King Wu’s Summer Palace

King Wu’s Summer Palace

King Wu’s Summer Palace is located on the towering Xishan Mountain, which rises abruptly by the river and lake in Ezhou City. During the Three Kingdoms period, after King Wu Sun Quan established his capital in Ezhou, Xishan became his site for military training, cultural pursuits, leisure, and summer hunting. The mountain features winding ridges, seven peaks standing side by side, lush forests, scattered pavilions, cascading springs, and a cool climate. In the year 229 AD, Sun Quan held a heaven-worshipping ceremony at the second highest peak of Xishan and proclaimed himself emperor. Since then, this area has preserved relics from the Three Kingdoms era, including King Wu’s Summer Palace, the Study Hall, the Suburban Altar, and the Grand Banquet Tower. Passing through the main hall of Xishan Temple and turning right, you’ll see a moon gate inscribed with the words “Heroes’ Summer Retreat” on the front and “Cool Blessed Land” on the back. It is said that this was the summer retreat palace of King Wu Sun Quan. At the center of the Summer Palace stands a statue of Sun Quan, with a broad forehead, wide mouth, and spirited eyes, as if he were intently reading military strategy. Just over 10 meters outside Xishan Temple lies the Grand Banquet Tower, believed to be where Sun Quan hosted banquets and outings. Visitors can enjoy spring tea, Dongpo cakes, and Wuchang fish here. Further ahead is the Nine-Turn Pavilion. Su Shi wrote in “Fan Shan Steps”: “The enthronement altar at the mountaintop, the Nine-Turn Pavilion—both are relics of the Sun family.” The existing walls of the pavilion still bear Su Shi’s “Poem on Xishan” and Su Zhe’s “Record of the Nine-Turn Pavilion.” From there, heading north will take you to the summit of Xishan’s Sword Stone Peak. On the platform here stand one upright and one reclining massive rock, seemingly split by a sharp sword—it is said to be the “King Wu Sword-Testing Stone.” Not far from the Sword-Testing Stone is another large rock split into four pieces, with faint knife marks on its surface, believed to be the “Sword-Dueling Stone” where Sun Quan and Liu Bei tested their blades. To the upper left of this stone stands the Wangchu Pavilion. From its railing, you can gaze out at the Wuwang Sanhua Beach, where Sun Quan welcomed victorious soldiers returning from battle, the Phoenix Terrace where Sun Quan and Lu Su discussed plans for establishing the capital, the site where Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor and held a heaven-worshipping ceremony, and the serene and elegant Wuwang Fishing Terrace. These renowned historical sites from the Three Kingdoms era are truly captivating.