Lishi Village

Lishi Village

Lishi Village is located on Chishan Island, more than ten kilometers west of Yuanjiang City. Chishan Island lies between South Dongting Lake and West Dongting Lake, and is the largest island in Dongting Lake, stretching 30 kilometers in length, 4 kilometers in width, and encompassing a perimeter of 75 kilometers. Surrounded by water on all sides, the island features undulating mountains, towering ancient trees, and lush forests and rare flowers everywhere. It resembles a huge emerald gem embedded in the vast bosom of Dongting Lake.

Fan Li, a native of Wan (present-day Nanyang, Henan) in the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period, once assisted King Goujian of Yue in defeating the State of Wu. After the victory, he retired in glory and settled on Chishan Island with the beauty Xi Shi. The tombs of Fan Li and Xi Shi are preserved to this day. Geographic sites related to them include Ligong Lake, Xianglu Mountain, Lishi Village, and Lishan Temple. These places are renowned for their beautiful landscapes and historical relics, attracting visitors from all over.

Lishi Village. “An island within a lake, and a lake within an island” is one of the magical features of Lishi Village. Ligong Lake, Zhougong Lake, and Wucha Lake are inland lakes on Chishan Island, where Fan Li and Xi Shi often went for leisure. Among the three lakes, the most picturesque is Ligong Lake, embraced by green mountains and shimmering with clear waves. In the high-water season, the sparkling water reflects the verdant mountains and rural cottages, making them appear even more vibrant.

Longhu Mountain consists of two peaks connected together, with rolling ridges that truly resemble a coiling dragon and crouching tiger. The mountain is covered with dense ancient trees that block out the sun and shelter against wind and rain. On either side of the “dragon’s head” are two Dragon Eye Wells, which have provided clear, sweet, and fragrant water for thousands of years. It is said that drinking the water from the Dragon Wells can ward off disasters, cure illnesses, enhance beauty, and prolong life. At the “heart” of the dragon lies Yunfeng Temple, the site of the former Fan Li Temple. The solemn yet gentle sound of the temple bells tells visitors a beautiful legend. During the Spring and Autumn Period, Fan Li, a minister of the State of Yue, helped King Goujian defeat King Fuchai of Wu. After achieving success, he retired and sailed the Five Lakes with Xi Shi. He was captivated by the scenery of Chishan Island and chose to settle here, leaving behind many touching stories. After Fan Li and Xi Shi passed away, people built the Fan Li Temple and Xi Shi’s Tomb in their memory, and named Chishan Island “Lishan” (Lover’s Mountain).

Nearly every plant and tree in Lishi Village is a precious part of the natural vegetation, but among them, three unique camphor trees are especially breathtaking. One is a 200-year-old divine camphor tree growing next to Yunfeng Temple on Longhu Mountain. Its tall and proud trunk seems to reach the heavens, exuding righteousness and fragrance throughout all four seasons. It is said that since this divine camphor tree matured, the area has enjoyed abundant harvests and thriving livestock. Another is the Nine-Armed Camphor Tree, which is already 1,000 years old and still lush and vigorous. Its trunk, which requires six children holding hands to encircle, is only its slender waist. Nine branches stretch straight toward the sky like a group of beauties throwing their dance sleeves into the blue sky. The fluttering sleeves form a giant natural canopy, offering warmth all year round. The third is the Camphor-Holding-Laurel Tree, a remarkable wonder of plant growth. With a history of over 2,100 years, its fossil-like roots twist out from Chishan Island, and its tall trunk stands firmly with a laurel tree growing from its chest, as if the strong and mighty Camphor Brother is tightly embracing the noble and pure Laurel Sister. When the laurel blooms, its clusters display their beauty and fragrance enchantingly. The evergreen life and eternal love of the Camphor-Holding-Laurel mirror its essence—vibrantly green throughout, growing stronger with age, making the legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai seem somewhat less impressive.

On July 1, 2001, under the sacred Camphor-Holding-Laurel Tree, the earliest known stone tools used by ancestors of Dongting Lake—the flake hand axes—were discovered for the first time. This groundbreaking discovery pushed the history of human activity around Dongting Lake from 7,000 years ago back to 100,000 years ago. This epoch-making find adds an even more mysterious aura to the ancient Camphor-Holding-Laurel Tree. As the couplet at the entrance of this scenic spot reads: “A 2,000-year-old camphor tree welcomes guests; 100,000-year-old ancestors offer treasures.” It transports visitors into a fairytale-like world.

“The world’s tallest woman,” Zeng Jinlian, was a villager of Lishi Village.

Lishi Village boasts spectacular fishing village opening ceremonies, distinctive food, clothing, housing, and transportation customs, diverse childbirth traditions, festive and auspicious New Year customs (such as “Opening the Wealth Gate,” “March 3rd,” “Dragon Boat Festival,” “Ghost Festival,” etc.), and local folk art rich in rural charm...

Recommended tour route: Urban area → Longhu Mountain Lishan Temple → Golden Rooster Ridge Viewing Platform → Liu Family Ancestral Hall → Qinglong Mountain → Ancient Camphor-Holding-Laurel Tree and prehistoric stone tool excavation site → Giantess Memorial Hall → Anzi Ridge (Da’an Temple) → Provincial No.1 Prison → Return to urban area