Hufountain

Hufountain

Hufountain is located about 1 kilometer south of Hongfan Pool, nestled in a mountain hollow on the northern side of Yun Cui Mountain. It got its name because to the north of the spring lies the site of the ancient capital of the State of Hu. The spring originates from a natural cave, approximately one meter in diameter, situated on the rocky wall of the mountain hollow. Hufountain has an abundant water supply, capable of irrigating thousands of acres of fertile farmland around it.

"Hufountain Spouting Snow" is one of its most spectacular sights. A massive rock blocks the cave’s exit, causing the surging waters inside to shoot upward in a spectacular upward eruption. The water crashes against the rocks, sending up waves and spraying droplets like flying snow, with the thunderous roar echoing for miles. The forceful flow spills over the rocks in a waterfall-like cascade, resembling a rainbow arching through the air before plummeting into the valley. This breathtaking spectacle has drawn countless poets and scholars throughout history to admire and compose verses about it. On the cliff face to the south of the spring, four large characters—“Hufountain Surges Azure”—are engraved. They were written by Meng Yimai, a successful candidate in the imperial examinations during the Ming Dynasty. According to the old County Annals, there is a poem titled “Flying Spring Spouting Snow”: “A flying spring gushes forth from the cliff’s face, / Cascading downward like a suspended waterfall. / Striking the rocks and spraying like snow, / It surpasses even jade shattered and pearls round.”

About 100 meters below Hufountain lies a square spring pool with sides measuring 7 meters, its waters as dark as ink—it is called Ink Pool. This spring exhibits tidal-like changes that correspond to the time of day and the phases of the moon, presenting the curious phenomenon of “three high tides in a single day.”

Hufountain holds a mysterious allure in the hearts of local people. It is said that the spring is very spiritual—those with ill intentions who come here will fall ill upon returning, while those with kind hearts will enjoy good health and success in all things. Legend has it that in ancient times, a kind-hearted merchant traveling to Dongyu Village encountered a young woman who was cold and starving. The merchant rescued her and, upon parting, gave her a silver ingot. The woman said, “My surname is Hu, and I’m from Dongyu. Could you please send my regards to my family?” The merchant agreed. She also told him that when dining at her home, he should only eat dumplings and nothing else. After finishing his errands, the merchant asked around, but villagers said the Hu family had died out long ago. “There’s a spring on West Hill called Hufountain—maybe that’s where she’s from,” they suggested. The merchant went to the spring, drank some of its water, and unknowingly fell asleep. In a dream, he heard an old man say, “Why are you sleeping outside? Come inside and warm up.” Upon asking, the merchant realized it was the young woman’s home. He followed the old man into a grand and imposing mansion, where he delivered the young woman’s message. The old man invited him to dine. Remembering the woman’s words, the merchant ate only dumplings. After the meal, as he was leaving, the magnificent residence suddenly vanished. Startled, the merchant woke up to find himself still lying by the spring. Suddenly feeling intensely bloated, he coughed and spat out a silver ingot. Since he had eaten thirty dumplings, he ended up spitting out thirty silver ingots. To this day, everyone who comes to see Hufountain stands by the spring and silently offers a prayer, hoping for blessings and protection from misfortune.