Wuzhang Ridge

Wuzhang Ridge

Wuzhang Ridge is located 6 kilometers south of the northern mountain highway of Mount Lu. The Qing Dynasty's Kangxi-era "Mount Lu Annals" records: "Wuzhang refers to what Wu used for protection. Some say the mountain is not high enough to be called a barrier, but in the past there was a man named Wuzhang who lived at the foot of this mountain. After his death, he was buried here, hence the name." To the northeast is Taji Mountain, beneath which lies Longquan Temple; to the north is Donglin Mountain; to the west is Tiger Mountain, and northwest of Tiger Mountain is Tianhuajing Mountain, to the southwest is Eagle Beak Cliff, and to the southeast one can see Mazu Mountain. The area spans 6,000 mu and is 20 kilometers from downtown Jiujiang. Wuzhang Ridge features steep ridges, narrow valleys, forests, springs, waterfalls, and rocks—all in abundance. South of the ridge lies Xingzi County, while north of the ridge is the Mount Lu area. At the mountaintop there was once an ancient official pavilion, and along the mountain there were post roads, namely the official route from Hongdu (Nanchang) to Jiangzhou (Jiujiang), also known as the "One-Line Sky Ancient Path." To the east of the ridge is Little Incense Burner Peak, where the Tang Dynasty poet Meng Haoran left the memorable line: "Hoisting sail for thousands of miles, yet none of the famed mountains reached my heart." Li Bai, imprisoned in Xunyang for the crime of "supporting Prince Yong," wrote: "At Muling north of Wu, all beloved ones; in Yuzhang south of heaven, my aged wife apart." Later, when his wife Zongshi came from eastern Yuzhou to visit him in Jiangzhou, Li Bai wrote again: "Knowing you climbed Wuzhang Ridge, I nearly perished with you."

In 1996, the Weijia Town established the "Wuzhang Ridge Tourism Development Company," renovating the upper and lower passes, the Sky Lantern Pillar, the Scenic Overlook Pavilion, the Viewing Platform, and the Gallery of Colored Statues of Celebrities Who Climbed Mount Lu. Major attractions include the Upper Pass, the Lower Pass, the Sky Lantern Pillar, the Scenic Overlook Pavilion, the Guan Di Ancient Temple, the Gallery of Colored Statues of Celebrities Who Climbed Mount Lu, the Hidden Dragon in Bamboo, the Eagle Beak Rock, and the One-Line Sky Ancient Path.

Selected Attractions – Upper Pass: Approximately 100 meters south of the scenic area entrance, the Upper Pass features twin pavilions standing side by side, connected by a dry bridge. Beneath the bridge lies the ancient path connecting the lands of Wu and Chu, 3 meters wide, winding and perilous, said to be the place where Wu Zixu broke through the pass.

Lower Pass: About 1 kilometer south down the steps from the Upper Pass, a bamboo pavilion hangs above the path—this is the official pavilion, also called the Wife-Watching Pavilion. To the left is the attraction Hidden Dragon in Bamboo.

Sky Lantern Pillar: Located on the cliff to the right of the Lower Pass, it stands 10 meters tall. A sky lantern was lit here at night to guide travelers. To its right is the "Sky Lantern Stele Inscription."

Scenic Overlook Pavilion: Situated atop Little Incense Burner Peak, from which one can gaze far and wide, embracing the landscape. To the south of the pavilion are colored statues of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei forming their "Peach Garden Oath."

Guan Di Ancient Temple: Adjacent to the Upper Pass, originally built during the Spring and Autumn period, it was first known as the Heavenly King Temple, later as the Zixu Shrine. In ancient times, it symbolized a place for merchants and travelers passing through to pray for safety and prosperity. The current temple was rebuilt in the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929), enshrining statues of Lord Guan Di, Zhou Cang, and Guan Ping.

Gallery of Colored Statues of Celebrities Who Climbed Mount Lu: Located on the southern side of the scenic area, it features vivid colored statues of historical figures from the Shang and Zhou dynasties onward who have visited Mount Lu, such as Yu the Great, Tao Yuanming, Li Bai, Bai Juyi, Su Shi, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming.

Hidden Dragon in Bamboo: To the left of the Lower Pass, the dragon’s body is concealed within dense bamboo groves, while its head rises prominently beside the ancient post road.

Inscription: "Wu Chu Xiong Guan" (Mighty Pass of Wu and Chu): The four characters, each 60 centimeters in size, are carved opposite the Hidden Dragon in Bamboo attraction. The author and date of carving are unknown.

Source: Annals of Lushan District