Jishan

Jishan

Jishan is located on the eastern bank of the Wen River, more than two kilometers southwest of Yong’an City. The river between Upper Jishan and Lower Jishan meanders in a shape resembling the Chinese character “几” (like the Yellow River’s big bend). On the western riverbank, there is a large, round, dark brown boulder shaped like an orange—about the size of a satellite dish—and locals call it the “Orange Stone.” Perhaps this is the earliest origin of the name “Jishan.”

Jishan is a small mountain village with graceful surrounding hills, numerous peaks and valleys, and a terrain that resembles a place where dragons and tigers lie in wait—a natural geomantic treasure. It was developed at least as early as the beginning of the Song Dynasty. The Baoying Temple at the foot of Beiling Mountain (built in the fourth

Xiashan Village is nestled against mountains and beside water, serving as a cradle of talent in ancient times. Walking into the local residential buildings leaves a peculiar impression—ancestors of the Jishan people built their houses in two distinct styles: chessboard-shaped and timber-plank-shaped. Every house features a large water tank in the living room, prepared for emergency firefighting. Many doors, windows, screens, and beams are adorned with carvings of animals, flowers, or inscriptions of poetry. Some households even cultivate orchids and cacti in their courtyards and flower walls, offering an antique and elegant aesthetic. These elements also naturally remind visitors that this ancient mountain village was once a place of thriving culture and a breeding ground for talent. With so many scholars, their works were not only recorded in their own collections and the *Liu Family Genealogy*, but also carved into the buildings. Moreover, the North Tomb Mountain still preserves over twenty cliff inscriptions—epitaphs and poems alike—all authentic ancient relics. Coupled with the mountain’s beautiful scenery, it has attracted a continuous stream of visitors since its redevelopment in the last century. More importantly, the cultural spirit of ancient Jishan not only influenced generations of its descendants but also became a renowned and向往 historical-cultural mountain village within Yong'an.

Historically, Jishan was a prosperous land with many wealthy families, some engaged in dried bamboo shoot trade, others in the timber business, all owning vast tracts of farmland and forests. Even during the Republican era, figures like Liu Guanzhuang were famed far and wide. Among them, Liu Guanzhuang even served as a member of the Yong'an County Senate. According to the late oral accounts of Mr. Luo Yufeng, a former member of the Yong'an County Senate from Shuixi Village: "The Liu Guanzhuang family was very wealthy—they had several guest rooms alone, ten cooling beds (mats), and every room was equipped with a tea table and a kettle. Even the provincial governor Chen Yi and Liu Jianxu visited their home..."

If ancient Jishan was a cultural hub, then modern Jishan has taken on the historical significance of a politically notable town due to the relocation of the wartime provincial government headquarters here.

"Chungu Villa" was originally an academy in ancient times. In 1938, when the provincial capital was relocated to Yong'an, it became the official residence of the Fujian Provincial Governor. Both Governors Chen Yi and Liu Jianxu had their offices here. To guard against Japanese air raids, an air-raid shelter was dug into the valley at that time, where both governors conducted their work. Objectively speaking, the Fujian Provincial Government under Governors Chen Yi and Liu Jianxu made certain contributions in promoting resistance policies and even supporting underground activities. In the 1980s, Chungu Villa was developed into a tourist area in Yong'an, featuring a dance hall, swimming pool, hotel, villas, and even romantic "lovers' cabins" that captured the spirit of the times. However, the air-raid shelter remains preserved. This not only reflects Yong'an people's remembrance of history, but also serves as a deliberate reminder for everyone not to forget how hard-won today’s happiness is, even amidst leisure and entertainment.

At that time, there were over 40 provincial government units stationed in Jishan, such as the Provincial High Court, the Security Command, the Provincial Music Academy, the Provincial Health Department, and more. Because it was the seat of the provincial government and because Yong'an hosted dozens of wartime newspapers and periodicals, many progressive intellectuals and scholars from across the country gathered in Yong'an, making Jishan a hub of notable figures—such as Yang Zao (original name Yang Chao), Dong Qiufang, and Shao Quanlin. The Provincial Music Academy, located in the Jishan Distillery, helped spread anti-Japanese songs throughout the province. On the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1994, a grand “Moonlight Concert” was held, featuring a 250-member anti-Japanese song choir performing pieces like *The March of the Volunteers* and *Man Jiang Hong*. Principal Lu Qian’s *Yong'an Autumn Night* also gained fame in Yong'an around that time. Of course, there were also dark moments—the shocking national incident known as the “Yang Zao Incident” (during which dozens, including Yang Zao, were arrested!) and the dropping of three bombs by the Japanese here, one of which still lies unexploded in a local farmer’s vegetable field to this day.

Since the 1980s, a cluster of new buildings have been erected at the entrance of Jishan, gradually forming a commercial new village. Making full use of local resources, they opened various shops, among which restaurants became the most famous—the "Xiangshan Chicken" dish once gained renown both inside and outside Yong'an. In recent years, the number of restaurants has increased to twenty or thirty, presenting a vibrant scene. Whether on weekdays or holidays, countless people come here for leisure and entertainment, keeping businesses bustling day and night. It has become a well-known economic development zone in the suburbs of Yong'an, adding a beautiful highlight to Yong'an’s tourism and culinary culture.