Wan’an Zaokou Cliff

Wan’an Zaokou Cliff

In 1129 during Emperor Gaozong’s reign of the Song Dynasty, due to the court’s incompetence, the Jin army launched a massive southern invasion. One contingent chased Emperor Gaozong all the way south to Fujian, while another advanced from Hubei into Jiangxi in pursuit of Empress Dowager Longyou. Empress Dowager Longyou managed to flee from Nanchang to Ganzhou before finding a moment to catch her breath. "Pusa Man · Inscribed on the Wall at Zaokou, Jiangxi" was written in 1176 by Xin Qiji, who at the time served as the Judicial Commissioner of Jiangxi. Passing by Zaokou, he was moved by the scenery and composed the poem out of deep emotion. Gazing at the river water beneath Mount Yugu, he was reminded of the blood and tears of the refugees in those years, thought of the Central Plains under enemy occupation, and couldn’t help but feel sorrow over the loss of the nation and the inability to reclaim it. The poem expresses the renowned poet Xin Qiji’s discontent with misguided policies and his patriotic devotion to the reunification of the country.

Zaokou Cliff is located in Changqiao Village, Shaping Town, Wan’an County, within the Wan’an Lake area. It faces the Wushu Guanyin Temple from afar and neighbors the Changqiao Cage Fish Viewing Ecological Leisure Spot in Shaping Town. Surrounded by lake waters with rippling waves, the area boasts beautiful surroundings and enchanting scenery. Free from industrial and mining pollution, it has a forest coverage rate of over 95%. Transportation is convenient, with access by both land and water. The site is 16 km from Wan’an County, 140 km from Jinggangshan City, 55 km from Ganzhou City, and 18 km from National Highway 105. Pusa Man · Inscribed on the Wall at Zaokou, Jiangxi

Xin Qiji

Beneath Mount Yugu the clear river flows,

How many tears from exiles it knows.

Gazing northwest to the capital I strain,

But countless hills block my view in vain.