Gucheng River

Gucheng River

The Gucheng River is located in the eastern part of Ningyang County, west of Beibi River, running through Dongzhuang Town and Huafeng Town. It originates from the northwest foothills of Fengxian Mountain, flowing northward past the west of Zhujiawa and the west of Beichen Village, then turning northeast near the northwest of Beichen Village. After passing the west of Xicuijiazhuang, it turns west at the south of Dongzhuang, where a tributary joins it west of Nangucheng. After merging, it crosses the Cilai Railway Bridge and Mengguan Highway Bridge, passes the east of Xigucheng and the west of Begucheng, flows northwest, and joins the Chaixin River north of Xiaoxihe. The river basin covers an area of 74 square kilometers, with a length of 17 kilometers and a riverbed about 60 meters wide. Seven small reservoirs and 15 ponds have been built in the upper reaches. It is named “Gucheng River” because it flows through three villages called “Gucheng.”

The Zuo Zhuan states: “The Qi army besieged the city, and the Cheng people attacked the Qi army, watering their horses at Zi.” The Commentary on the Water Classic says: “The Zi River originates north of Cheng County, then flows west past Yangguan City, and westward into the Wen River.” According to the Ningyang County Annals · Mountains and Rivers · Zi River: “Today, about a li north of Gucheng Village, there is a small lake, over ten mu in size, locally called Zi Lake. Its water originates from the northern side of Fengxian Mountain, flows north past the southern side of Lingshan Mountain, where there is a stone bridge, then continues north past the eastern side of Boshishan Mountain, where there is a delicate rock. The water goes underground for about three li, then emerges among the rocks south of Gucheng Village, flowing north to the north of Gucheng Village. There are dozens of springs, large and small, warm in winter and cool in summer, never drying up even in drought, converging into Zi Lake. There is a Horse-Watering Spring, the place where the Qi army watered their horses. Then it flows north for another two li, passing Nanliangfu Village into the Wen River. This is likely a remnant branch of the Zi River.” This clearly indicates that the water source of Zi Lake is the Zi River. The origin and course of the Zi River, in terms of location, fully match those of today’s Gucheng River. From this, it is inferred that the present-day “Gucheng River” is the ancient Zi River.

The source of the Gucheng River is the mountain water from Fengxian Mountain. In the upper reaches, the high mountains and rapid water flow create a large drop, with the water following the mountain terrain to form a series of waterfalls. On the cliffs, the stream hits the rocks, splashing water droplets and making a clear sound. Though it lacks the grandeur of “waterfalls plunging straight down three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way had fallen from the ninth heaven,” the waterfalls are staggered and layered, creating a beautiful unevenness—a kind of wild charm that offers aesthetic pleasure.

Shangdou Gully Village is a pearl in the upper reaches of the Gucheng River. Also called Lianjialing, Shangdou Gully Village becomes a sight to behold in autumn, with trees laden with fruit. Fiery red pomegranates hang on the branches like little lanterns, a dazzling sight.

As the Gucheng River flows to Hucun, it forms an inseparable bond with Buddhism. To the west of Hucun lies the renowned Buddhist mountain—Lingshan. Lingshan features famous scenic spots such as the “Golden Lion Bridge,” the “Eight-Treasure Glazed Well,” the “Stone Tiger Guarding the Mountain Gate,” the “Exquisite Jade Pool,” the “Ancient Pagoda of Lingfeng,” and the “Sunset Glow of Lingshan.”

The Gucheng River, originating from Fengxian Mountain, flows joyfully into the Chaixin River, a tributary of the Dawen River. Passing through sacred Buddhist sites, the ruins of the ancient Chengcheng City from the Spring and Autumn period, and Liangfu Mountain where Emperor Qin Shi Huang performed rituals, the Gucheng River is truly a cultural river.