Jiuzong Rock in Jian'ou

Jiuzong Rock in Jian’ou

Jiuzong Rock in Jian’ou is located at the mouth of Yijun Stream in Xudun Town, Jian’ou City, Fujian Province, approximately fifteen kilometers from downtown Jian’ou. The area covers four square kilometers. It features overlapping peaks, beautiful mountains and clear waters, towering ancient trees, intertwined old vines, steep and peculiar caves, diverse ravines, elegant pavilions, and unique temples. Ancient people likened it to a basin of "jade trees and exquisite flowers," nestled among emerald waters and crimson hills. The Northern Song Dynasty poet You Zuo praised it as “the most extraordinary wonder in southern Fujian.” The Ming Dynasty's Chen Gui wrote: “Had Zhu Xi never visited Jiuzong, it would have remained obscure in this world; had he rested here but once, who would then envy the Lord of Wuyi for his charm?” Jiuzong Rock is a major scenic attraction in Jian’ou, often referred to as the “Little Wuyi.”

The main attractions in the Jiuzong Rock scenic area include the “Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns,” each turn offering beautiful scenery, among which the “Ten Scenes and Three Caves” are particularly unique. The Ten Scenes are: “Immortals’ Meeting Bridge,” “Stone Gate,” “Remnants of Heaven’s Repair,” “Stone Cottage,” “Soaring Terrace,” “Stone Heart Spring,” “Falling Pearl Cliff,” “One-Line Sky,” “Immortal Probing the Well,” and “Immortals Playing Chess.” The Three Caves are the “Wind Cave,” “Cloud Cave,” and “Bat Cave.”

As the old saying goes, “A mountain needs no great height to be sacred if it is home to an immortal.” Though the peaks of Jiuzong Rock may not be particularly steep, the mountain is indeed home to the “immortal.” Within the scenic area stands an ancient temple known as Chongren Chan Temple, which was first built in the second year of the Kaiping era of the Liang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties (908 AD), boasting a history of over a thousand years. In the second year of the Xianchun era of the Song Dynasty, it was relocated and reconstructed. The existing structures were rebuilt in the eighteenth year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty. The entire temple is built against the mountain, facing west, and covers an area of over 3,000 square meters. It adopts a civilian-style corridor-enclosed design, forming a “回” (hui) character shape with two levels. The main hall, auxiliary halls, and guest rooms are all situated on the upper floor, giving it a unique style. The temple environment is serene and exquisitely delicate. Most remarkably, despite the dense surrounding woods and constant leaf fall, no leaves can be found on the temple’s roof tiles—as if someone sweeps them away year-round—leaving visitors in constant awe. The temple now offers vegetarian meals to visitors for less than ten yuan per person, making it a high-quality yet affordable experience.

Currently, the Jiuzong Rock scenic area in Jian’ou offers free admission. Visitors can take a bus from Jian’ou to Xudun Town, and then transfer to a vehicle at Xudun Bridgehead to reach the Jiuzong Rock scenic area.

Source: People’s Government of Nanping City