Yuhu Mountain Scenic Area

Yuhu Mountain Scenic Area

Yuhu Mountain Scenic Area is a cultural relic protection unit of Lianhua County.

Yuhu Mountain Scenic Area, a mountainous natural scenic spot, is a key cultural relic protection unit and a patriotic education base in Pingxiang. It is located one kilometer east of the county town of Lianhua County, Pingxiang City, and can be directly accessed by following Xinjian Street or Waizi Road in the county town and then turning onto the mountain-looping road. Covering a total area of 4 square kilometers, the mountain range stretches for dozens of miles, with the main peak, Yuhu Mountain, standing at an elevation of 380 meters. The mountain features majestic and steep peaks covered with lush, layered ridges. It is renowned for its combination of peaks, rocks, waterfalls, caves, clouds, and forests, and is especially celebrated for its grandeur, uniqueness, perilousness, beauty, and serenity. Yuhu Mountain was historically known as “Hu Mountain.” Legend has it that it was formed from a celestial jade pot discarded by the Monkey King Sun Wukong after he got drunk at the Peach Banquet and threw it away—its overall shape resembles an upside-down wine pot when viewed from afar. A wealth of ancient texts such as the *Taiping Huanyu Ji*, *Jiangxi Tongzhi*, *Luling Prefecture Records*, *Yongxin County Annals*, *Anfu County Annals*, and *Ting Records* contain detailed accounts of the mountain’s scenic wonders, immortal traces, and legendary tales of notable figures, adding to its mystique and fame. Throughout history, it has attracted numerous poets and scholars who came to explore its beauty and left behind a rich legacy of poems and literary works.

Historical figures such as Yao Chong, the eminent prime minister of the Tang Kaiyuan era; Yang Yunsong, a renowned Taoist master; Zhou Bida, the Left Prime Minister of the Song Dynasty; Li Qi, the top scholar of the Yuan Dynasty; the great monk and poet Li Sisheng; Liu Yuanqing, the Ming Dynasty philosopher and litterateur; Xu Xiake, the great traveler; Li Dongyang, the Grand Secretary and poet; and Zhu Yifan, the Han literature tutor of the Qing Xuantong Emperor, have all visited or lived in seclusion on this mountain. The mountain hosts cultural heritage sites related to Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, including Yuanyang Temple, Fayu Temple, Wenfeng Pagoda, and Huanwen Pavilion. There are also humanistic landmarks such as Yao Chong’s study platform and ink-washing pool, the iron-calligraphy poem by Yang Yunsong of the late Tang Dynasty, and the poetry stele of Liu Yuanqing. The natural scenery on the mountain is incredibly diverse. The three major cave attractions—the Yuanyang Cave, Rui Zhu Cave, and Stone Cave—are shrouded in mystery. The Yuanyang Cave is located on the southern foothills of Yuhu Mountain. According to the *Taiping Huanyu Ji*: “Ten li away lies the Yuanyang Cave, beside which is Yuanyang Temple. Yao Yuanzhong of the Tang Dynasty once studied here.” It also states: “The stone chamber opens up into a vast space, so awe-inspiring that neither humans dare to enter nor beasts dare to peek. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as the dwelling place of spirits, dragons, and snakes. When Yao Yuanzhong, the prime minister of the Kaiyuan era, was still a commoner, he visited this place, fell in love with its extraordinary appearance, settled nearby, and studied here for several years before completing his studies and attaining high office. The remnants of his abode, surrounded by pines and bamboo, still remain today.” Fayu Temple is situated in the heart of Yuhu Mountain. In the first year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (627 AD), the monk Taishangren traveled through Qinting and admired the serene landscape around Yuhu Peak. He chose this site to establish a sacred place, naming it Fayu Temple, also known as Louge Temple, and it ranked first among the five most famous temples in the region. The Song Dynasty’s Wen Tianxiang inscribed the characters “Juetang Temple.” Over the dynasties, Fayu Temple enjoyed flourishing incense offerings and widespread renown, attracting endless streams of worshippers. Additionally, Yuhu Mountain is home to its “Three Wonders”: the grotesquely shaped rock formations, the milky-white stalactite landscapes, and the “Heavenly Waterfall” that seems to hang from the sky atop the mountain. The burial site of Marshal Gan Zuchang, a veteran Red Army soldier, is tucked away among verdant pines and cypresses, drawing visitors who come to pay tribute to the achievements of this notable figure and reflect on the spirit of the martyrs. Yuhu Mountain boasts abundant flora and fauna resources, with vegetation coverage exceeding 80%. Rare birds and animals are well protected and thrive here. In 1992, it was approved by the Jiangxi Provincial Government as a forest park and underwent comprehensive planning. Yuhu Mountain serves as an important site for scientific research, camping, and education, as well as an ideal destination for sightseeing, summer retreats, and vacationing.