Shai Kou Gaofeng Tourist Scenic Area

Shai Kou Gaofeng Tourist Scenic Area

Shai Kou Gaofeng Tourist Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Gaofeng Village is situated in the eastern part of Shaowu City, 18 kilometers from the city center. It includes 7 villager groups, 251 households, and 902 residents. The village spans a total area of 29.6 square kilometers, with land covering 34,022 mu and forested land spanning 31,044 mu. In 2011, it was honored as a “Provincial-Level Ecological Civilization Village,” and is often referred to as the “Sleeping Treasure Land” and the “Back Garden of the City.” Gaofeng Village boasts unique geographical conditions—comprising high mountain basins with lush greenery, clear waters, and towering peaks that form a natural barrier. With an average elevation of 480 meters, the village enjoys mild winters without severe cold and cool summers without extreme heat, featuring year-round temperate and humid weather. As a result, it is home to distinctive natural landscapes renowned for their ecological beauty. The annual average temperature in Gaofeng Village is 17.6°C, with 280 frost-free days per year, annual rainfall of 1,850 mm, abundant sunshine, and plentiful precipitation. The coverage rate of original broadleaf forests reaches 85%.

During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Gaofeng Village was called Huangxi Village, mainly because the mountains were rich in pyrite, which caused the creek bed to turn yellow in winter—hence the name Huangxi (Yellow Creek). The people of Gaofeng Village are known for their simple and sincere hospitality. The village is resource-rich, with profound cultural landscapes and traditional farming culture, offering numerous tourism resources. It has considerable historical significance, including three ancient residential buildings from the Qing Dynasty, traditional “Three Carvings” architecture, ancient village wells, old streets and alleys, as well as performances like Flower Drum Opera, folk mountain songs, and dragon dances. There is also the King Temple built during the Qing Dynasty. Upstream of the Jiulong Waterfall lies Bian Dan Mountain at an altitude of 780 meters, featuring scenic spots such as Xiangyun Nunnery, Shi Xin Stone, Immortal Fish Pond, and Resting Stone.

Gongyuan Academy. Before the Xiangyan Temple Academy in Xiayellow Hall was established, many children of the Gong family studied at Gongyuan Academy. Under the guidance of eminent teachers and the nourishment of the He Xia Smart Spring, many of them passed the imperial examinations and entered the Shaowu Prefecture School for further studies. Numerous scholars passed the provincial exams to become juren (recommended men), and many juren later became jinshi (presented scholars)—the exact numbers of which are unrecorded.

King Temple. In honor of a Gong-family military general, this temple was built to promote his patriotic spirit. Originally just a small shrine, it was expanded during the Qing Dynasty.

Xiangyun Nunnery. This nunnery was constructed during the Baoyou era of the Southern Song Dynasty under Emperor Lizong. It was particularly famous for its effective rain prayers, which often came true. Within the nunnery are seven scenic spots: the Immortal’s Kitchen, Stone Scripture Cliff, Shi Xin Stone, Stone Well, Heavenly Pool, Turtle Stone, and Resting Stone. Especially in the eighth year of the Xianfeng era in the late Qing Dynasty, when the Taiping Rebellion forces led by Shi Dakai retreated from Fujian toward Guizhou, they left behind many elderly female family members. These women secretly took refuge in the nunnery. Many of them were highly educated and composed a large number of poems and writings, which were unfortunately destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

Tang Dynasty Tomb Cluster. Behind the now-vanished Xibao Village, there is a cluster of tombs from the Tang Dynasty, holding significant archaeological value.

Huangxi Kou Covered Bridge. Built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, the bridge features seven bays, is 10 zhang (approx. 33 meters) long, and 1 zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) wide. The middle bay houses three statues of bodhisattvas. During the Cultural Revolution, the wood from the covered bridge was dismantled to build canteens and warehouses. In July of the fifth year of the Xianfeng era, the Red Turban Army members Pan Cailao and Zhong Xinzai from Shaxian and Shunjing captured Lingyun Mountain and Gongjun Temple at Nazui. They then sent troops to attack Gaofeng. Gaofeng was briefly occupied, and dozens of people were killed on the Huangxi Kou Bridge.

Ming Dynasty Stone Bridges. One is Dongbao Bridge, also known as Flower Bridge, located at the easternmost end of Huangxi. It was built during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the Chenghua era. Another is Renli Bridge, situated over Huangxi, built in the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that the name “Renli” (Benevolent Village) was given by Chen Tai, then Vice Censor-in-Chief. Both bridges originally had roofed shelters for people to rest and escape the summer heat.

Smart Spring and Longevity Spring. Gaofeng Village has two springs. One is called “Smart Spring.” After Gong Su, the magistrate of Jian’an in the Tang Dynasty, retired and settled in the Gongyuan Natural Village of Gaofeng, his family dug a well here. Those who drank from it were said to excel in their studies, and many members of the Gong family became jinshi (advanced scholars), hence the name “Smart Spring.” The other spring is called “Longevity Spring,” located in the Chadun Group. Villagers here drink from it year-round, and there are many residents over 90 years old. When asked about the secret to their longevity, aside from the clean mountain air and unpolluted food, the most important factor is the consistently high-quality spring water. The hillside above the “Longevity Spring” source is covered by over 20,000 mu of pristine forest, home to more than 200 species of wild medicinal herbs. Due to the intact natural vegetation, stable ecological environment, and abundant seasonal rainfall, the spring water contains beneficial minerals in balanced proportions. Drinking this high-quality water and consuming grain grown without chemical fertilizers contributes to the villagers’ longevity.

Gaofeng Village: Introduction to Gaofeng Village, Shaikou Subdistrict, Shaowu City. Gaofeng is located at 27°01'4" N latitude and 117°34' E longitude, situated in the central part of Shaowu City. The Gaofeng Eco-Leisure Area is 18 kilometers from the city center, 70 kilometers from Wuyishan Airport, 9 kilometers from Shaikou Railway Station, and 8 kilometers from National Highway 316. A 4.5-meter-wide cement road runs throughout the area, supported by 32 kilometers of high- and low-voltage power supply lines ensuring ample electricity. The area has full coverage of cable TV, telecom, and communication networks, ensuring convenient connectivity. There are also 4,950 square meters of vacant former farm dormitories available. The entire region spans 29.6 square kilometers of high mountain basin… Detailed information on Gaofeng Village++