Monk Village

Monk Village

According to legend, a long, long time ago, many monks built a stronghold near Jiuxian Mountain’s Jiu Ling (Vulture Ridge) to practice martial arts. As a result, local people referred to the mountain stronghold where the monks lived as “Monk Village,” and the swamp area west of the village as “Monk Village Flat.” According to relevant records in the “Genealogy of the Zhou Clan of Mingshan,” the place names “Monk Village” and “Monk Village Flat” appeared before the Ming Dynasty. Today, “Monk Village Flat” has been turned into a pond.

Monk Village is situated on the peak to the left of a pool near the densely forested Jiu Ling (also known as Jiuxian Ridge). The fortress walls are all built of stone, with intact foundations ranging from 1 to 2.5 meters in height, forming an oval shape. The interior ground of the stronghold is flat, measuring 23 meters in length and 14 meters in width. This ancient stronghold has a unique location—there is only one passable gate on the north side. The southeast is a steep cliff, and the west side is a swampy mud pit, making it impossible for outsiders to approach. However, the gate is deliberately placed at the southern end of the stronghold, which is a dead end. This design follows the ancient military strategy of “finding life in desperation.” In times of crisis, one or two hundred people could split up through the southern gate and disappear into the cliffs within minutes, leaving no trace for the enemy. The stronghold is built against the mountain and beside the water, with its southeastern side perched atop towering cliffs, while the northwest side outside the stronghold serves as a martial arts training ground. According to on-site investigations by historians, this stronghold was built during the Song and Yuan dynasties, most likely in the early Yuan period. Legend has it that when the Yuan army massacred the martial monks of Quanzhou Shaolin Temple, some of the monks escaped to Dehua, entered Jiuxian Mountain, and built this stronghold for defense, waiting for an opportunity to make a comeback. Historians believe this stronghold served as a training and defensive base for the monks, while others suggest it was used by the Shaolin monks as a watchtower. Both interpretations have their merits, but whether it was indeed a refuge for the martial monks of Quanzhou Shaolin Temple who fell upon hard times on Jiuxian Mountain remains to be confirmed by further evidence from experts and historians.