Lion Rock Scenic Area

Lion Rock Scenic Area

The Ganxian Lion Rock Scenic Area is located in the northern part of Ganxian County, within the territories of Meilin Town, Chutan Town, and Maodian Town, approximately 7 kilometers from the city center. It borders the Gannan Avenue and Gongjiang North Avenue to the east, the urban expressway section of Ganxian County to the south, and the Rui-Gan section of the Xiarong Expressway to the north. The planned area of the scenic zone spans 5,258 mu.

Lion Rock and Swallow Rock have been renowned since ancient times alongside Tongtian Rock and Mazu Rock as the Four Famous Rocks of Southern Jiangxi. Lion Rock (also known as Jiuxian Mountain) earned its name due to its resemblance to a giant reclining lion when viewed from afar. According to *The Biographies of Immortals*, Guangchengzi, who lived during the same period as the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan, once cultivated immortality and practiced Taoism here. During the Tang Dynasty, Monk Jiliang from Songshan Mountain in Henan built the Yunxian Temple here, making Lion Rock a sacred Buddhist site ever since. Its incense has burned continuously for a thousand years. Additionally, Lion Rock is associated with many historical figures. Legend has it that the Song Dynasty’s Wen Tianxiang once stopped here to rest while searching for his father in his youth. During the Republican era, Chiang Ching-kuo set up a training camp here to drill soldiers. Swallow Rock got its name from its shape, which resembles a flying swallow. The Swallow Rock Temple is situated where the “eye” of the swallow would be, built during the Ming Dynasty. This serene and elegant ancient temple enjoys thriving incense offerings, with hundreds of visitors coming to dine vegetarian and worship on the first and fifteenth days of each month at its peak.

Based on the overall tourism plan of Ganxian County and the spatial development concept of the northern urban area, combined with historical conditions, current realities, and future development needs, Lion Rock Scenic Area is positioned as a destination characterized by Buddhist culture and plum blossom culture, integrating functions such as ecology, sightseeing, science education, and leisure.

According to the function, attributes, features, and existing environmental conditions of the planning subject, Lion Rock Scenic Area is proposed to be divided into six major functional zones: the Buddhist Culture Zone, Plum Blossom Culture Zone, Tourism & Leisure Service Zone, Farming Experience Activity Zone, Nursery Base, and Low-density Residential Zone. Although the structural layouts of each functional zone differ, the transitions in landscape and sightseeing characteristics among them are gradual. Adjacent functional zones share inherently similar and interconnected elements, yet each maintains its unique features without redundancy.

In line with the actual conditions of Ganxian County, the development of Lion Rock Scenic Area is planned to be carried out in three phases. The first phase mainly includes projects such as the Buddhist Culture Zone, Plum Blossom Culture Zone, nursery base, and construction of major roads. The second phase focuses on low-density residential development and the Farming Experience Activity Zone. The third phase primarily involves the Tourism & Leisure Service Zone.