocks form a natural gateway. Passing through the “Heaven-Opened Stone Gate” and turning northeast along a winding path, visitors can see four large characters carved into the cliff face by the Yuan Dynasty monk Faming Wú’ài: “Jiuhou Famous Mountain” (九侯名山), along with inscriptions by many calligraphers from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Further east, a massive rock resembling a human figure stands atop the mountain, flanked by smaller stones shaped like vases and jars—this is the “Three Jewels of Guanyin” (观音三宝石). Beneath these “Three Jewels” lies the Jiuhou Zen Temple. This ancient temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt in the fifth year of the Chunyou era (1245) during the Song Dynasty, and renovated twice during the Qing Dynasty under Emperors Qianlong and Guangxu, with steles erected to commemorate each restoration. The temple’s mountain gate bears the three characters “Great Famous Mountain” (大名山) on its stone plaque. Inside the main hall hangs a plaque inscribed with “The Repository of Purified Hearts” (洗心之藏), written by Huang Daozhou.

Jiuhou Mountain is an extension of the Wushan Mountain range, comprising nine major peaks, the highest being Tianzhu Peak. Spanning over ten square li, the area features undulating ridges and rolling mist. It became a popular destination for sightseeing and Buddhist worship during the Tang Dynasty, and gained widespread fame by the Song Dynasty.

Midway up the mountain lies the Jiuhou Zen Temple, originally built in the Tang Dynasty and renovated in the fifth year of the Chunyou era (1245) during the Song Dynasty, the ninth year of the Qianlong era (1744) during the Qing Dynasty, and during the Guangxu era (1875–1908). It is one of Zhao’an’s principal temples, commonly known as Jiuhou Rock. The front hall’s right side features the Sea-Viewing Tower (望海楼), offering panoramic views of misty waves and tree-covered landscapes, like a painting. Nearby Fusheng Rock (福胜岩), with its unique scenery, has long been a retreat for scholars and recluses. In front of the temple lies the Five Scholars’ Study Room (五儒书室), a natural stone chamber that can accommodate dozens of people. In the second year of the Qingyuan era (1196) during the Southern Song Dynasty, when “pseudo-learning” was banned, five scholars—Zhao Jiake of Jinling, Wu Zhongqiu of Linting, and others—came here to live in seclusion and teach, hence the name. At the mountain’s base is a large cave called Chen Diao Cave (陈吊洞), traditionally believed to have been a stronghold of Chen Diaoyan, a leader of the Han and She ethnic uprisings in Fujian at the turn of the Song and Yuan dynasties. The cliffs also bear the four characters “Jiuhou Famous Mountain,” inscribed in 1307 during the Yuan Dynasty by the monk Wú’ài, along with calligraphic works by famous figures such as Wang Shipeng (Song Dynasty), Feng Rufang (Ming Dynasty), and Huang Daozhou.

Visitors ascending the mountain along the stone steps will see the grand characters “Jiuhou Famous Mountain” (九侯名山) carved into the cliff face above the mountain gate. These bold, powerful characters were written by the renowned Yuan Dynasty monk Wú’ài. Entering the gate, two sheer stone walls rise like cliffs, while another massive rock appears to have fallen from the sky, wedged between them to form a natural gateway—an extraordinary sight showcasing nature’s artistry. The central rock bears a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Heaven Opened” (天开), signed by Luo Rufang, Provincial Administration Commissioner of Yunnan, and carved by Deng Yufan, the county magistrate, in the year of the Wooden Horse (1579) during the Ming Dynasty. To the upper right outside the Heaven Gate, cliff inscriptions read “Love This Marvelous Cliff” (爱此奇岩) and “Peerless Among Peaks” (独秀群峰). The first is signed by Kong Ji, former magistrate of Zhao’an and prefect of Chuxiong; the latter by Jiang Lianqin, dated the first day of the first lunar month in the 13th year of the Republic of China (1924).

Inside the Heaven Gate, the pine-scented breeze is refreshing, offering a cool respite even in the height of summer—a renowned summer retreat. To the right upon entering the gate stands a towering rock inscribed with the bold characters “Foremost Among All Mountains” (万山第一), attributed to the Song Dynasty’s Wang Meixi (Wang Shipeng, 1112–1171), who served as prefect of Quanzhou. The inscription praises the rock as worthy of such a distinction. The note was written in the year of the Yang Metal Dog (1886) by Lin Tianxiang of Qingxi. [Note: “Yang Metal Dog” refers to the year 1886. Lin Tianxiang was a *juren* (successful candidate in the imperial examinations) from Zhao’an, born in 1851.]

High on the cliffs of the Heaven Gate sits a flat rock large enough to seat dozens, traditionally said to be where two immortals once played chess during their travels. Hence, it is called “Chessboard Rock” (棋盘石). Following a forested path from the Heaven Gate, past chirping birds, and crossing the Yue’an Hill leads to the “Five Scholars’ Study Room.” Formed naturally by a giant rock serving as its roof, the room can hold dozens of people. In 1196, during the Southern Song Dynasty’s Qingyuan era, when “pseudo-learning” was banned, five scholars—Zhao Jiake of Jinling, Zhou Zhijian of Luoyang, Wu Zhongqiu of Linting, and others—retreated here to study. Later, after achieving success in the imperial examinations, they inscribed “Five Scholars’ Study Room” on the rock above the entrance in horizontal regular script, each character about 0.5 meters tall. Descending the stone steps from the study room and turning right leads to the “Natural Bridge” (天然桥). The bridge, formed naturally from stone slabs, spans about ten paces. The murmuring “Pine Stream” (松涧) flows beneath it, adding a unique charm to the crossing.

Address: Jiuhou Mountain, Hunei Village, Jinxing Township, Zhao’an County, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province

Type: Mountain, Waterfall, Historical Site

Recommended Visiting Time: 2–3 hours

Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Ticket Information: Door Price: 20.0 RMB

Hunei Village: Located at the foot of Jiuhou Mountain in Jinxing Township, Hunei Village has 1,136 households, a population of 4,262, and 90 Party members. The village spans 3,800 mu of arable land, with its economy centered on fruit and vegetable farming, cash crop cultivation, and migrant work. In recent years, with strong support from the township Party committee and government, the entire village has united to advance the construction of a new socialist countryside.

The village’s two committees fully implement the Party’s rural policies, adhering to a balanced approach of material and spiritual development. They have prioritized creating a civilized village as part of their overall strategy, alongside economic… [Detailed information on Hunei Village++]