Gem Fairyland Scenic Area

Gem Fairyland Scenic Area

The Gem Fairyland Scenic Area in Xingguo County is located 13 kilometers north of Xingguo City, covering a total area of approximately 30 square kilometers. It is a uniquely distinctive tourist scenic area along the Beijing-Kowloon Railway tourism route, integrating Danxia landforms, historical sites, cultural landscapes, and natural mountain-water scenery. The area naturally features eight major scenic zones including Gem Fortress, Eight Immortals Rock, East (West) Well, Gem Fairyland, Shangri-La, Dreamy Western Paradise, Phoenix Ridge, and Swan Lake, with over 120 scenic spots. There are also well-preserved historical and cultural sites such as numerous relics left by Wen Tianxiang when he established his administration to resist the Yuan Dynasty and stationed troops, traces of the inn where Hai Rui once stayed overnight, the former site of Deng Xiaoping’s Red Seventh Army headquarters, and remnants of World War II fortifications.

Centered around Swan Lake in Laowei Village, Gaoxing Town, the scenic area features interconnected landscapes of mountains and waters, extending across an area of about 30 square kilometers. It is divided into eight major scenic zones with over 140 attractions, including Tongtian Rock, Lashih Fortress, Swan Lake, Gem Fortress (Tianjingjia), Shihu Mountain, Boat Rock, Chatouwo, and Yanziqian. Each zone has its distinct features and forms a natural “stone forest painting” crafted by nature’s artistry; the shimmering, mirror-like Swan Lake; the idyllic Shangri-La surrounded by lush bamboo forests, birdsong, and floral fragrance; and the mist-enveloped, incense-filled Tongling Temple and Songyin Temple that captivate visitors. Natural landmarks such as Sage Monk Peak, Turtle Chasing the Moon, Twin Lions Playing with a Ball, Camel Hump, Echo Wall, and Eight Immortals Slaying the Dragon Valley are strikingly lifelike. Moving legends such as Ink Bamboo Forest, Upside-down Thatch Grass, and Tianjingjia continue to be passed down. The Hundred-Zhang Spring Waterfall cascades dramatically, becoming a unique highlight within Gem Fairyland. As described by the Ming Dynasty explorer Xu Xiake: “Moonlight on the Danxia land glows like precious gems; clouds swirling around the spiritual rocks resemble dragons breathing mist; venturing into the secluded valley feels like dreaming in a fairyland; and sounds echoing off the cliffs are like bells tolling in a grand hall.”

There are also well-preserved historical and cultural sites such as numerous relics left by Wen Tianxiang when he established his administration to resist the Yuan Dynasty and stationed troops, traces of the inn where Hai Rui once stayed overnight, the former site of Deng Xiaoping’s Red Seventh Army headquarters, and remnants of World War II fortifications. Gem Mountain is said to have been named personally by Wen Tianxiang, the top scholar and prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty. In the second year of the Jingyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1277 AD), Wen Tianxiang was escorting the Empress Dowager through Xingguo when they were besieged by Yuan troops. He led his forces to build a fortress on the mountain to hold their ground. As the Empress Dowager carried the imperial seal, every peak she climbed seemed to shake violently, making it difficult to stand firm—until she reached a perilous peak known as Immortal Summit, where “one man could hold the pass against ten thousand.” Only then did the ground remain steady. Wen Tianxiang praised, “Truly, this is a mountain of gems!” Thus, the name remains to this day.

Tianfu Mountain Taoist Altar. On the eastern side of Tianfu Mountain, there is a rock cave that once housed a Taoist altar of the Zhenshengdao sect. Established in the late Qing Dynasty, it flourished during the Republican era, attracting many people who came for healing and recuperation. The Zhenshengdao practice involved writing a large character for “Tao” or “Calm” on the wall, with followers facing the character and performing arm-swinging exercises. This sect was banned in the 1960s, and the government demolished the buildings on Tianfu Mountain.

Lion Rock is located on the southern side of the limestone peak of Taishan, which stands 401 meters above sea level. There are caves on both the southern and northern sides of the mountain. The northern cave, on the southern side of Zhongzhai, is called Limestone Cave, while the southern one is Lion Rock—an oval-shaped natural recess in the rock that resembles a lion’s open mouth, hence the name. The cave extends over 20 meters deep, with a width of more than 50 meters and a height of about four to five meters. Its crevices run deep and connect to the limestone caves of Zhongzhai behind the mountain, but only small animals like cats and dogs can squeeze through. Inside Lion Rock flows a spring known as Guanyin Spring, with crystal-clear water that locals believe has healing properties.

Eight Immortals Rock is a majestic natural cave. Beneath it lies a narrow canyon-side crevice. Legend says that in ancient times, a vicious dragon came to Gem Fairyland intending to submerge the area under the sea to create its own dragon palace garden. However, it encountered the Eight Immortals gathered at this rock, performing magic to lure the dragon into the crevice, trapping and eventually subduing it. Ever since, the place has been called Eight Immortals Rock.

Boat Rock is renowned for its spectacular stone peaks. First, there is a cluster of steep, towering rock formations that inspire awe. These majestic peaks take on shapes resembling a “Sage Monk Peak,” a “Camel Hump,” an “Elephant Trunk Peak,” a “Turtle Peak,” and a “Pagoda-like Peak (Chazi Peak),” among others. The most breathtaking part of Gem Fairyland’s peaks is found at Boat Rock.