Xushui Waterfall

Xushui Waterfall

Xushui Waterfall

Located on the Xuemuling Ridge in Yaoxi Village, Yiqian Town, it is the source of the Fu River, as documented in both the "Geographical Records" section of the *Book of Han* and Li Daoyuan’s *Commentary on the Water Classic*. The highest peak is Linghua Peak, reaching an altitude of 991 meters. The mountain is full of rugged rocks and numerous fissures, from which springs spout with a gurgling noise. These gather at Xuemuling to become a slender initial flow — the very first waters of the Fu River. The source stream then splits into two: one flowing through Limuzhuang and the other through Luojiadi, forming a mountain brook. After traveling ten li, the two streams converge at Mutoukeng, where they give rise to five pools and seven waterfalls. The waterfall hangs like a curtain of pearls, cascading down in three plunges.　

The stream flows through Longjing and Tianjingli to form the Yiqian Harbor. It then meanders around Yiqian Town, passing through Gaohunao, Yangxi Township, and other areas, before joining with the Tangfang Harbor at Shizuitou in Chishui. From this confluence, it is called the Xujian River (the upper reaches of the Fu River). Within Guangchang County, the Xujian River passes through six towns — Yiqian, Gaohunao, Yangxi, Chishui, Xujian, and Gan Zhu — receiving the waters of 11 harbors and 69 streams, stretching a total length of 78.95 kilometers with a drainage area of 1,568.5 square kilometers. The Xujian River flows from Luojiavillage in Gan Zhu Town into Nanfeng County, then continues through Nancheng to receive the Lichuan River, and through Fuzhou to take in the Yihuang River and the Le’an River, among others, eventually forming the Fu River, which flows into Poyang Lake and then the Yangtze River.　

The name "Xuemuling" (Blood Wood Ridge) comes from the wild medicinal plant Spatholobus suberectus (commonly known as "chicken blood vine") that grows abundantly on the ridge, as well as place names at the mountain’s base such as "Limuzhuang" and "Mutoukeng." In addition, the area is characterized by steep mountains, rugged slopes, and winding paths. Thus, the name "Xuemuling" not only summarizes the mountainous terrain, plant life, and geographical features of the Fu River's source but also hints at the treacherous and twisting nature of the ancient post road.