Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area

Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area

Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area is located in Penghua Town in the northwest of Nan'an City, Fujian Province. It is known as "A single pillar reaches the sky, crowned with nine layers; a thousand peaks bow to the ground, paying homage to longevity," hence Tianzhu Mountain is also called Mount Longevity.

The scenic area features eight captivating sights: the Stone Summit of Mount Longevity, the Fragrance of Twin Lakes, the Verdant Gate, the Flower Path and Flowing Wine Cups, the Eight Immortals Playing Chess, the Greeting Twin Suns, Spring Mist and Jade Pillars, and Stone Wells Overflowing Eaves. Legend has it that the Eight Immortals once visited this place to play chess, were captivated by the landscape, and unwilling to leave for three days. Iron-Crutch Li said, “If you wish to go, you must leave a trace; we shall meet again when fate allows.” Thus, he left his footprint on the stone slab beneath Huamei Bridge. To this day, Tianzhu Mountain features the site where the Eight Immortals Played Chess, while near Huamei Water Tail there are remnants such as Immortal Traces, the Immortal’s Cave, the Immortal Holding a Goblet, and cliff inscriptions. Reflecting on the past stirs the imagination.

Tianzhu Rock is the main attraction of the scenic area. Originally built in the ninth year of the Xianchun era of the Song Dynasty (1273), it has a history of over 720 years, with a peak monastic population of 178 monks. Over the dynasties, Tianzhu Rock has been renovated several times. Today, it features carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent and magnificent. The Mahavira Hall enshrines a jade Buddha of Sakyamuni weighing 3.8 tons and standing 2 meters tall, which was imported from Myanmar by Venerable Master Shengzhong, a high monk from Indonesia and native of Sucuo Village, Puhua Town. Also imported were sandalwood statues of Master Yunyan, bells, drums, incense burners, Buddhist scriptures, and ritual instruments. In 1985, Zhao Puchu, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, inscribed the temple name. Calligraphers throughout the ages have also contributed inscriptions, couplets, plaques, and poems. On the rocks at the highest peak of Tianzhu Mountain, 500 meters from the rock temple, there is also a mysterious giant stone-carved Buddha statue. A poem by Zhuge Yantai, Vice Minister of War in the Song Dynasty, titled “Inscription on Tianzhu Rock,” reads:

Towering emerald ridges touch the sky,

Where cliffs and winds strain to sway the summit high.

Spanning south and Yong, a stronghold so grand,

The giant Buddha carved—no man can tell its span.

Back in the Southern Song Dynasty, the giant Buddha was already of unfathomable age, testifying to its long history. Who carved this giant Buddha and in which era remains a mystery to this day, one that awaits further exploration.

Behind Tianzhu Rock lies the tomb of the founding master, Master Yunyan; in front of the rock are tombs of monks through the ages. These square and round carved stone water vats are witnesses to history. The hexagonal well in front of the rock temple, with a history of over 700 years, even has a beautiful and magical legend.

With an altitude of over 1,000 meters, Tianzhu Mountain enjoys an average monthly temperature of just 16.3 degrees Celsius all year round, making it an ideal summer retreat. Visiting Tianzhu is a delight in any season. The mountain’s misty hues shine in all four seasons. From morning glow to evening haze, the scenery is ever-changing; amid wind, mist, rain, and snow, the landscape is unpredictable. The mountains are steep, bringing the sun and moon seemingly close; the peaks are lofty, making the stars appear low. Abundant rainfall nourishes the peaks, and the mild climate brings vitality to all things. In spring, one can witness the marvelous sea of fog; standing atop the mountain, watch flowers bloom and fade, clouds gather and disperse, letting the clouds and moon rise and fall, while you stand firm between heaven and earth. In summer, there is no scorching heat; while other places swelter under the blazing sun, here you enjoy cool, refreshing breezes. In autumn, you can climb high and gaze far—the surrounding landscapes are as colorful as paintings, with green pines and bamboos, red maples, golden rice fields, and fragrant fruits. Ascend the Stone Summit of Mount Longevity, and you can faintly make out the East and West Pagodas of Quanzhou; look carefully, and you can see the Twin Suns and Twin Peaks of the City of Carp. In winter, you can brew wine and admire the snow. Winter visits to Tianzhu often come with snowfall, dressing the mountain in silver, as if carved from ice and jade. Though the northern ice world is famed, do not overlook the jade-like mountains of the south—this too is a unique spectacle of the Tianzhu Scenic Area.