Huanghua Mountain Park

Huanghua Mountain Park

Huanghua Mountain is located to the north of Jian’ou City, within the ancient city wall, making it a mountain in the city. The hill is covered with lush trees, dotted with winding paths, pavilions, and towers, making it the most picturesque spot in the city. From the mountaintop, you can gaze into the distance at the two streams embracing each other, meandering endlessly as they flow vigorously. Looking down at the city, buildings rise one after another, with people and vehicles bustling about. You’ll instantly feel a surge of grandeur and an open heart.

In the early Yuanjia era of the Liu Song Dynasty during the Southern Dynasties (425 AD), Governor Hua Jinzhi relocated the city to the foot of the mountain. In the early Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 AD), Han Shizhong camped his troops on the mountain while suppressing Fan Ruwei. By the end of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1368 AD), Left Chancellor Ruan Derou built the city wall up to the mountaintop, connecting it to the old city below. In the 19th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1386 AD), the Regional Commander expanded the city to include this mountain within its bounds. During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1404–1424 AD), pavilions and towers were constructed on the mountain, namely: Huanghua Platform, Guanshan Pavilion, Pingxu Veranda, Daiyue Pavilion, and Xianyi Pavilion. There was also a pond at the foot of the mountain that never dried up in autumn or winter. Later, these platforms, verandas, and pavilions all fell into disrepair. In the 6th year of the Hongzhi era (1493 AD), Deputy Regional Inspector Yang Ze rebuilt them, followed by Wuxi Zhou in the 6th year of the Jiajing era (1527 AD), and Wang Dian in the 13th year (1534 AD), though they fell into ruin again. In the 5th year of the Tianqi era (1625 AD), County Magistrate Zhong Jia, together with local resident Chen Guoyue, rebuilt them. There was a pavilion halfway up the mountain, inscribed by Zhang Bingwen with the plaque “Guanzhi” (The Pinnacle). Magistrate Yang Zhaolin also built Huanghua Academy at the foot of the mountain. All were destroyed again in the 5th year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1648 AD). In the 22nd year of the Kangxi era (1683 AD), County Magistrate Zhang Dadian built the Zhenwu Temple on the mountaintop. In the 26th year (1687 AD), Regional Commander Xie Sili, recognizing the mountain as the main peak of the region, ordered soldiers to plant pines around it and built the Banshiping Pavilion for visitors to rest. In the 26th year of the Guangxu era (1900 AD), Commander Wang Fusheng of Jianning and County Magistrate Cheng Zufu renovated the site, adding the Yishuang Pavilion, Kuixing Tower, and Yuting. Later, County Magistrates Xie Qihua and Fan Rong of Jian’an County also left poetic inscriptions, and Lin Xiang painted murals on the walls.

In the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927 AD), the National Revolutionary Army passed through the area. Generals Dai Yue and Xiao Jingguang donated 2,000 silver dollars to help build Huanghua Park. Unfortunately, the project was not completed.

Huanghua Mountain boasts beautiful scenery and has been visited by literati and scholars throughout the ages who lingered to compose poetry. Examples include Lin Fu of the Han Dynasty, Gu Yewang of the Six Dynasties, Li Pin of the Tang Dynasty, Su Shi, Cai Xiang, Lu You, Yuan Shu, Yang Yi, Liu Guangying, Wu Ji of the Song Dynasty, and Feng Menglong, Yang Rong of the Ming Dynasty, as well as Fang Bao and Cui Xian of the Qing Dynasty, all of whom left poetic tributes in admiration.

Huanghua Mountain was also a strategic stronghold. Leaders of peasant uprisings such as Huang Chao of the Tang Dynasty, Fan Ruwei of the Song Dynasty, and Shi Dakai of the Qing Dynasty, along with their forces, all left their marks here. Song Dynasty General Han Shizhong trained his troops at the foot of the mountain, and Li Gang left behind the inscription “Troop Encampment Site.” Xiao Jingguang once delivered a revolutionary speech here. The Fujian-Ganxixi Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party founded the Fujian Public School here to train cadres, contributing to the liberation of all of Fujian and the establishment of a red government.

By the end of the Republic of China period, the Kuixing Tower at the mountaintop, the Yishuang Pavilion halfway up, and the Yuting had all fallen into disrepair. During the “Great Leap Forward” (1958 AD), when communal kitchens were set up, the pine forests of Huanghua Mountain were almost entirely cut down and burned. During the Cultural Revolution (1968 AD), the Guanyin Pavilion was reduced to ruins.

In 1994, reconstruction of Huanghua Mountain Park began. Currently, several structures have been rebuilt or newly built on the mountain, including the Huanghua Pavilion, Yishuang Pavilion, Hexagonal Pavilion, Xianyi Pavilion, Daiyue Pavilion, Erhua Diecui Pavilion, Xizhao Pavilion, as well as the Fujian Public School Memorial Pavilion and the Four Provinces Hundred Counties Afforestation Memorial Pavilion. The words “Huanghua Mountain Park,” inscribed by General Xiao Jingguang, have been restored, and pathways across the entire mountain have been paved. It has now become an excellent recreational, entertainment, and fitness destination for urban residents.

At the top of Huanghua Mountain lies the Baiyun Temple, facing south with its back against Longgang and overlooking Zhicheng. Huanghua Mountain has long been known as “the foremost of Jianzhou’s ten scenic spots.” The Baiyun Temple is nestled among green mountains and cypresses, surrounded by rare and precious tree species forming lush groves. Its pavilions and towers are full of classical charm, and the mountain paths are serene and winding. Moreover, it attracts numerous worshippers and tourists, making it a prime leisure and travel destination.

The full name of Baiyun Temple is Baiyun Chongfan Chan Temple. The original Baiyun Temple was first built during the Tianfu era of the Later Jin Dynasty of the Five Dynasties (936–943 AD) in Huahua Lane. It was destroyed by fire during the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the early Shaoxing era. In the 13th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, the site was used to build the Yongfeng Granary, so the temple was relocated to Guanglu Lane. It was destroyed in the autumn of the 4th year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, rebuilt by Monk Daopu in the 20th year of the Kangxi era, destroyed again during the Xianfeng era, and rebuilt in the Guangxu era. It fell into disrepair by the end of the Republic of China. The original structures of Baiyun Temple were built in the 19th year of the Hongwu era (1386 AD) when Regional Commander Shi Yu expanded the city to include the mountain, and towers were erected on the mountaintop during the Yongle era (1403–1424 AD), including Huanghua Platform, Guanshan Pavilion, Pingxu Veranda, Daiyue Pavilion, and Xianyi Pavilion. These were repeatedly destroyed and repaired in the 6th year of the Hongzhi era (1493 AD), the 5th year of the Tianqi era (1625 AD), the 6th year of the Jiajing era (1527 AD), the 22nd year of the Kangxi era (1683 AD), and the 26th year (1687 AD). In the 5th year of the Tianqi era (1625 AD), it was rebuilt, and Magistrate Yang Zhaotai added Huanghua Academy. It was destroyed again during the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. In the 26th year of the Guangxu era (1900 AD), Prefect Cheng Zufu renovated it and added structures such as the Yishuang Pavilion, Yuting, and Kuixing Tower. At the foot of Huanghua Mountain are scenic sites such as the Ancient Beitan Pond, Han Shizhong’s troop encampment, and the Li Gang Shrine.

In 1983, Abbot Liao Zhizhi rebuilt the Huanghua Mountain Temple on the former site of the Guanyin Pavilion. Due to his prior connection with Baiyun Temple, he named it “Baiyun Chan Temple.” In 1986, Shi Miguo (then President of the Jian’ou County Buddhist Association) oversaw the construction of the Three Jewels Hall and the Heavenly King Hall. In 1992, his disciple Shi Qingshan took over and built the Guanyin Hall, Dizangwang Hall, guest hall, dining hall, bell and drum tower, stone lions at the entrance, the mountain gate square, monks' quarters, and Buddha statues. He also painted the pillars and walls, including a thousand-armed Guanyin statue made of yew. In 1996, lay devotee Zheng Qingfeng donated a large pagoda-style incense burner, and Fuzhou Chongfu Temple gifted an ancient bell from the unearthed Mingde Temple (over 300 years old). Baiyun Temple now covers an area of 4,223 square meters, with a building area of 1,938.2 square meters.