Fuxi Mountain

Fuxi Mountain

Fuxi Mountain is located three kilometers south of Qifen Village, Chongxian Township, Xingguo County, 47 kilometers from the county seat, with an elevation of 1,125.7 meters and an area of 1.2 square kilometers. The mountain features steep and majestic terrain, standing tall and graceful. To the east lies Mount Jinjing, to the west Mount Furong, to the north Mount Qingyuan, and to the south the Gong River. Perched atop, one can overlook three counties—Xingguo, Ji’an, and Taihe—and the mountain is hailed as the ancestral peak of all mountains in the county, historically known as the “Ancestral Mountain of Xingguo.”

Starting from Chongxian Township and heading north along National Highway 238, the route climbs continuously. About one kilometer from Hetang Village, you will see the Qifen Village Junfu Mountain sign. After spotting the sign, turn left, then make another left upon reaching Qifen Village to start ascending the mountain. The mountain road is a newly built 4.5-meter-wide cement path that leads directly to the summit and allows for easy passing of vehicles.

It is said that Fuxi Mountain is the source of the dragon vein of Xingguo. The ancient county chronicles state: “The dragon vein of Xingguo originates in the east from the Wuyi Mountains, passes through Yashu Mountain in Shicheng and Qiyun Mountain in Ningdu, and winds its way here to converge at Fuxi Mountain.” Another legend says that Fuxi Mountain is a heavenly treasure trove of books. “Fu” means to cover, and “si” refers to a book box. Hence, the name Fuxi Mountain means “the covered book box.” The *Yun Chuang Si Zhi* states: “In the past, Juanzi opened a stone box and found twelve secret volumes, hence the name.” Liu Xiang’s *Biographies of Immortals* also records that in ancient times, a man from Shandong caught a carp in the Heze marsh. When he cut it open, he found silk paintings inside depicting a map of a celestial mountain and secret scriptures, indicating that this was the mountain where he would ascend to immortality. This man called himself “Juanzi,” and carrying the silk painting, he sought the mountain depicted in the image. After a lifetime of hardship and tireless searching, he finally found the celestial mountain in Xingguo—the Fuxi Mountain—and attained immortality there. “Juanzi” is also referred to as the “Immortal Duke of Beihai.” At the summit of Fuxi Mountain stands a temple, originally built in the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (739), initiated by Qi Juanzi and funded by donations from the local Zeng family. The temple has experienced periods of prosperity and decline over the years. Surrounding the ancient temple is a one-person-high ancient fortress wall. In ancient times, monks built a sturdy fortress to defend against bandits. Despite a thousand years of wind and rain, moss-covered and vine-entwined, the fortress walls still stand. In front of the temple hall lies a Book Spring. Though situated atop a rocky peak, fresh spring water gushes forth, sweet and clear, flowing endlessly. A stone tablet by the spring reads: “Book Spring—books enlighten the mind, springs nourish the spirit.” Fuxi Mountain has been graced by the presence of many notable local officials and revolutionary pioneers. Zhang Shangyuan, a historian of the early Qing Dynasty, was demoted from his post at the National History Office in Beijing to serve as the county magistrate of Xingguo. During his tenure, he indulged in the landscapes of Xingguo, visiting its scenic spots, and developed a special fondness for Fuxi Mountain. He even named his personal library of ten thousand volumes the “Fuxi Mountain Pavilion.” Later, he published his poems and essays written in Xingguo under the title *Collected Works of Fuxi Mountain*. Yuan Yubing, a revolutionary pioneer of Jiangxi, was a native of the foot of Fuxi Mountain. He regarded climbing Fuxi Mountain as a way to temper his revolutionary will. On June 27, 1919, after reaching the summit, he composed the stirring verse: “Hand in hand we climb Fuxi Mountain high, Heat and sweat upon our faces rise. Last year we groaned of climbing’s pain, But now with spirits lifted, none remain. Reaching the peak, our vision spans the skies, Though arduous the trek, our hearts feel wise. Gazing afar from this celestial height, It feels as if we’ve reached Penglai’s light.” In September 1931, Mao Zedong and Zhu De commanded the Red Army on Fuxi Mountain to achieve victory at the Fangshiling Battle, successfully concluding the Third Counter-Encirclement Campaign. A famous Xingguo folk song commemorates this triumph: “Oh my, on Baiyun Mountain the victory song rings, Under Dawu Mountain green leaves sway and cling. On Junfu Mountain red flags proudly wave, By Fuxi Mountain the Red Army strides brave. Chairman Mao waves at Fangshiling’s height, Flanking the foe on both sides in fierce fight.” The majestic spirit of the Red Army and Chairman Mao’s strategic command leap off the page.

Fuxi Mountain boasts rich landscapes and numerous peculiar rocks. In the valley north of the ancient temple lies a unique rock formation, over three meters high, 0–five meters wide, and 0–six meters long, large enough to accommodate four stone tables. This rock resembles an upside-down book box. Inside the rock is a spring well. Legend says Qi Juanzi once studied diligently here, obtaining two secret volumes, and after five years of arduous effort, he eventually attained immortality. After becoming immortal, his spiritual powers became manifest, earning him immense trust from the villagers below. Whether for healing or scholarly pursuits, his responses were unfailingly wise, earning him profound reverence. This led to the successful establishment of the ancient temple. Hence, the local Zeng family, inheriting the legacy of Qi Juanzi, named the village “Qifen” (“Qi Division”) in permanent remembrance of Qi Juanzi’s ascension to immortality through his scholarly devotion within the rocky cave. On the northern side of the summit of Fuxi Mountain stands a giant frog-shaped rock, known as the Toad Stone. Legend has it that this stone toad used to sing the song “Feeding on Xingguo, Growing Fat in Taihe.” The mountain deity, displeased by this injustice, struck its mouth with a staff, leaving a gap in the toad’s mouth. There is also a flat lake at the top called Yan Lake, also known as Goose Pond. In ancient times, stone wild geese would come and rest here seasonally. The summit is flat, covered in grass and fluttering butterflies, with birds soaring and flowers blooming, earning the praise: “Standing atop the mountain, head touching the sky, with Xing and Tai, Yong and Ji spread out before your eyes.” Additionally, along the mountainside, there are uniquely shaped rocks such as Horse Saddle Rock, Chessboard Rock, Cabinet Rock, Orchid Rock, and Gauze Hat Rock, among seven in total. These rocks, second only to Dawu Mountain as the county’s second-highest peak, resemble their namesakes with striking realism, creating breathtaking scenery that captivates all who see them...