Maqi Mountain

Maqi Mountain

Maqi Mountain is located 35 kilometers southeast of Jucity and serves as the boundary mountain with Junan County. With an elevation of 662.2 meters and covering an area of 25 square kilometers, the Revised Annals of Ju states: “Maqi Mountain lies 60 li south of the state, named for its resemblance in shape.” Maqi Mountain boasts a majestic presence, with the Xun River winding around it and three sides facing water. The northern and eastern faces feature cliffs as sheer as if cut by a knife, with steep valleys and gullies. Only the southern foothills have a narrow winding path leading to the middle peak. In recent years, a perilous 300-meter trail has been opened near Tiantong Gully on the mountain’s shaded side, allowing access to the summit. The mountain features over ten unique peaks and numerous scenic spots.

[Maqi Peak]

Located in the northeast of Maqi Mountain, it resembles a galloping horse heading eastward, with its ears, eyes, mouth, and nose so vividly sculpted they appear lifelike. Below it lies a hundred-zhang-deep gorge, locally called “Eagle-Worry Gully,” which remains untraversed by humans to this day.

[Pillar Reaching the Sky]

Situated slightly west on the shaded side of the mountain, it consists of a cluster of distinctly layered stone slabs forming a cubic pillar. The pillar rises abruptly from the ground, piercing the clouds—an awe-inspiring sight.

[Lion Peak]

On the steep cliffs rising from the middle of Maqi Mountain, there is a massive peculiar rock resembling a coiled male lion lying on its side, its neck curved southward. It is also a treacherous spot that is difficult to climb.

[One-Line Sky]

On the southeastern foothills of Maqi Mountain, south of Eagle-Worry Gully, atop a steep slope, there are three or four huge rocks. One of them is split into three lobes, extending in “个”-shaped directions—east, south, and west. The crevice is nearly one meter wide, with space at the bottom to accommodate dozens of people. Looking upward from the bottom, only a sliver of blue sky is visible, hence the name “One-Line Sky.”

[Fairy Bathing Pool]

To the west of One-Line Sky, there is a massive rock about 20 cubic meters in volume, with a pair of rock hollows on top resembling nestled basins—like bathtubs—filled with clear water. One must use a hanging rope to climb up for a closer look, making it a remarkable spectacle.

[Mountain Fortress]

The fortress on Maqi Mountain starts from the mountaintop and winds down along the banks of the Xun River to the plains, covering an area of approximately 20–30 square kilometers. There are two layers of ruins: the outer city on the western slope of the mountain, built from rammed yellow clay, with the highest remaining wall sections being 4–5 meters tall and 8–9 meters wide. At the gaps where two peaks meet, clear remnants of stone walls can be seen.

[General-Beheading Platform]

On the eastern bank of the Xun River on the western slope of Maqi Mountain, there is a cliff inscription that reads: “Place where General Wang Xian was executed.” Below it lies a huge rock, which is the Beheading Platform. According to the History of Song · Biography of Li Quan: “Li Quan commanded hundreds of thousands of troops, known as the Hebei Volunteer Army, and repeatedly defeated Jin forces. Prime Minister Shi Miyuan appointed Zhao Guo as the supervisor of the volunteer army. When Zhao arrived at the mountain, Li Quan had not yet returned from his southern campaign. Yang Siniang led the troops to welcome him outside the city. Zhao Guo entered the guesthouse arrogantly and disrespectfully. Yang Siniang crawled in on her knees to pay her respects, which pleased Zhao Guo. Li Quan’s general Wang Xian, furious, killed Zhao Guo. Li Quan asked for punishment, but Shi Miyuan ignored the matter. When Li Quan returned, he personally executed Wang Xian.” According to local legend,

after Li Quan wrongly killed Wang Xian, it led to rebellion and betrayal among his followers, resulting in the loss of Maqi Mountain.

[Lamp Bowl Rock]

On the western foothills of Maqi Mountain, tens of meters east of the Beheading Platform, atop the cliffs, there is a rock basin carved by hand, shaped like an ancient oil lamp, about the size of a printing block. Sheltered from wind on the south, north, and east sides, it is said to have been placed by Wang Xian’s friends while keeping vigil after his death.

[Star-Gazing Platform]

About a hundred meters north of Nanshankou, there is a towering rock piercing the sky, called the “Star-Gazing Platform.” Legend says that Wang Min, the military advisor of the Red Tunic Army, would climb this platform at night to observe celestial phenomena.

[Sea-View Tower]

The Sea-View Tower is located in the central-northeast part of the mountain, the highest point on the entire mountain (elevation 662.2 meters). Ascending to the summit, there are several acres of flat land. Looking southeast,

you can see the vast sea hundreds of li away. Legend says the Red Tunic Army once built a watchtower here.

[Red Tunic Army Camp Ruins]

About 500 meters west of the Sea-View Tower, there are two sets of ruined house foundations, dozens of house bases, as well as items such as mills, grinding stones, mortars, horse troughs, and stone

thunderstones.

The remnants of the southern gate of the mountain stronghold stand nearly 2 meters high, with the gate pivot stones still in place. Most of the winding stone steps leading up the mountain from the gate remain intact, built along the contours of the mountain or carved directly into it, stretching for about 3 li.

【Fairy Cave】

On the cliff of Shanyang, the cave entrance faces south and can only be entered by rope. The cave can accommodate over ten people. Legend has it that Wang Min, the military advisor of the Red Coat Army, once lived here. As Wang Min was known for his uncanny foresight in military affairs, he was called a “living immortal” at the time, hence the dwelling place came to be known as “Fairy Cave.”

【Cave 0】

Located slightly southwest of the ruins of the Red Coat Army’s main camp. The cave ceiling is a giant turtle-shaped boulder, seemingly artificially built. The entrance faces south, with the inscription “Righteous Qi Soars” above the doorway. The interior covers an area of 15 square meters and is 1.5 meters high. Several lines of inscriptions are carved on the outer rock wall, some of which are still legible. Legend says that the Red Coat Army once enshrined the deity of Mount Tai, known as 0, here.

【Longevity Star Cave】

About a hundred meters northeast of Wanghai Tower, the cave entrance faces north. The interior area is 6 square meters and 2 meters high. Legend has it that Li Quan once enshrined the Southern Pole Immortal here.

【Nameless Cave】

Located in the southern part of the mountain, the entrance faces south. The cave can hold over a hundred people.

【Dragon and Phoenix Cliff Carvings】

According to *Revised Chronicles of Ju · Inscriptions*: “In the Year of the Rooster, the (Dragon) Phoenix Year, Commander Chen of Chicken Mountain set up camp at the foot of this mountain.” These carvings are found on the cliff face of Maqi Mountain. “Dragon and Phoenix” refers to the reign title of Han Lin'er, and “Year of the Rooster” denotes the seventh year of Dragon and Phoenix (1361 AD, the 21st year of Zhiyuan during the Yuan Dynasty), marking a relic left by the Red Turban Army.

【Yang Guangfu’s Study Site】

Historical records state: “Yang Guangfu, a Confucian scholar from Anqiu, resided on Maqi Mountain, where many scholars studied under him…” His former site is located at the southern mountain pass, commonly known as Yangguang Gorge, with remnants still visible.