Pangu Mountain

Pangu Mountain

A Buddhist Sacred Site — Pangu Mountain. Many places across China are called "Pangu Mountain," and the culture of Pangu is widely spread. The ancient text that provides detailed records of "Pangu Mountain" is Luo Ping’s *Lu Shi · Qian Ji Yi* from the Northern Song Dynasty. The book states: “Now in Huichang of Gan (Jiangxi), there is Pangu Mountain, originally named Pangu; in Xiangxiang there is Pangu Bao, and in Yudu there is Pangu Ancestral Temple, which refers to Pangu.” Before the Republic of China, Huichang was administratively divided into five townships: Quanxiang, Xiangxiang, Fu, Hua, and Cheng. Xiangxiang governed the area south of the county seat, and Pangu Bao was part of it, located in what is now Pangu Village in Yunmenling Town. Similar place names include Pangu Village, Pangu Pass, and Pangu Ridge. Huichang’s Pangu Mountain is situated in Minfan Village, 7 kilometers south of Yunmenling Town. Since ancient times, it has been home to the famous Ten Scenic Spots of Pangu. Countless historical figures have visited Pangu Mountain, leaving behind numerous poems and essays that enrich its cultural heritage. During the Song Dynasty, the Foutu Palace was built on the mountain. Today, Meilin Temple remains, housing nine stone tablets including the *Pangu Stockade Gate Stele Record*, five of which date back to the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. According to old records from Huichang County, Yunmenling Town once had the Meilin Temple on Pangu Mountain, known as a famous temple in Huichang. Zeng, a successful candidate in the imperial examination during the Southern Song Dynasty, wrote an essay titled *Record of Pangu Mountain*, stating: “Its ridges twist and rise steeply,” and “Originally called Pangu, but Pangu was mistakenly changed to Gu (ancient).” Zhu Wei of the Qing Dynasty also composed a piece titled *Pangu Mountain*. Pangu Mountain features steep cliffs on all sides, faces the Xiang River to the east, and rises prominently, standing above all other peaks. The mountaintop is covered with lush pines and bamboo. The central slope is relatively flat, resembling a large circular plateau about 5 kilometers in circumference and 1.5 kilometers in diameter. All climbable areas of the summit are fortified with strong mountain strongholds, except for the southwest side, where a stone stairway has been carved into the cliffside, famously known as “the one and only path up Pangu Mountain since ancient times.”

Mountain Gate

This is the entrance gate to the mountain — a memorial archway-style stone gate from the Ming and Qing periods. It stands 5.4 meters high and 4.6 meters wide, featuring palace-style stone eaves and exquisitely carved details. The central gate lintel is inscribed horizontally with the three large characters “Pangu Mountain,” while the upper and lower sections are adorned with carvings of the Eight Immortals and the motif of two dragons playing with a pearl, signifying its deep connection with the Eight Immortals. This stone gate is a key cultural relic protection unit of Huichang County.

Sunrise Viewing from the Heights

Surrounded by steep cliffs and facing the Xiang River to the east, the mountain is tall and majestic, truly “towering above all others.” Every morning, watching the sunrise from the mountaintop, you can see the red sun bursting forth from the sea of clouds — a spectacular sight. Visitors who are interested can experience this breathtaking moment firsthand.

Husband-and-Wife Ginkgo

This is an ancient ginkgo tree with both male and female characteristics, locally called the “white fruit tree.” Also known as the “grandfather-grandson tree,” it is said that the grandfather plants the tree, and the grandson enjoys its fruit. In the scientific community, it is referred to as a living fossil. Such ancient trees are quite rare today. Legend has it that this white fruit tree was planted during the Tang Dynasty and is already over 1,300 to 1,400 years old. Folklore tells that the Fairy He Xiangu battled an ancient Buddha, and when she threw a silver needle from her hair at him, he caught it and threw it toward Pangu Mountain. It landed, took root, and grew into this ginkgo tree.

Meilin Temple

Meilin Temple was first built in the 21st year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1522). At that time, the temple had 36 courtyards, totaling more than 300 rooms, and housed over 300 monks and nuns, making it the largest Buddhist temple in Huichang’s history. Several relics remain in the temple today, including the *Pangu Stockade Gate Stele Record*, though due to weather erosion and human factors, the inscriptions have become blurred. The current two-courtyard, three-bay structure is believed to be a modern reconstruction. Though usually not heavily frequented by worshippers, during temple festivals, the number of visitors and pilgrims can exceed a thousand.

Immortal’s Well

Legend says the spring water in the well is connected to the Xiang River — when the Xiang River is clear, so is the well water; when the Xiang River is muddy, so is the well water.

Twin Breast Peaks

The peaks are strikingly realistic, closely resembling the full, round breasts of a young woman. Locals call them “Nipple Mountain.”

Martyrdom Site of the Red Army

In 1934, the 6th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 64th Regiment of the 22nd Division of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army engaged in a desperate battle with enemy forces on Pangu Mountain. Eventually, running out of ammunition and supplies, the Red Army soldiers chose death over surrender. They leapt off the cliffs together in a heroic act of martyrdom. If someone were to compile and adapt this historical account, it would undoubtedly make a powerful story. Just as Langya Mountain has its Five Heroes, Pangu Mountain has hundreds — the tragic and heroic scene is easy to imagine.