Fishing Terrace in Misty Rain

Fishing Terrace in Misty Rain

The graceful and serene Xiujian River flows through the ancient city of Yuanzhou before continuing on its way. About three kilometers from the city, it is blocked by a huge rock. The river lingers here for a while before making a sharp turn, leaving behind a deep pool as it moves on. This dark green, deep pool is called Leitan.

The charm of Leitan lies in a huge, disc-shaped rock that juts out into the middle of the river. Its flat surface allows visitors to peer down into the pool below, where plump fish can often be seen—making it an ideal spot for fishing. Many refined scholars, in their leisure time, frequently came here to fish. During the Qing Dynasty, a county magistrate named Yang Kun, who had a passion for literature, one day decided to have the three characters “钓鱼台” (“Fishing Terrace”) carved into the stone cliff behind the rock. From then on, the fame of Leitan gradually spread far and wide.

In fact, the Fishing Terrace with a story is not here but at Zhen Mountain, which is still about three kilometers away. Zhen Mountain, also known as Yan Mountain, is remarkable not for its height. What makes it unique is its “steep cliffs and oddly shaped rocks,” including one that is eight feet long and wide, and over ten feet tall, resembling the horn of an ox. It juts abruptly into the middle of the river, like a boat moored in the center, forcing the Xiujian River to form a deep pool here. Though today’s Fishing Terrace no longer boasts the once picturesque scenery of clear waters teeming with fish and lush green mountains and trees, the cliff inscriptions behind the rock...

...including the rock-carved “Record of Zhen Mountain Rock” written by Tang Dynasty scholar-official Lu Zhao, remain a popular destination for those seeking history and serenity. The full text originally contained 303 characters, but after more than 1,160 years of wind and rain erosion, most of the characters are no longer legible. However, over 80 characters still remain, their strokes bold and vigorous, clearly discernible, allowing us to touch a piece of cultural heritage that has transcended a thousand years.

Yet, faced with two “Fishing Terraces,” people can’t help but wonder: which “Fishing Terrace” does the “Fishing Terrace in Misty Rain,” one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yichun, actually refer to?

According to historical records and research, since the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties,

Leitan Fishing Terrace has been widely recognized by society as one of the Eight Scenic Spots.