Hundred-Zhang Terrace

Hundred-Zhang Terrace

Hundred-Zhang Terrace, also known as Zunyan or Xingtai Rock, is located southeast of Qingyuan Cave. According to the Min Shu (Book of Fujian), it was built by the eminent Song Dynasty monk Kězūn. The area features massive sprawling rocks stretching hundreds of paces, hence the name. Historically, it once had a "Pillow Cloud Pavilion" and three stone pagodas. In the early years of the Jiajing era during the Ming Dynasty, the young Wang Shenzhong studied here before later passing the imperial examinations and becoming the foremost of the "Eight Talents of Jiajing." Legend also has it that the young Yu Dayou often practiced martial arts here. During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, Quanzhou Prefect Jiang Zhili inscribed the three large characters "Hundred-Zhang Terrace," creating a spectacular sight.

Hundred-Zhang Terrace is broad and flat. With the wind in your face, you can gaze into the distance at nearby mountains and far-off waters, an expanse of boundless openness. The Jin River and Luo River converge into the East China Sea, like two dragons diving into the ocean—an awe-inspiring sight. At sunrise, when the sun rises in the east and the sky is ablaze with rosy clouds, the view is magnificent and uplifting, a true feast for the eyes.

The Ming Dynasty’s Min Shu states: Zunyan is located slightly east of the peak of the Left Rock. It was built by the monk Kězūn, where massive sprawling rocks stretch for hundreds of paces, hence named Hundred-Zhang Terrace. Kězūn erected three stone pagodas there. Kězūn, whose lay surname was Xu, was from Nan’an. He had a faint beard and blue eyes, resembling a foreign monk, yet he was diligently pious and never weary. With the donations he received, he would carve scriptures, make repentance chants, repair bridges and roads, and construct temples and scripture depositories. Huang Yuangong, an official of the rank of Chao San, had a mother who fell ill. She dreamed that someone told her, “If you receive offerings from the cave master, you will recover.” Yuangong invited Kězūn, and his mother recovered.

The Ming Dynasty’s Ba Min Tong Zhi (Comprehensive Gazetteer of Eight Fujian Provinces) states:

There are hundred-zhang rocks. On the shady side of the mountain, there are four Buddhist temples, with steep peaks rising one after another. The view from atop is like being in the heavens. Many locals visit here. The Quanzhou Prefecture Annals state: Zunyan is named after the monk Kězūn who resided here. The area spans hundreds of paces, with massive flat rocks spread out like a whetstone, also called Hundred-Zhang Terrace. Kězūn built three stone pagodas, now in ruins. There are giant footprints in the area. The Ming Dynasty’s Wang Shenzhong studied in the cave. The Quanzhou Prefecture Annals, recorded by Shen Meng, note: The mountain is in Tangyin Li, also called Qiyun Mountain, covering forty square li, and is the guardian mountain of the prefecture. … Among them, Qingyuan Cave is particularly grand and unique. There are two caves: the upper cave is called Chunyang, located at the mountain’s peak, and the lower cave is called Zize. Above it lies a massive rock, over a hundred zhang in size, with four Buddhist temples situated on its shady side, amidst the towering peaks. The panoramic view seems as if one is standing above the clouds. Outside, the sea surrounds the area, vast and boundless. On clear days, even Japan and Ryukyu can be pointed out. Truly, a wonder of the world. — from the Qingyuan Mountain Ancient Poetry Collection

Qing Dynasty poet Su Dashan wrote a poem about Zunyan: Ascending the high terrace a hundred zhang tall at dusk, ancient trees and west winds stir deep emotion. I contemplate the Mahayana faith with Tang poet Jia Dao, and follow the incense devotion of Song scholar Lu Ling. In youth, exam success startled the learned, and my writings were once hailed as heralds of cultural revival. Now, in the quiet solitude amid rock and mountain hues, crumbling walls lie far within the drifting white clouds.