Shunchang Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area

Shunchang Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area

The Shunchang Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

The Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is located in Shangpingtou Natural Village, Tianping Village, 10 kilometers from the town center of Yangkou Town, Shunchang County, Fujian Province, at an altitude of 1,078 meters. It features steep and majestic peaks, as well as beautiful scenery. Its natural landscapes—such as primeval forests, bamboo seas, temples, caves, peculiar rocks, cliffs, and stone steps—are organically integrated with cultural elements. Here there is…

In addition to lush bamboo and dense forests, Tiantai Mountain boasts many natural stone wonders: including the Flying Rock, Buddha Stone, Chessboard Stone, Mushroom Stone, Dragon-Turtle Cave, Stone Bamboo Shoots, Stone Bed, and Stalactites, all of which inspire awe at the magnificent beauty of nature.

The steep and majestic Tiantai Mountain, with its beautiful scenery, is recorded in the county annals of both Shunchang and Sha County. The new edition of the *Shunchang County Annals* states: “Tiantai Mountain is located in the southern part of the county, between Xiefang and Tianping villages in Yangkou Town, at an altitude of 1,078 meters, and has an ancient temple. In the third year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty, Yang Bingyang launched an armed uprising here. At the foot of the mountain are limestone formations, the Jade Dragon Spouting Water (an intermittent spring), and the Spirit Turtle Cave, all long-renowned scenic spots.” The new edition of the *Sha County Annals* records: “Tiantai Mountain is located in Guiyan Village, 25 kilometers north of Gaoqiao Township, at an altitude of 1,078 meters.”

Atop the mountain is a stone temple built during the Yuan Dynasty. When thunder and rain occur, water seems to enter the hall while lightning strikes around it, a phenomenon locally referred to as 'washing the hall,' though the reason remains unclear.

Tiantai Mountain has many natural stone wonders: including the Flying Rock, Buddha Stone, Waist-Supporting Rock, Chessboard Stone, Mushroom Stone, Dragon-Turtle Cave, Stone Bamboo Shoots, Stone Bed, and Stalactites, all of which inspire awe at the magnificent beauty of nature.

Continuing along a simple road uphill from Shangpingtou (a place name) for several kilometers and then walking for about 10 minutes, you will reach the “Tongtian Dasheng Renji Zhenjun” (Heaven-Reaching Great Sage Benevolent and Compassionate Lord) Altar at the summit of Tiantai Mountain. About 500 meters to the right of the altar is the “Tiantai Mountain Third King’s Palace” managed by Guiyan Village, Gaoqiao Town, Sha County, which enshrines the “Central Mountain Sand Emperor.” A couplet on the palace gate reads: “Ennobled for loyalty, protecting the people; the Sand King of Tiantai, divine through the ages.”

Near the palace is a cliff, atop which a cluster of rocks strikingly resembles the head of Zhu Bajie (Pigsy from Journey to the West).

The ancient ginkgo trees of Shangpingtou are cloaked in golden yellow. Viewed from the summit of Tiantai Mountain, they look like golden beads inlaid on a piece of jade, truly a beautiful sight. The steep and majestic Tiantai Mountain, with its beautiful scenery, is like a maiden awaiting her wedding. Though hidden deep within the mountains, her pure and natural beauty attracts numerous admirers.