Sanling Mountain

Sanling Mountain

The karst caves discovered in Sanling Mountain so far include: Yu Jun Cave, Moonlight Cave, Osmanthus Rock, Wenchang Cave, Arhat Cave, Eight Immortals Cave, Yuantong Cave, and Tianchi, among others. The most famous sites are the Three Stars Palace, Immortal Pool, Sanling Fairy Palace, and the underground river and waterfall of the Five Thunders Opening Jade Gate. It is one of the highlights of Sanling Mountain’s scenery.

【Three Stars Palace】The cave ceiling tilts slightly forward, and the entrance is spacious and bright. A horizontal stone lies in the center, about one meter high, with another stone resting against it, resembling the serene posture of the God of Longevity waiting to receive blessings. On the front rock wall, there are natural hand and footprints. People call them the God of Fortune and the God of Prosperity. As the saying goes: "Fortune is like the handprint, and the footprint is prosperity; handprints and footprints leave behind happiness, and the God of Longevity can be seen in the Three Stars Cave."

【Immortal Pool】A door separates heaven and earth; inside the cave, the jade pool faces the blue sky—this is the very image of the Immortal Pool. The pool is divided into two halves by a stone gate, creating an inner and outer section, referred to as "between heaven and earth." The inner cave is the jade pool where immortals bathe, warm in winter and cool in summer. Three nanmu trees stand in the pool, evergreen all year round. Visitors must bend down to pass through the cave door to enter the pool. Once inside and looking up, one can’t help but marvel—it is truly a heavenly place where man and nature unite.

【Sanling Fairy Palace】Sanling Fairy Palace consists of three cave clusters, a masterpiece of nature from hundreds of millions of years ago. Inside the caves, stalactites hang densely, stone stalagmites stand tall, peculiar rocks compete in beauty, and clear springs flow gently, maintaining a constant temperature of around 17°C. Its winding cave structures and magnificent stone landscapes attract visitors from all over. Entering from the cave mouth, at the top of the entrance there is a stone that resembles both a snowman and the Buddha sitting facing south, believed to protect the various immortals within the cave. The cave is divided into three levels: The first level is the Gathering of Immortals, where variously shaped stalactites hang from the ceiling—some resembling the Buddha, some Guanyin, some the God of Wealth, and more, totaling over a hundred, hence the name Gathering of Immortals. The second level spans several hundred square meters. Its main attractions include the Penglai Fairyland, Jade Stalagmites Like Pearls, Single Lion Guarding the Gate, Mouthwatering Sight, Sea-Calming Lotus Treasure Pillar, Buddhist Pure Land, Upside-Down Bats, God of Longevity and Immortal Peach, Whale Stealing Immortal Grass, Cave Stone Forest, Ice World, Spirit-Walking Realm, Stalagmite Beaded Curtain, and a strikingly lifelike Western woman with golden hair, blue eyes, and a tall nose, showcasing her beautiful charm before visitors. There is also a Musical Stone that plays musical notes when tapped. The most magical thing in this hall is seven live mountain mice, each weighing three pounds, that reside here year-round. Visitors can feed them. The third level is also called the Sun-Moon Hall. Its main attractions include a basin-sized immortal basin filled with sacred water that remains fresh year-round. Drinking it offers a cool, sweet taste like the nectar of the heavens. Beside the basin are the Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, with sea lions behind them. Next to the divine lion stand the Eighteen Arhats. Other sights in this hall include the Immortal Bed and Immortal Stool.

Peculiar Stones

Sanling Mountain is famed for its bizarre rocks and unique trees. So far, discovered formations include: Monkey King Worshipping the Pagoda, Immortals Building a Bridge, Dinosaurs Patrolling the Mountain, Bears Foraging, Viewing Platform, Hibiscus Platform, Immortal Peach Stone, Three Stars Official, Osmanthus Stone, Tianchi Rock, Twin Phoenixes Facing the Sun, Horse Hoof Spring, Flock of Sheep Crossing the Mountain, Stone Water Tank, Mandarin Ducks Searching for Their Mate, Heavenly Dog Gazing at the Moon, and Flying Stone. Many more unique rocks await your discovery and appreciation. At newly discovered rock sites, we will engrave the names of the discoverers, letting history record the spark of wisdom in that moment.

【Fairy Spring and Monks’ Ridge】Fairy Spring is a perennially flowing spring where monks from Sanling Mountain Temple would fetch water. To carry the water, they had to cross a long mountain ridge named “Monks’ Ridge.” Legend says this ridge got its name because the story of “Three Monks Fetching Water” originated here.

【Dragon Head Stone】The highest peak of the mountain is formed by a giant boulder that resembles the head of a dragon about to take flight. The Dragon Head Stone bears the inscription “Auspicious Dragon Soaring” written by the renowned Taoist Cheng Weixiang, which is why locals call it the Dragon Head Stone. It is also the best spot to watch the sunrise. There is also a Lovers’ Bridge on the Dragon Head Stone.

【Stone Ox Pen and Stone Water Tank】Past the Dragon Head Stone lies the Stone Ox Pen and Stone Water Tank area, home to a variety of ancient tree species that thrive on rocky mountains. The flora here is abundant and dense. The most famous rock formations in the area are the “Stone Ox Pen” and “Stone Water Tank,” making it an ideal place for summer retreats.

【Horse Hoof Spring】Shaped like a horse’s hoof, it is said to have been left by Yue Fei galloping on horseback in pursuit of fleeing enemies. To this day, the Horse Hoof Spring water remains as clear as a mirror, offering a refreshing and pleasant taste.

【Welcoming Nanmu Tree】A noble ancient tree that has weathered storms and bore scars, yet still stands proudly against the mountains, cradling the mountain path in its embrace and extending a friendly hand to welcome visitors from all directions. In autumn, its branches are laden with fruit—small green stone fruits that can be made into delicious dishes and are also a valuable medicinal herb.

【Natural Botanical Garden and Oxygen Bar】The entire mountain is covered in lush, emerald-green forests teeming with a wide variety of birds and animals, where hunting has been a year-round activity. The mountain produces wild fruits that perfume the air in all seasons, including hawthorn, kiwi, bayberry, golden trumpet vine, persimmon, loquat, papaya, peach, chestnut, orange, strawberry, and more than ten other types. The broad-leaved mixed forest is home to rare and precious tree species such as camphor, nanmu, catalpa, and cypress, along with other varieties like fir, pine, osmanthus, maple, pagoda tree, lacquer tree, chinaberry, Michelia compressa, and square bamboo, all abundantly represented. There are also various types of bamboo, such as monk’s bamboo, golden bamboo, bitter bamboo, purple bamboo, water bamboo, moso bamboo, shoots bamboo, light bamboo, filial piety bamboo, rigid bamboo, red bamboo, square bamboo, phoenix-tail bamboo, and Buddha-face bamboo, among over ten kinds. Vines include ancient vines, phoenix vine, red-root vine, turtle vine, lucky hook vine, diamond vine, and snake hemp vine. Flowers include valley orchids, pure-heart orchids, magnolia, plum blossoms, phoenix orchids, winter orchids, golden rambler, photinia, five-color azaleas, canna lilies, night-blooming cereus, Chinese wild crabapple, ground-covering wildflowers, winter plum, and more. It is an ideal natural ecological garden and one of the places in Wuyuan with the most complete variety of tree and bamboo species.

Ancient Villages The well-preserved ancient villages here are green gems of ecological civilization, exhibitions of architectural art, and living fossils of clan systems. Rows of Huizhou-style ancient buildings, with white walls and black tiles, upturned eaves and corners, are either nestled among verdant green hills or reflected in the clear waters of streams and lakes. They offer a glimpse into the poetic unity of man and nature, returning to a simpler, more genuine way of life.

【Chongtian Ancient Village】Located one kilometer northeast of Sanling Mountain, at the southern foot of Chongshan. According to the *Wuyuan County Gazetteer of Place Names*, the village was established during the Southern Tang Dynasty (937–942 AD), with a population of over 2,000. Historically, the village produced eight imperial examination graduates, nine officials of seventh rank or higher, and 11 renowned literati who authored 35 works. Today, many Ming and Qing dynasty residences remain, scattered across fields surrounded by clear streams.

The houses are mostly two-story wooden structures with post-and-lintel frames, surrounded by fire-resistant gables, sloping green-tiled roofs, and upturned eaves. The main gates are stone-framed with decorative lintels above, and the facades are made of finely polished blue bricks with exquisite carvings. The layout of the residences typically features three bays, divided into a front hall, rear chamber, and kitchen, with front and rear courtyards. The central hall has three rooms and two side chambers, with square pillars on stone bases, lattice windows, and bluestone flooring. The beams, brackets, spandrels, protective boards, window lattices, and door headers are adorned with relief, round, and openwork carvings of dragons, phoenixes, qilins, pine trees, cranes, deer, human figures in dramatic scenes, and floral motifs like orchids, creating an elegant and refined architectural aesthetic.

【Sanling Mountain Temple Ruins】The thousand-year-old Sanling Mountain Temple, also known as Sanling Temple, was built during the Jin Dynasty. Historical records say it was named after three Taoists who attained enlightenment here, including the famous Taoist Cheng Weixiang. The temple also houses a poem by Wang Anshi dedicated to Cheng Weixiang, the Sanling Mountain sage:

“In Response to Pingfu’s Poem for Sanling Sage Cheng Weixiang”

The pines and chrysanthemums of my homeland lie half-wild, I wander year-round with staff in hand, wherever fate leads. I divine the land’s spirit not through divination, Nor judge a man’s worth by his humble origins. Long familiar with Guo Pu’s words, often proven true, In age I grow more reserved than Yan Han once was. I only wish to compile biographies of alchemists, Borrowing your name for a new book.

The present-day Sanling Mountain Temple has survived several mountain fires and reconstructions, blending Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism before finally becoming a Buddhist sacred site. The temple was last destroyed in the 1930s. From the ruins, it is evident that it once covered several thousand square meters. Today, only a grove of purple bamboo, the temple foundations, stone pillars, stone beams, the engraved stone of Wang Anshi’s poem for Cheng Weixiang, Cheng Weixiang’s tomb, and a tea tree planted by monks centuries ago (several hundred years old) remain. Mirages are often seen here, the most frequent being the sight of Guanyin inspecting the temple.

【Fuchun Grass-Twine Lanterns】The frame of the grass-twine lantern has five tiers: the bottom tier is a square frame about one meter in size, with two wooden poles on either side for carrying and a three-meter-high central pole serving as the lamp’s core. The second and third tiers are hexagonal, the fourth is square, and the fifth holds a red lantern. Each tier is spaced about a foot apart, with wooden boards as lamp trays. Hanging from the edges of each tray are large blood vines, with candles inserted among them. When danced with during festivals, the swaying vines and flickering flames, accompanied by the clamor of drums and music, create a breathtaking spectacle.

Sanling Mountain Geological Park is a premier destination for religious culture, eco-tourism, and cave exploration. It also serves as a great leisure spot for summer retreats, fishing, relaxation, vacationing, and conferences. Here, you can explore pristine forests in search of treasures, relax in Huizhou-style architectural resorts surrounded by beautiful mountains and waters, visit the ancient and perilous Sanling Temple to witness endless natural beauty, or seek thrills in the mysterious Sanling Fairyland. It is a natural botanical kingdom where you can fully enjoy the mysteries and gifts of nature. In spring, the mountain is dotted with peculiar rocks that resemble innocent village girls. In summer, visitors are drawn to swim in the green ocean of foliage. Autumn’s red leaves evoke the poetic line, “Frost-kissed leaves redder than February flowers.” When snow blankets the mountain and pines stand tall on the cliffs, it becomes a painting reminiscent of Wang Wei’s verse.

The current Sanling Mountain Temple has undergone several mountain fires and reconstructions, blending Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and eventually becoming a sacred Buddhist site. This temple was last destroyed in the 1930s. Judging from the ruins, it once covered an area of several thousand square meters. Today, only a bamboo grove, the foundation of the temple, stone pillars, stone beams, a stone engraving of a poem by Wang Anshi gifted to Cheng Weixiang, Cheng Weixiang’s tomb, and a tea tree planted by monks from an unknown dynasty (with a history of several hundred years) remain. Mirage phenomena are often seen here, most frequently the sight of Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy) inspecting the temple.

【Fuchun Grass-Twig Lantern】The frame of the grass-twig lantern has five tiers. The bottom tier is a square frame about one meter in size, with wooden poles on both sides for carrying, and a three-meter-high central wooden post serving as the lamp’s core. The second and third tiers are hexagonal, the fourth is square, and the fifth holds a red lantern. Each tier is spaced about a foot apart, with wooden boards serving as lamp trays. The edges of the trays are adorned with hanging vines of the large blood vine, with candles inserted among them. When the lantern is carried in a procession, the swaying vines and flickering candlelight, accompanied by the clamor of drums and music, create the illusion of a moving divine tree—truly a breathtaking sight.

The Sanling Mountain Geological Park is an ideal destination that combines religious culture, eco-tourism, and cave exploration. It also serves as a leisure retreat for summer retreats, fishing, relaxation, vacationing, and hosting conferences. Here, you can explore pristine forests in search of treasures, enjoy recreational activities at Huizhou-style resort villages surrounded by beautiful mountains and clear waters, experience the thrilling beauty of the thousand-year-old “Sanling Temple,” and seek excitement in the mysterious Sanling Fairyland. It is a natural botanical kingdom where you can fully immerse yourself in the wonders and gifts of nature. In spring, the peculiar rocks scattered across the mountain resemble innocent village girls. In summer, visitors are drawn to swim and frolic in this green ocean. Autumn paints the mountains in red foliage, reminiscent of the poetic line “frost-kissed leaves redder than February flowers.” When snow blankets the sacred mountain and pines stand tall against the cliffs, it becomes a painting straight out of Wang Wei’s brush.