Scenery of Jiuding Phoenix Mountain

Scenery of Jiuding Phoenix Mountain

Scenery of Jiuding Phoenix Mountain Phoenix Mountain stretches for miles with undulating ridges. It features three peaks of varying heights, interspersed with jagged boulders that resemble a giant roc spreading its wings, overlooking the fertile plains of the ancient Nanchang City. Located at the northern border of Nanchang Township, it was historically known as Chaoyang Mountain. The Qing Dynasty’s Yixian County Annals recorded: “Chaoyang Mountain lies about a li south of Jiaoshan. On both its eastern and western banks, large rocks rise unevenly, facing each other like clasped hands, while the eastern slope is bordered by Longtou Pond, whose winding waters flow southward. A massive cliff lies midstream, with fierce springs leaping across, spraying beads and snow-like foam, the sound echoing beyond the water. Nearby, there are flat rocks where dozens can sit. Visitors often compose poetry here, likening it to Liu Zongyuan’s famed stone pond, hence naming it ‘Stone Pond.’” Today, Stone Pond no longer exists. South of Chaoyang Mountain lies Nainai Mountain, also called Tianmu Fort Mountain. On the sunny side of Nainai Mountain is Yuhua Spring, and on its western slope is Liangquan Spring. The two springs converge, flow through Nanchang, pass Yangzhuang, and enter the Grand Canal. The area currently features 680 acres of forested greenery. The back slope is home to the largest, oldest, and densest stand of Chinese hackberry trees in Xuecheng District, locally referred to as pine woods. Walking into the forest, you’re greeted by rustling pines and near-total shade. The eastern slope contains Xuecheng’s best-preserved torchwood grove, which bursts into crimson bloom during the Double Ninth Festival. The southern sunny slope preserves the region’s largest apricot woodland, where fragrant blossoms line the streams and red apricots peek over walls in early spring. Additionally, the area hosts dozens of forest species such as black pine, locust, goldenberry, dianthus, and cattail. After rain, the forest floor teems with mushrooms, and lucky visitors might even find a few ganoderma mushrooms. Wildlife is common here—walk quietly and you might startle a rabbit or pheasants that dart away in a flash. Around Jiuding Phoenix Mountain lies the widest and most intact mountain-loop road in Shandong’s hilly region. Some sections, once cleared, allow two-way traffic. Two Bell Reservoirs lie in front of the mountain, while three medium-to-large reservoirs lie behind it to the east, west, and north. Their crystal-clear waters reveal every fish and pebble, and in misty mornings, the blue water seems to merge with the sky—perfect for fishing and leisure. On clear nights when the moon and stars shine bright, ascend Phoenix Peak to recite, “If only the lakes’ bright moons could be had” and “No need to fret where to cast the golden hook.” To the north of Jiuding Phoenix Mountain, a clear spring winds westward—an ancient stream recorded in historical texts as a river believed to ward off disasters and evil, known as Zhangshui. On the southern bank of Zhangshui stands a massive, prominent tomb of unknown origin, along with an ancient cypress tree whose age is equally mysterious. It is said to be the grave of an ancient general.

Nanchang Ancient City is situated on the plains to the south of Phoenix Mountain. The city measures approximately 550 meters from east to west and 440 meters from north to south, roughly rectangular in shape. At the northeast corner, a protrusion extends about 100 meters northward from the eastern wall base, commonly referred to as the “North Gate” or “Wengshang.” The surrounding area is rich in ancient tombs, with stone carvings frequently unearthed. Artifacts discovered include a two-thousand-year-old, rust-free Han Dynasty iron ring-handled knife, Han Dynasty stone sheep, and numerous pottery pieces. The Book of Songs · Odes of Lu states: “Dwelling in Chang and Xu.” The Eastern Han classicist Zheng Xuan commented: “Chang, also called Chang, is located south of Xue.” According to the Historical Atlas of China, the location of “Chang” during the Spring and Autumn Period corresponds to the area near present-day Nanchang Ancient City.