Jiuxian Mountain

Jiuxian Mountain

Jiuxian Mountain, named after the legend of the Eight Immortals taking disciples, is located in Houfang Village, Shunyang Township, Jian’ou City, Fujian Province. It lies 18 kilometers from the township center and 58 kilometers from downtown Jian’ou, bordering Pingnan. With an elevation of 1,539 meters, at longitude 118°40′41″ and latitude 26°58′24″, the 1979 edition of Cihai records: “Jiufeng Mountain, located in northern Fujian, stretches from northeast to southwest, with its main peak, Jiuxian Mountain, situated east of Jian’ou County. It boasts beautiful scenery and is a renowned mountain in northern Fujian.” The mountain features vast rocks with a magnificent presence; forests of pine trees create diverse and majestic landscapes; yew trees are commonly seen, growing lush and grand; ... China’s first ancient geographical “encyclopedia,” the Classic of Mountains and Seas, vividly describes the strange sights and tales of this mountain. In the Book of Changes, the mountain (艮) symbolizes the northeast direction, where all things reach their endpoint before beginning anew. The Book of Changes reveres mountains not only for the great virtue and ambition reflected in the “Great Accumulation” hexagram that embraces heaven and sea, but also for the ancient Yi Jing classic Lianshan, which honors mountains as foremost. Jiuxian Mountain does not consist of just nine parallel peaks; although the classics describe it as a place of steep cliffs and perilous paths where travelers may halt, it is also rich in forests, fruits, wildlife, resources, and scenic beauty. It served as the first habitat for ancient humans who lived by gathering and hunting, marking the evolutionary transition from ape to human, and has long been favored by monks, Taoists, and hermits. As such, Xu Xiake, the famous Ming Dynasty geographer, philosopher, and writer, left behind weathered inscriptions on Jiuxian Mountain reading, “If you don’t climb Jiuxian Mountain, a hundred years of life are in vain.”

Jiuxian Mountain has a glorious history of revolutionary struggle. In the spring of 1936, Commander Rao Shoukun of the Military Sub-district of the Northeast Fujian Special Committee, Party Secretary and Political Commissar Wang Zhu, and Political Director Zuo Fengmei led their troops in a three-year guerrilla war on Jiuxian Mountain. From the War of Resistance to the Liberation War, veterans like Chen Guifang and Zuo Fengmei, along with other revolutionary martyrs, fought here.

Jiuxian Mountain boasts both mountains and water, harmoniously integrating the two. It is famed for its “extraordinary mountains, cascading waters, and beautiful scenery,” featuring “nine peaks, nine waterfalls, and eighty-one views.” It is often called the “Little Huangshan” and is truly a rare landscape. From the mountaintop, one can take in thousands of miles of misty mountains — a true case of “overlooking all other peaks.” Visitors come all year round, making it a celebrated destination.

“Mountains, water, peculiar rocks; trees, temples, and myths” are the greatest features of Jiuxian Mountain, offering a green ecological environment ideal for leisure, vacation, and wellness.

Main Attractions of Jiuxian Mountain

1. Huayan Temple — a fusion of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Research shows that Huayan Temple existed as early as the Tang Dynasty, originally built as a shrine for the local shepherd prince. The old temple was located in a flat valley of Jiufeng Mountain, though the exact time of its construction and destruction is unknown. However, based on remnants such as stone pillars, stone slabs, stone beams, and a liberation pond, it is known to have been quite large with flourishing incense offerings. In 1989, villagers raised funds to build a new temple covering 900 square meters, with statues of the Nine Immortal Prince and the Eight Immortals. Legend says the mountain is imbued with an immortal aura and grants all wishes. Since ancient times, worshippers have flocked here from Jian’ou, Gutian, and Pingnan. Now, the first day of the sixth lunar month is the temple fair day, attracting throngs of pilgrims from northern and eastern Fujian — a lively and bustling occasion.

2. Jiufeng — the main peak of the famous Jiufeng Mountain Range in Fujian. Its highest point, Jiufeng Rock, rises 1,539 meters above sea level. The lone peak towers over the mountain range, resembling a bald eagle stretching its neck toward the sky and letting out a cry.

3. Guest-Greeting Pine — atop the mountain, ancient pines rise high, mostly Huangshan pines and rock-surface pines, spiraling or shaped like lotus pedestals. Especially eye-catching is the guest-greeting pine, standing abruptly like its famous counterpart in Huangshan — tall, majestic, and gracefully formed.

4. Immortal Chessboard — several rocks, either flat or leaning, offer resting spots for twenty or thirty people. One flat rock about 16 square meters in size and square in shape has a crack about 30 centimeters wide running through it, splitting the surface with a clump of thatch — this is the legendary Immortal Chessboard. Standing atop the rock and gazing in all directions, one takes in the sweeping mountain ranges fading into the clouds, creating a breathtaking, expansive view. Lying back on the chessboard rock, stretching out, and facing the sky, one feels merged with the landscape and the universe.

5. Chenshan Facing — Jian’ou’s highest peak, Chenshan (1,822 meters), stands opposite Jiuxian Mountain, silently gazing at each other. Legend says Chenshan is the king while Jiuxian Mountain is the fairy maiden. Their mutual gaze is like that of young lovers meeting under the Milky Way for the first time, filled with deep affection and silent admiration.

6. Immortal Cave — beneath the chessboard rock lies the Immortal Cave, around 2 square meters in size, with a sloping floor following the mountain’s contour. At the cave’s higher end sits an incense burner loaded with incense sticks, surrounded by ashes, indicating ongoing worship. A massive natural boulder covers the cave, extending over a meter forward like an awning — an ideal spot for camping. Legend says this was where immortals rested.

7. Sunrise Viewing from the Summit — in the early morning, the eastern sky begins to pale. As light increases, a thick, surging sea of clouds appears on the horizon, with peaks emerging and vanishing amid the magical transformation. The morning light turns the clouds pale yellow, then orange, and in a flash, the thin clouds overhead glow golden — a sky full of rosy clouds heralds the sun’s imminent rise. Soon, the sun slowly ascends behind the clouds, red but not dazzling; seconds later, it turns golden; before long, the full, round sun emerges.

8. Heavenly Horse Stone — said to be the steed of Marshal Cao, this smooth, black boulder atop Jiuxian Mountain resembles a galloping horse with its head raised and tail up — vivid and lifelike.

9. Jiuxian Rock — located at the summit of Jiuxian Mountain, the rock features a chessboard stone on top, a Jiuxian Cave below, and the ruins of the Jiuxian Temple on the flat ground beneath.

10. Lake-Viewing Rock — located northwest of the mountain pass on the way to the New Jiuxian Temple, this hilltop features several large rock platforms offering distant views of the Yanghou Reservoir in Jian’ou, its surface gleaming like a mirror in the sunlight.

11. General Rock — located at the bend on the path to the Old Jiuxian Temple, three vertically aligned massive rocks resemble an armored general carrying a long sword on his back.

12. Immortal Elder Rock — next to General Rock, it is said to resemble the spirited form of Iron-Crutch Li after getting drunk.

13. Hundred-Zhang Rock — next to General Rock, this tall, straight, sheer cliff resembles a blade-cut formation.

14. Nine Dragons Waterfall — below Huayan Temple lie nine waterfalls collectively known as the Nine Dragons Waterfall. Especially during spring and summer, when mountain water accumulates and cascades down, the combination of mountain and water enhances the spiritual essence of Jiuxian Mountain, making it a unique spectacle.

15. Jiuxian Sea of Clouds — Jiuxian Mountain has changeable weather with frequent strong winds and thick fog. On clear days or after rain, the mountain is shrouded in a vast sea of mist accompanied by rustling pine waves, as if the Nine Immortals were crossing the sea, each displaying their magical powers.

16. Jiuxian Ancient Path — Jiuxian Mountain lies at the border between northern and eastern Fujian and has since ancient times been an important route connecting the two regions. The stone-paved ancient path winds uphill, especially the section from Huayan Temple to the summit, known for its “nine twists and eighteen turns.”

17. Sword-Testing Stone — located just above the left side of Huayan Temple, legend says the Nine Immortals once drank on Jiuxian Mountain, and after getting drunk, Lü Dongbin cleaved the stone to test his sword.

18. Jiuxian Stone Table — located to the left of Huayan Temple, a large flat stone where the Nine Immortals were said to drink tea and wine.

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