Scenic Tiger Harbor in Xiangshan

Scenic Tiger Harbor in Xiangshan

Xiangshan is a major mountain located in the southern part of Chongren County, historically known as Bashan. Situated about 10 kilometers west of present-day Xiangshan Town, it covers an area of 35 square kilometers, with its main peak rising to 1,219.2 meters above sea level, making it the highest peak in the county. Known as a famous mountain in eastern Jiangxi, legend has it that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, when Luan Ba served as the governor of Yuzhang, he eradicated evil and promoted virtue, earning a reputation for noble character. Under his governance, the people lived in peace and prosperity. He once toured this area and, captivated by its scenery, chose to retire here until the end of his days. To commemorate him, later generations named the mountain Bashan, referred to the administrative region as Bashan Commandery (later renamed Chongren County), and called the county seat Bashan Town.　

By the Song Dynasty, County Magistrate Sun Mao changed the name to Xiangshan to avoid the naming taboo of the character "Ba", as Luan Ba had distinguished himself in office and held the high rank of Chancellor of Pei under the Han Dynasty.

Tiger Harbor is located in Xiangshan Town, about 30 kilometers from the county seat, stretching approximately 6 kilometers in total. It is considered the “number one scenic wonder” among the surrounding mountains and valleys. Within it are three waterfalls: The first waterfall is about 1.5 kilometers from the mountain base, where clear stream water cascades down from a five- to six-meter-high rock face, sending up fine sprays of mist. Sitting on the rocks above the waterfall, one instantly feels the sweat dry up—even in the heat of summer, a refreshing coolness can be felt. Most hikers tend to feel too tired to continue beyond this point, but the best scenery is often hidden deep in the mountains. As you climb higher past the first waterfall, the terrain becomes steeper, the rocks larger, and the views more spectacular. The most thrilling is the Triple Falls, where water plunges over ten meters down broken cliff faces into a pool below, sending up showers of spray and thunderous roars that bring to mind Li Bai’s poetic line, “Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet from high / As if the Silver River fell from the blue sky.” The clarity of Tiger Harbor’s waters is such that even the word “clear” feels inadequate—it’s as if a magnifying glass lays bare every pebble and detail on the riverbed. Often, the crystal-clear stream flows gently over massive rocks, evoking the classic poetic image of “moonlight filtering through pines, and a clear spring flowing over stones.”　

Tiger Harbor boasts abundant local specialties. These include stone frogs, chestnuts, wild daylilies, fleshy mountain bracken, green bamboo shoots, wild mushrooms, along with countless rare plants, medicinal herbs, and wildlife... “A mountain need not be high to be famous if it is home to an immortal; water need not be deep to be spiritual if it holds a dragon.” The mountains of Tiger Harbor may not be tall, but they are steep and rugged; the waters may not be deep, but they are exquisitely beautiful; the forests may not be dense, but they are serene and secluded; the valleys may not be treacherous, but they are delightfully peculiar. Echoing the dreamlike beauty of the renowned Xiangshan Mountain, Tiger Harbor has become an ideal holiday destination for leisure and exploration.

Xiangshan Town: Named after Xiangshan Mountain within its territory, Xiangshan Town is located in the southern part of Chongren County. It borders Yihuang and Le’an counties to the east, south, and west, adjoins Taoyuan Township to the north, and neighbors Lipu Town in the northeast. In summary, Xiangshan Town has “four distinctive features”:

Xiangshan Town has a “long history.” Historically known as Chongren Township, it became part of Chongren County in the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), when the former counties of Xinjian, Xining, and Bashan were merged to form Chongren County. During the Song Dynasty’s Shaoxing era, County Magistrate Sun Mao renamed the mountain Xiangshan to avoid the naming taboo of Luan Ba. The ancient names of Bashan County and Bashan Commandery both originated here. Historically, regions such as Gugang, Dengxian, Taiping, Xiankou, and Xianxi... More detailed information about Xiangshan Town++