Nancheng Conggu Mountain

Nancheng Conggu Mountain

Situated one kilometer southeast of the county town and spanning 1,800 mu, Conggu Mountain stands tall beside the river with a majestic presence. It is said to be named after Conggu, the younger sister of the legendary fairy Magu, who attained immortality through her cultivation on this mountain.

The mountain consists of two main peaks — the northern and the southern. The northern peak, like a pillar holding up the sky, is called Tianzhu Peak (Pillar Peak), while the southern peak resembles a divine turtle about to take flight and is known as Feiaoliao Peak (Flying Turtle Peak). The two peaks almost touch, separated by just a few feet, creating a narrow, steep stone crevice. Looking up from the bottom of the cleft, the sky appears as a thin line—a sight known as “One Line Sky.” A small stone arch bridge, two meters long, spans the cliffs at the top of the peaks and is called “Butian Bridge” (Sky-Walking Bridge).

On the eastern and western cliffs of Feiaoliao Peak are inscribed three large characters, “Feilaifeng” (Flying Turtle Peak), written by the renowned Ming Dynasty scholar Luo Rufang. Each character is approximately two meters square, with bold and flowing strokes that seem almost supernatural. The famous traveler and scholar Xu Xiake once wrote: “Exiting the east gate of Jianchang, crossing Taiping Bridge, I walked south along the stream for five or six li, then turned west for one li, exiting from the southern side of Conggu.” In his travelogue “Jiangyou Youji,” he noted: “Climbing northward onto the rock face, called ‘Feiaoliao Peak,’ in front of the rock is the ‘Changchun Pavilion.’ To the east of the pavilion is the ‘Aofeng Hall.’ Further inside is where Master Luo lectured. Behind it, the rock juts out sharply, with the reversed inscription ‘Yinkong’ [Seal of Emptiness]. Below is a square pool named ‘Yuleng Quan’ [Jade Cold Spring].” Slightly lower near the cliff base, there is the small inscription “Wukong” [Awakened to Emptiness], and further north, “Xixin Chi” [Heart-Cleansing Pool]. In ancient times, there was a small pool here with shimmering water that dazzled and refreshed the spirit, though today only traces remain. Slightly farther north, a few meters from the base of Tianzhu Peak, there are two caves — one called “You Dong” (Oil Cave) and the other “Mi Dong” (Rice Cave). Legend says these caves once produced oil and rice, but when a greedy monk enlarged them, the supply dried up. Along the eastern and western cliffs of the two peaks, there are also inscriptions such as “Tianxia Qiguan” (World’s Wonder), “Bili Wanren” (Cliffs Soaring Thousands of Ren), and “Yu Li” (Jade-Like Standing), though many have faded over time due to weathering and are now hard to discern.

On the eastern slope of the mountain, a stone path called “Tianti” (Heavenly Ladder) leads to the summit. After climbing several dozen meters along the ladder, you’ll come across two standing rocks forming a gateway known as “Tieguan” (Iron Gate). Ascending another ten meters or so, you’ll reach the “One Line Sky,” an extremely narrow crevice where visitors must pass single file. Inside, a huge boulder is wedged precariously between two sheer cliffs. Crawling beneath the boulder, you can look up to see cliffs over ten meters high, as if cleaved by axe and chisel.

The crevice stretches over ten meters and the surroundings are tranquil, with cool breezes drifting through. Exiting the “One Line Sky,” you arrive at the western side of the two peaks, where you’ll find “Pingyu Dongtian” (Jade-Screened Grotto Heaven). The rocks here are also oddly shaped — including Chessboard Rock, Step-Frog Rock, Hanxu Cave, Nieyun Cliff, and Lion Rock — some resembling lotus buds ready to bloom, others like a flying swan spreading its wings, or a toad about to leap. Ancient visitors praised: “Magu Mountain is known for its spectacular waterfalls, while Conggu Mountain is famed for its bizarre rocks.” Inscriptions here include “Penglai Xianguo” (Fairyland of Penglai) and “Zhenyi Qianren” (Shake Dust from Clothes atop a Thousand Ren Cliff). Climbing several dozen meters along the southwestern cliff of Tianzhu Peak, you’ll reach the summit. The flat mountaintop can accommodate hundreds of people. From here, you can gaze upon four surrounding mountains that form a ring, standing like emerald screens amid drifting mist. To the northeast, the Xijiang River winds around, locked by a long bridge. Looking down, you’ll see vast plains dotted with dozens of villages. To the south and north, the clear waters of the Xushui River stretch out, with distant sails on the horizon — a breathtaking panorama unfolds before your eyes. When strong winds blow, rustling your clothes and refreshing your spirit, you’ll feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility and joy.