Qingtian Rock

Qingtian Rock

Qingtian Rock is a cultural relic protection unit of Fujian Province.

The scenic spot Qingtian Rock in Xixiang is located in Pingshe Natural Village, Qingtianyan Village, Longcun Township, Jian’ou City, 11 kilometers from the seat of Longcun Township and bordering Jianyang City. With an elevation of 1,222 meters, it is the highest peak in northern Jian’ou City, boasting a grand and majestic presence along with uniquely spectacular scenery. The Qingtian Rock mountain range is vast and continuous, often referred to as the “Northern Barrier of Jiuzhou,” and the “Xixiang” scenic area formed by it is widely famed for the sight of “a pillar reaching to the heavens, a marvel to behold.”

According to the *Jian’ou County Annals*, “The mountain ranges of Jianzhou all originate from the Xianxia Pass, passing through Pucheng’s Gaixian Township, Quanshan, Songxi’s Luangfeng Mountain, before entering the territory of Jian’ou County. They rise abruptly as Jiufeng Mountain in Zixi Li, then as Qingtian Rock in Xixiang Li, winding all the way to the county seat, and finally emerging as the graceful Huanghua Mountain.” Folklore says that the “dragon vein” of Qingtian Rock comes from Jiangxi. When the primordial deity Pangu governed heaven and earth, he planted a “gourd vine” on Mount Lu, whose vines extended all the way to northern Fujian. Later, after being carefully cultivated by Lü Dongbin, two flowers bloomed—one a female flower, Huanghua Mountain, delicate and beautiful, and the other a male flower, Qingtian Rock, lofty and majestic.

Upon entering the back hills of Pingshe Natural Village in Qingtianyan Village, one can see a forest of about 13 hectares of Cyclobalanopsis glauca (locally called Fochu Forest or Buddha’s Forest). There are currently 285 trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of over 50 cm, not to mention countless smaller ones. Such a concentrated, large-area stand of Cyclobalanopsis glauca is truly rare in our province. In the past, when agricultural production was backward and natural disasters led to poor harvests, the Fochu Forest produced abundant seeds. This gave rise to the phenomenon of “grain failure but Fochu abundance,” and villagers used these seeds to tide over famine years, believing them to be “a divine gift to help people survive disasters.” As a result, the Fochu Forest came to be known as “Buddha’s Forest,” endowing the trees with a mythical aura.

Friends, within the Cyclobalanopsis glauca forest lies an ancient path leading to Longchi Temple on Qingtian Rock. Paved with stones, it is rugged, winding, and full of twists and turns, hence called the “Nine-Bend Ridge.” Right at the entrance of the ancient path stand two rare thousand-year-old giant trees—Keteleeria fortunei, locally known as Shuoluosong, hailed as the “Keteleeria King of Northern Fujian.” Majestically standing by the road, they are over 40 meters tall with trunks so thick that four people cannot encircle them. Their dense, layered branches spread out in a disc-like formation, staying lush and vibrant year-round. Parasitic orchids hang from the branches, swaying in the wind, adding a unique charm. From afar, they resemble two “green pagodas” standing proudly, guarding the entrance to Qingtian Rock in a most imposing manner.

Winding through the serene path, passing through the “Fochu Forest” and the “Keteleeria King,” and crossing the former site of the Guest-Welcoming Pavilion, you’ll reach Shuangshi Bridge. The Nine-Bend Ridge comes to an end here. Turning around the Screen Rock, you’ll see the tranquil and secluded ancient mountain temple—Longchi Temple. Research indicates that Longchi Temple belongs to the Huayan sect of Buddhism, founded by Zudaowu. According to the local *Zhou Family Genealogy*, “In the fourth year of the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1268), Zudaowu went to Yan toukeng to meditate. On the 15th day of the eighth month of the fifth year, at the hour of Shen, he attained nirvana. In the sixth year, on the 15th day of the twelfth month, at the hour of Jia Shen, Emperor Duzong of Song bestowed the title upon Longchi Temple on Qingtian Rock. The local official Jiang Yi, an imperial censor, received the decree, which honored the late Zudaowu as the Bodhisattva of Enlightenment, Master Dajue. In the eighth year, on the 15th day of the seventh month, construction began on the temple foundation. (Ming Dynasty) In the ninth year of the Hongwu era, on the 15th day, it was renovated. In the third year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, on the 21st day of the eleventh month, at the hour of Chou, additional blessings were conferred.” It was later destroyed by fire.

Friends, we have now arrived at Longchi Temple. In front of the temple’s mountain gate stands a stone stele inscribed with seven large characters: “A Pillar Reaching to the Heavens, a Marvel to Behold.” The horizontal tablet and small characters in the lower right indicate that this phrase is quoted from a work by the Song Dynasty poet Xie Fangzhi, as recorded in the *Jianning Prefecture Annals*. To the left of the mountain gate stand three thousand-year-old trees—Taxus chinensis. Each of these ancient trees is over 20 meters tall, with the largest requiring three people to encircle its trunk. They are the “guardian treasures of Qingtian Rock.”

The current temple structures date back to the Qing Dynasty and the Republican era. The enclosed area covers 5,866 square meters. The mountain gate was built during the Qing Dynasty, with the characters “Qianlong” still clearly visible on the beams. The couplet at the gate reads: “Within the temple, clear spring water brews tea to welcome guests from beyond the clouds; outside the gate, shady trees block the sun, inviting immortals from the cavern.” Passing through the mountain gate and across a vast open area, you’ll reach the Heavenly King Hall. Beyond that lies the heart of Longchi Temple—the Three Main Halls: the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the Ksitigarbha Hall. These three halls stand side by side in neat succession. At the back gate is a Jeweled Treasury Tower, used specifically for storing grain. Many of the historical relics in the temple date back to the Qing Dynasty, including a stone basin inscribed with the characters “58th Year of Qianlong.” In addition to plaques, couplets, cast bells, and stone incense burners, there are also stone basins, stone jars, and stone water troughs—items used in daily life and production. To the left of the temple is an orchid garden—“Qingmi Pavilion”—dedicated to growing orchids, adding a touch of refined charm to the ancient mountain temple.

Exiting Longchi Temple and walking through a bamboo grove toward the mountaintop, you’ll reach the main peak of Qingtian Rock. The entire peak is exposed bedrock, hard in texture and varied in form—some parts resembling tables, chairs, beds, or screens; others like halls, rooms, platforms, or gates. There are scenic spots such as “Zhengguo Cave,” “Zugong Tiao,” “Mahan Cliff,” “Monkey Seat,” “Trial Heart Rock,” “Double Coffin Rock,” “Treasure Tripod Rock,” and “Dragon Pearl Rock.” “Zhengguo Cave” is a deep cave; to enter, one has no choice but to climb down from the summit of Qingtian Rock. Only one person can crawl through at a time, and its depth is unfathomable. Inside the cave are “stone beds” and “stone chairs.” Legend has it that Zudaowu attained enlightenment here. “Mahan Cliff” is a huge rock with sheer, mirror-smooth walls. It remains dry in droughts and does not drip in the rain. For thousands of years, it has seemingly “sweated” year-round—even in severe droughts, when the skies remain clear for long periods and the earth cracks from dryness, the cliff surface of Mahan Cliff continues to “sweat.” Even during rainy springs when floods rage everywhere, the “sweat” from Mahan Cliff is merely fine droplets. Legend says Mahan Cliff is a “general” of Qingtian Rock, who sweats year-round due to bearing the immense weight of holding up the sky. “Trial Heart Rock” is said to be a remnant of an immortal’s chess game. Loyal and virtuous individuals can stand on the rock and look out without harm, but those with ill intentions will feel the world spinning, their heads dizzy, hearts racing, legs weak, and bodies collapsing as if falling into an abyss, suspended upside down in midair—a terrifying sensation where one cannot live or die.

Friends, once you reach the summit of Qingtian Rock, the scenery becomes even more magnificent, giving you the feeling of “standing atop mountains, with flying clouds drifting past your waist, as if you’re suspended in midair.” Additionally, the Dragon Spring, Breezes, and Thin Mists of Qingtian Rock are also quite unique. The Dragon Spring water is warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a temperature of 12°C year-round. It is as clear as a mirror, sweet as syrup, and never shows any signs of microorganisms. The breezes of Qingtian Rock are extraordinary. Due to its location at an altitude of over a kilometer, combined with the dense forests and crisscrossing streams below, the mountain winds, forest winds, and stream winds converge here year-round, then are filtered through the woods, resulting in an incomparably cool breeze, with summer temperatures around 20°C. On hot summer days, as you climb through the Nine-Bend Ridge to Longchi Temple, the cool breeze carrying the unique scent of the deep mountains greets you, neither hot nor cold, bringing a refreshing and comfortable feeling that lifts your spirits. The thin mists of Qingtian Rock are fresh and odorless, appearing and disappearing at regular times, gathering and dispersing predictably. They usually rise at midnight, floating between the mountain ridges and villages, and vanish by the next morning. On rainy days, wispy clouds drift with the drizzle, their colors resembling flying snow, willow catkins, or curling wisps of smoke. They move gently, sometimes advancing, sometimes lingering. When touched by the morning sunlight, they transform into colorful clouds, radiating golden light in all directions, creating boundless beauty.

Friends, in the mountains of Qingtian Rock, each season offers different beautiful sights—“rock scenery and cliff tea,” “cool mountain breezes,” “green needles and red leaves,” “verdant bamboo and white snow.” Visiting Qingtian Rock in different seasons brings unique experiences.

Source: Office of the People’s Government of Jian’ou City