The Magical Ayuta Pagoda

The Magical Ayuta Pagoda

The Magical Ayuta Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

About 20 kilometers south of Yongxin County’s southern gate lies the renowned site of the Longyuan Kou Victory.

Longyuan Kou is situated at the convergence of two mountain ranges, flanked by towering peaks and lush greenery. The winding Zanglong River flows from between the mountains, said to be the dragon’s saliva from the legendary “two dragons playing with a pearl.” At the entrance of the village stands a famous single-arch bluestone bridge, and on both riverbanks... It is majestic. The Tongzhi-era Yongxin County Annals record: “The Longyuan Kou Bridge is located thirty li south of the county and was built by Wu Wenyi.” On both sides of the bridge stand two iron pillars inscribed with characters such as “the 17th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty.” In 1959, it was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

About 2,000 meters further south lies Moxi Ridge, which faces off against Qixi Ridge—home to the Moon-Gazing Pavilion immortalized in the song “Ten Farewells to the Red Army.”

After ascending the mountain, the path winds through dense forests with tall trees all around. Upon reaching a mountain ridge, the scenery suddenly opens up to reveal a deep, serene valley stretching for several li, with steep cliffs, jagged rocks, and exotic flowers and trees. “The clear river flows like silk”—the Zanglong River coils like an emerald ribbon through the secluded mountain valley. Its rapids shoot forth like arrows, the currents surge like galloping horses, crashing against rocks and sending sprays flying. In calmer stretches, the water is as smooth as a mirror, crystal clear, with fish and pebbles visible at the bottom.

In the middle of the valley, a massive stone peak abruptly rises, standing majestically—this is the magical Ayuta Pagoda.

Legend has it that King Ashoka of ancient India, remorseful after engaging in excessive warfare and bloodshed, converted to Buddhism and built temples and pagodas across India, dispatching monks to spread the faith abroad. When the monks saw this peculiar stone peak amidst the mountains, they constructed a temple and pagoda here. The Yongxin County Annals from the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era and the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu era describe: “The stone peak resembles a pagoda, soaring above sheer cliffs and overlooking a deep abyss, with a flying rock nearby. Buddhist scriptures speak of 84,000 stupas of sarira, and this is one of them.” In reality, Ayuta Pagoda is a towering, pagoda-shaped rock formation, standing 180 meters high with a base circumference of about [missing measurement]. It is a spectacular sight, resembling a bamboo shoot emerging from the earth, its cliffs steep and precipitous as if carved by the hands of gods, standing firmly and proudly. The Zanglong River flows from east to west around its base. Where the ridge meets the mountain, there is a natural, secluded path leading directly to the mountainside—the only way up to the pagoda. Midway up the mountain are five meditation rooms, originally inhabited by monks in charge of maintaining the incense offerings. The pagoda is entwined with vines and overgrown with miscellaneous trees, and visitors climb up using iron chains fixed to the cliff face. On the chain, there is an iron plaque inscribed with the words: “Offered respectfully by Madam Yin, wife of Wu Chaojiu of the 56th Township of Xixiang, and her nephew Guangqing, on a lucky day in the winter month of the Year of Bingxu during the Guangxu reign.” At the top of the pagoda is a small temple facing south. Due to the strong winds at high altitude, the roof tiles are made of iron, engraved with inscriptions donated by Qing Dynasty devotees. Behind the temple door is an observation deck for watching the sunrise. From this spot, visitors are greeted by swirling mist and vapors, with a steep cliff face before them and a waterfall roaring down into the shaded valley, sounding like a tolling bell. The experience leaves one feeling refreshed and reluctant to leave.

It is said that on the 24th day of the eighth lunar month each year, marking the birthday of King Ashoka (268–232 BCE), the Buddhist grandson of King Bindusara of the Maurya Dynasty in ancient India, women from surrounding rural areas would dress in clean clothes and come together to worship on the mountain.