Xianju Mountain

Xianju Mountain

Xianju Mountain Scenic Area, located in Xianju Township, Dongbao District, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, spans 50 square kilometers. The area is rich in tourism resources and steeped in cultural heritage. It features attractions known as the "Little Three Gorges" such as Xianju Lake Scenic Area, the Sigou Waterfall Cluster, Fanwangzhai Fort, Xianglong Cave, and Xianju Pagoda Forest, along with moving legends like the "Fairy Maiden Cave," "Mother and Son Cave," "Nezha Wreaking Havoc in the Sea," and "Sisters’ River." There are also historical relics from the Three Kingdoms period, such as the Xianju Horse-Catching Cave, Horseshoe Rock, and the ancient Lion’s Mouth Post Station, as well as red tourism sites including Jingmen’s first Soviet government, the Political Department of the Red Ninth Division, and Tianxingzhai. Additionally, the area is home to the ruins of Xianju Temple, which rivals the fame of Jingmen’s Dongshan Pagoda and Dangyang’s Yuquan Temple, alongside the thousand-year-old Xianju Old Street, ancient soapberry trees, and well-preserved historic structures like the 300-year-old Cai Family Memorial Archway and Qing Dynasty-era traditional houses.

Xianju Mountain Scenic Area is situated in Xianju Township, Dongbao District, Jingmen City, Hubei Province. Xianju Township is beautiful and mysterious. In ancient times, it was renowned for its lush green mountains, clear waters, and stunning scenery, believed to be a gathering place for immortals. It was said to be where celestial beings lived and dined, hence the name "Xianju" (Immortal Abode).

Xianju Mountain Scenic Area spans 50 square kilometers. The area is rich in tourism resources and steeped in cultural heritage. It features attractions known as the "Little Three Gorges" such as Xianju Lake Scenic Area, the Sigou Waterfall Cluster, Fanwangzhai Fort, Xianglong Cave, and Xianju Pagoda Forest, along with moving legends like the "Fairy Maiden Cave," "Mother and Son Cave," "Nezha Wreaking Havoc in the Sea," and "Sisters’ River." There are also historical relics from the Three Kingdoms period, such as the Xianju Horse-Catching Cave, Horseshoe Rock, and the ancient Lion’s Mouth Post Station, as well as red tourism sites including Jingmen’s first Soviet government, the Political Department of the Red Ninth Division, and Tianxingzhai. Additionally, the area is home to the ruins of Xianju Temple, which rivals the fame of Jingmen’s Dongshan Pagoda and Dangyang’s Yuquan Temple, alongside the thousand-year-old Xianju Old Street, ancient soapberry trees, and well-preserved historic structures like the 300-year-old Cai Family Memorial Archway and Qing Dynasty-era traditional houses.

Xianju Mountain Scenic Area is not only rich in cultural and natural attractions but also features a high concentration of these sites. Xianju Lake is an artificial lake divided into a South Lake and a North Lake. Xianju South Lake is located 2 kilometers south of Xianju Township and contains four islands, offering a landscape where mountains rise from the water and water mirrors the mountains. Xianju North Lake, situated 1.5 kilometers west of the township, is the largest manually constructed double-curved continuous arch dam lake in Hubei Province, consisting of seven arches and eight piers. The lake water is crystal clear, and it features a well-preserved "Carp Spirit" rock, two orange islets, the legendary "Fairy Maiden Cave" and "Mother and Son Cave."

The Horse-Catching Cave is located in Culian Village, 4 kilometers west of Xianju Township. It can be accessed by boat from Xianju North Lake and is a relic from the Three Kingdoms period. The Xianju Pagoda Forest is situated in Group 1 of Fawang Village by Xianju South Lake. Originally home to over 100 pagodas, some were destroyed during the construction of the South Lake Reservoir and the Xianju Pyrite Mine. Today, only three pagodas remain, built during the Qianlong and Daoguang reigns of the Qing Dynasty. These six-story pagodas, each about 7 meters tall, are constructed entirely from whole stone slabs. Fanwangzhai is located in Group 2 of Fawang Village, approximately 4 kilometers from Xianju Township.

The ruins of Xianju Temple are located in Group 2 of Fawang Village, about 6 kilometers southwest of the township. According to the "Jingmen Prefecture Records," the temple was originally built during the Sui Dynasty, just two years after Yuquan Temple in Dangyang. It was rebuilt in the spring of the first year of the Hongxi era of the Ming Dynasty. The temple was built against a mountain, with majestic architecture set against steep cliffs and layered peaks, and enjoyed thriving incense offerings. Later, it suffered damage from bombings by Japanese invaders and destruction during the Great Leap Forward’s steel production campaign. Today, only three stone Buddha statues remain. The Xianju Temple Gully Waterfall is located in Group 1 of Fawang Village, about 7 kilometers southwest of the township. This waterfall forms nine tiers along the mountain slope, stretching 2 kilometers in total.

The Cai Family Chastity Archway is located in the old Xianju Street. Carved from stone, this archway was built in November of the 12th year of the Qianlong reign. Despite centuries of weathering, it remains well-preserved, with vividly carved patterns on its plaque. It is now a provincial-level key cultural relic protection site.

To further promote tourism development, Xianju Township, with strong support from Jingmen City and Dongbao District, established a Rural Tourism Development Co., Ltd. This company is mainly responsible for tourism reception, organizing various events, and negotiating tourism development investments. It has signed contracts with ten travel agencies—including Haiyan, Zhongjia, and Youth Travel—for the launch of one-day Xianju tour routes, and has opened direct tourist bus services from Jingmen to the Sigou Waterfall. It is an ideal destination for leisure and adventure.

Source: Official Website of the People's Government of Hubei Province

Xianju Township: Located in Dongbao District, Jingmen City, Xianju Township is beautiful and mysterious. In ancient times, it was known for its lush green mountains, clear waters, and stunning scenery, believed to be a gathering place for immortals. It was said to be where celestial beings lived and dined, hence the name "Xianju" (Immortal Abode). Xianju is situated at the northernmost tip of Jingmen City, bordering counties (cities) such as Zhongxiang, Yicheng, and Nanzhang, and is known as the "Northern Gateway to Jingmen." The township currently administers 27 villages and one neighborhood committee, with a total population of 28,000 and a land area of 238 square kilometers, including 11,867 hectares of forested land.

Xianju is rich in resources. The township has confirmed limestone reserves of 200 million tons and silica reserves of 50 million tons... More detailed information on Xianju Township++