Hometown of Emperor Ge Tian

Hometown of Emperor Ge Tian

The Hometown of Emperor Ge Tian is a cultural tourism attraction.

In the northwest corner of Changge City lies a small hill known as Zijingshan (Bauhinia and Wild Kudzu Mountain) due to the abundance of blooming Bauhinia flowers and wild kudzu vines. Since it is located west of Xingshan, it is commonly called West Mountain; and because of its round summit, with a “head” in the south and a

“tail” in the north, resembling a turtle’s back, and covered in red-and-yellow-tinged stones that shimmer gold in the sunlight, it is also known as Golden Turtle Mountain. At the foot of Zijingshan is the legendary birthplace of Emperor Ge Tian, an ancient ruler. On the cliffs within the large ravine to the east of Zijingshan lies Gemo Cave, which is also the burial site of Emperor Ge Tian and his mother, commonly referred to by locals as the Tomb of Emperor Ge Tian.

Legend has it that in ancient times, the Ge Tian clan lived here. After Emperor Ge Tian was born, he played on both the mountain and at its base. When he grew up, he led his people downstream along both sides of the Gethe River. Not far to the south, they discovered a natural hot spring, where they first established a residential area for bathing and recreation. This place is now Happiness Lake (formerly known as Warm Spring Lake) on the west side of Shuimo River.