Sanfeng Mountain

Sanfeng Mountain

Sanfeng Mountain is located one kilometer south of the urban area. It features three mountain peaks standing in a row, hence the name "Sanfeng" (Three Peaks) Mountain. It is also called Tianguan Mountain (Heavenly Crown Mountain) because its summit is square-shaped, with two hanging ridges resembling a royal crown. According to the *Xinjun Annals*, the mountaintop naturally divides into two valleys. Springs flow through caves in these valleys: the eastern one is called "Flying Snow," and the western one is called "Spouting Pearls." In spring and summer, the water flows continuously with a murmuring sound; in autumn and winter, after prolonged clear weather, the flow becomes a gentle trickle. Below the cliffs on either side are small pools of clear, still water. The surrounding mountains embrace the area like an arch. The Ming Dynasty statesman Xia Yan once built the Xiangshan Thatched Cottage here. The Song Dynasty scholar Xu Shao studied here. When Wang Anshi visited Xu Shao, he stayed for several days and composed a poem upon departure: > "Lush bamboos and tall trees stand in verdant clusters, > Claiming the mountain's beauty and the splashing springs. > Though I’ve roamed free all my life in cheerful leisure, > Officials still seek talents far and wide."

Zhao Mengfu of the Yuan Dynasty once erected a stele here, inscribing and composing calligraphy that vividly depicted the scenery of Guixi. Though the stele has long been lost, the poems and writings he composed for the Twenty-Four Scenic Spots of Tianguan Mountain still survive. These include: **Dragon Mouth Rock**: > Steep cliffs form walls on all sides, > Cold springs flow as if two dragons take flight. > Mortals suffer the summer’s heat, > But this immortal mountain already knows autumn’s chill. **Immortal Foot Rock**: > Within a secluded stone chamber, > Lie the footprints of an immortal. > Tell the shepherd boy, > Take care not to harm my feet. **Stone Man Peak**: > The mighty giant spans the heavens, > Since when did he turn to stone? > Standing alone for thousands of years, > Unknown to all since ancient times. **Thunder God Rock**: > The Thunder God rises like a coiled dragon, > Bringing rain for the nation. > Lightning strikes like golden serpents, > Who dares to mock him? **Fishing Platform**: > Immortals seek nothing, > Sitting on stones without fishing. > Fie upon the old man in a sheepskin coat— > Same name, but not the same tune. **Herb-Washing Pool**: > Where immortals dwell in seclusion, > A clear pool washes herbs. > Golden elixirs are born in baths, > Jade-like waters nourish naturally. **Elixir-Refining Well**: > After the elixir was made, the immortals departed, > Leaving behind a well of icy spring water. > Its sweetness is unparalleled, > Drinking from this jade pool is like swallowing liquid pearls. **Long Corridor Rock**: > The elongated rock resembles a corridor, > With clear springs flowing below. > Ancient immortals of the mountain > Walk beneath the moon, coming and going freely. **Moon Rock**: > The Moon Rock curves like a crescent, > Wind and springs sprinkle like bright snow. > This immortal realm lies within the mortal world, > Truly a marvel of twin wonders. **Fragrant Rock**: > Dangerous mountain paths are traversed by birds, > Deep waters hide dragons. > Who says immortal music plays? > The wise are deaf to such sounds. **Wind Mountain**: > Mountain pheasants love their feathers, > Pecking and drinking among jade trees. > Reflecting in quiet cold pools, > They soar and gather among fallen petals. **Daoist Rock**: > Daoists originally shunned the world, > Their names and surnames unknown. > How is it that, a thousand years later, > People still visit their stone chambers? **Longevity Pool**: > When bamboo fruits ripen and winds approach, > Clear waters let fish swim freely. > Sitting in my thatched hut, > I meditate in stillness, learning immortality. **Ghost Valley Rock**: > The stones before Ghost Valley Rock > Bear Tang Dynasty inscriptions, each character extraordinary. > When will moss be scraped away, > So I may carefully read the Old Master’s stele? **Scholar’s Rock**: > Immortals are not fools, > Yet they still study in the mountains. > I lament how long I’ve neglected my studies— > Hearing this, I let out a long sigh. **Elderly Man Peak**: > There’s a rock shaped like an elderly man, > Vivid as if painted. > I bow in reverence to the South Pole Star, > Hazy amid the misty clouds. **Three Stone Mountain**: > I have a passion for springs and rocks, > And deeply love living in the mountains. > When shall I join the worthy ones, > Studying and reading my books together? **One-Line Sky**: > Like a tiny gnat dancing in a jar, > Or a frog in a well confined to its pit. > Don’t see this as just a narrow slit— > Open your eyes to nine myriad miles. **Golden Sand Ridge**: > Clinging to vines and climbing stone steps, > I ascend Golden Sand Ridge. > Dew falls, gleaming faintly, > The moon rises, shining brilliantly. **Immortal Platform**: > How high is the Immortal Platform? > Often shrouded in clouds. > Gone for three thousand years, > It still makes people yearn and gaze upward. **Spirit Pool**: > The Spirit Pool remains undefiled, > Its depth matters not. > Rest briefly amidst the rustling of pines and bamboos, > As the mountain rain arrives with a whisper. **Pond**: > Divine dragons may lurk deep, > Stone caves connect to the water realm. > Do not let children play recklessly, > Lest they stir up thunderstorms in the sky. **Wind Cave**: > The cave’s stone walls are rugged, > Inside blows a cool wind. > Who knows if Lie Yukou (the Daoist philosopher) > Did not become an immortal here? **Carefree Rock**: > This rock is named Carefree, > Able to seat a hundred people. > It’s not just a dwelling among wood and stone, > But truly neighbors with apes and cranes.

Terrace: The immortal seeks nothing, sitting on the stone without fishing. Ah, the old man in the goat-hair cloak—same name, but not the same tune. Herb-Washing Pool: Where the true immortal dwelled in seclusion, there lies a clear pool for washing herbs. Golden elixirs are born in bathing, and jade-like waters nourish themselves. Elixir-Refining Well: The elixir completed, the immortal departed; the well’s cold spring offers drink. Unparalleled in sweetness, I sip from this celestial pool the nectar of jade. Long Corridor Rock: The sheer cliff stretches like a long corridor, with clear springs flowing beneath. Ancient immortals of the mountain come and go under the moonlight. Moon

Rock: The Moon Rock resembles a crescent moon, with windswept springs scattering like bright snow. Paradise exists in the mortal realm—truly, two wonders unmatched. Fragrant Rock: The rugged mountain admits only birds’ paths, the deep waters hide dragons. Who says immortal music plays? The sage hears nothing. Wind

Mountain: The mountain pheasant adores its fine feathers, pecking and drinking among jeweled trees. It mirrors itself in the still, cold pool, soaring and gathering amid fallen blossoms. Taoist Rock: The Taoist priest, originally a world-escaper, bore no recorded name. How is it that, a thousand years later, people reach this stone chamber? Longevity Pool: When the bamboo fruits ripen and the wind rises, the clear water lets fish swim freely. Seated in my thatched hut, I sit upright, learning the art of eternal life. Ghost Valley Rock: Before Ghost Valley Rock lie stones inscribed with Tang dynasty characters, each uniquely marvelous. When shall moss be scraped away to carefully read the Old Master’s stele? Schoolhouse Rock: Immortals are no fools; even in the mountains they read. I lament how long I’ve neglected study—upon hearing this, I let out a long sigh. Elderly Peak: A stone resembles an elder, vivid as if painted. I bow in reverence to the South Pole Star, who looms misty in the fog. Three-Stone Mountain: I have a passion for springs and rocks, and deeply love dwelling in the mountains. When shall I join the worthy ones, studying and reading my books? One-Line Sky: Like a vinegar gnat dancing in a pot, or a well frog living in its pit—do not see this as merely a narrow slit. Open your eyes to nine myriad miles. Golden Sand Ridge: Climbing vines and stone steps, I ascend Golden Sand Ridge. Dew falls, glowing faintly; the moon rises, shining brilliantly. Immortal

Terrace: How high is the Immortal Terrace? Often shrouded in cloud. Gone for three thousand years, it makes people yearn anew. Spirit

Pool: The Sacred Pool remains undefiled; its depth or shallowness matters not. A brief rest, where pines and bamboos whisper, as mountain rain arrives with rustling wind. Pool: Perhaps the divine dragon lurks deep, the stone cave connecting to the water palace. Do not let playful children cause a scene—lest it triggers thunderstorm and flying rain. Wind

Cave: The stone walls form a wondrous hollow, inside which a cool wind blows. Who knows—if Lie Yukou did not become immortal here? Leisure Cliff: This cliff is named Leisure, where a hundred may sit below. Not merely a dwelling among wood and stone, but truly a neighbor to apes and cranes.