Jiujiang Shoe Mountain

Jiujiang Shoe Mountain

Dagu Mountain is uneven in height, with one end higher than the other, and from afar resembles a giant shoe floating on the blue waves, hence it is also called "Shoe Mountain." It rises about 70 meters above the lake surface, with a circumference of over a hundred meters. A single peak stands tall, steep and graceful, and was referred to as the "Penglai Fairy Island" in ancient times. The mountain is adorned with upright pines and lush green trees, and is dotted with a beautiful ancient structure — the Tianhua Palace. The palace buildings are majestic, the statues splendid, and the daily sounds of morning bells, evening drums, and Buddhist chants create an ethereal atmosphere. From the mountaintop, one can gaze over the vast Poyang Lake, its misty waters, and the beautiful scenery of Mount Lu to the west. A Ming Dynasty poet, De, once wrote in praise: "Who carved the green lotus? Alone it stands in Peng Lake. It divides the clouds of the Five Elders, drawing water from distant Jiujiang. Sun and moon are swallowed and spewed, while mist and rosy clouds flow back and forth. Its mighty presence holds back the raging waves, connecting heaven and earth through eternity."

Regarding the lake island Shoe Mountain, there is also a local myth that has been passed down. It is said that in ancient times, there was a fisherman named Hu Qing who encountered a heavenly jade maiden named Daggu while fishing on the lake. The two fell in love and got married. When the local fishing tyrant Sheng Tai learned of this, he tried to seize Daggu. Upon hearing of this, the Jade Emperor sent celestial soldiers to take Daggu away, and Sheng Tai took the opportunity to capture Hu Qing. Daggu then dropped an embroidered shoe from the heavens, which crushed Sheng Tai and his gang, and this embroidered shoe turned into Shoe Mountain. Shoe Mountain is also known as Daggu Mountain, a name likely derived from this story.

To the southwest of Shoe Mountain, there is a spur of land extending into the lake. At the tip of this spur lies an isolated rock mound that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom, standing about 16 meters high with a base diameter of 11–12 meters. It resembles a large frog with its mouth facing Poyang Lake and its back against Mount Lu, squatting noisily on the lakeshore. Like Shoe Mountain, it is a remnant of the lake’s waves that “failed to fully swallow” it. The side facing the lake is battered by the waves, causing the lower part to gradually recede inward, while the upper part appears protruding and suspended over the water. From a distance, it vividly looks like a frog braving the waves and ready to leap toward Shoe Mountain across the lake — truly lifelike.

Location of the Scenic Spot

In Poyang Lake, nine kilometers south of Shizhong Mountain