Xianrenzhai Scenic Area

Xianrenzhai Scenic Area

Xianrenzhai, also known as Xianrencheng (Immortal City) or Xianrenfeng (Immortal Peak), is located 2 kilometers east of Caojia Village, Wang’er Town, Yanshan County, 15 kilometers from the Guifeng Scenic Area in Yiyang, and 8 kilometers from National Highway 320 and the Highway 311 interchange. With convenient transportation and a prime location, it is a natural scenic area known for its spectacular mountains, unique rocks, and crystal-clear waters.

Xianrenzhai features a typical Danxia landform and is a horst-type block mountain, approximately 500 meters long from north to south and 400 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of 0.2 square kilometers. The mountain is steep and rugged. Its main peak rises prominently to an elevation of 260 meters, with cliffs on all sides and no accessible paths—climbers must use two ladders joined together to reach the top. At the summit lies a cave, which legend says was once a dwelling place of immortals. It is said that immortals shed their mortal bodies here and ascended to heaven, hence the name Xianrenfeng (Immortal Peak). During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1851–1861), when the Taiping Rebellion reached Shangrao, Shen Baozhen, the prefect of Guangxin, established a fortress at the peak for defense. As a result, it is also called Xianrenzhai (Immortal Stronghold), and well-preserved ancient stone walls still remain today.

The flat summit is covered with lush bamboo and shaded trees, featuring large areas of green bamboo, crape myrtle, and osmanthus blooming in August, creating beautiful scenery. At the center stands the Xianrenfeng Temple, built during the Tang Dynasty by the monk Zhifu of the Ehu Peak Temple. The temple has enjoyed flourishing incense offerings and has been expanded through the generations. There is also a square well about 2 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 1 meter deep, with cool, clear water that can be scooped up by hand. The well never dries up year-round and served as the water source for monks living on the mountain. On the side is the Eight Immortals Rock, standing 6 feet tall, which legend says was where the Eight Immortals cultivated themselves. There is also a Relic Cave that still houses the ashes of twelve monks from various dynasties.

At the foot of the mountain lies a semi-open cave with an area of about 2,000 square meters.

Discovered in January 1983, the cave contains fragments of red-sand-mixed soft stamped pottery and the bases of pottery jars, mostly decorated with a single grid pattern. Additionally, three relatively crude stone flakes resembling ground stone tools were found. Preliminary studies identify this as a cultural site from the Shang and Zhou dynasties.