Maixie Rock

Maixie Rock

Maixie Rock is located in Maixie Village, Zhongshan Town, about 35 kilometers north of Xianyou County, at an elevation of 1,006 meters. The Maixie Rock scenic area spans approximately 4 square kilometers. With its steep terrain, towering cliffs, peculiar rocks, and mysterious caves, it was praised by Lin Guangchao, a Neo-Confucian scholar of the Song Dynasty, as the “Little Wuyi.”

At the foot of Shisuoshan Mountain in Maixie Village, a stone path winds upward. To the right stands the imposing Tieyi Peak, while to the left is a massive hundred-foot boulder inscribed with the three characters “Qiaogu Shan” (Woodcutter Valley Mountain), which are said to have been handwritten by Kublai Khan, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty.

Historical records indicate that during the late Southern Song Dynasty, a recluse named Lin Binqing, well-versed in astrology and renowned both in and out of court, lived here in seclusion. After Kublai Khan ascended the throne, he sought to recruit Lin Binqing for an official position, but Lin refused. The Yuan Emperor admired his integrity and conferred upon him the title of “Miaoying Daoji Zhenren” (Perfected One of Miraculous Response and Salvation), and personally inscribed the three characters “Qiaogu Shan” as a gift.

Opposite the huge “Qiaogu Shan” boulder is an upright peculiar rock inscribed with the words “Prayer Field for the Emperor, Blessed Land Facing Heaven.”

Next to this uniquely shaped rock is a winding stream. Large rocks are strewn across the creek, forming an exceptionally magnificent rocky landscape. Legend has it that Liu Kezhuang, a poet of the Song Dynasty, once composed poetry here and lingered, reluctant to leave.

Not far away, hidden among pristine nanmu, ke, qingtong trees, and lush bamboo, lies a large, pitch-black rock inscribed with the three large characters “Chen Gong Chi” (Chen’s Pool). It is said that beneath this rock lies a natural pool, beside which once stood the Yuan Emperor Pavilion. Later, when the pavilion was destroyed, the pool was filled in.

To the west of “Chen Gong Chi” is the Yuquan Cave, with the inscription “Yuquan Yan” (Jade Spring Rock) above its entrance. This cave is about 100 meters long and leads directly to the eastern side of Maixie Rock Temple. To the east is the Yinzhen Cave, where the three characters “Yingzhen Jing” (Realm of True Responses) remain. Towering trees surround the cave like a canopy. Passing through the cave, you will encounter natural stone caves such as the Meihua Cave and the Huanzhu Cave.

Beyond these caves stands Maixie Temple, built against a massive cliff. It is said that the temple was established by a monk named Zi Yong during the Song Dynasty. Through the vicissitudes of time and generations of restoration, it has taken its current form.

Maixie Temple is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with soaring upturned eaves and a majestic presence. To the northeast of the temple lies a secret path leading straight to the mountaintop, lined with rugged and interlocking rocks along the way. At the summit of Maixie Rock, a giant rock stands suspended in midair. Legend has it that whenever the weather changes abruptly, the rock emits a deep, bell-like sound audible from miles away, hence earning the name “Bell Rock.” As a result, this mountainous region is called Zhongshan (now Zhongshan Town).

Near Bell Rock is a massive boulder known as “Zhanxing Shi” (Star-Observing Rock). It is said that Zheng Qiao, a historian of the Song Dynasty, once stayed here and observed celestial phenomena atop this rock at night. The rock still bears the four large characters “Kaichuang Yan Pai” (Pioneering Rock Tablet) and around a hundred smaller characters, all written in a flowing script. However, due to age and weathering, they are now difficult to discern.

Near Zhongshi, there is a massive rock called the "Astrology Stone." Legend has it that Zheng Qiao, a historian of the Song Dynasty, once lived here and used to observe celestial phenomena on the "Astrology Stone" at night. The stone still bears four large characters carved as "开创岩牌" (meaning "Pioneer Rock Tablet") and about a hundred smaller characters. Though once boldly written, the inscriptions have faded over time due to weathering and are now difficult to discern.