Tianwen Ruins

Tianwen Ruins

The Tianwen Ruins is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Tianwen Platform is located on Phoenix Mountain in Taojiang County, at the confluence of the Taohuajiang River and the Zi River. Standing alone atop the mountain and embraced by two rivers, it boasts majestic terrain and ancient trees towering overhead, forming a spectacular natural landscape. Legend has it that Qu Yuan, the great patriotic poet and Left Minister of the State of Chu, was exiled here in anguish and fury after falling out of favor with King Huai of Chu and King Qingxiang of Chu. It is said that Qu Yuan wrote the "Tianwen" (Heavenly Questions) here on Phoenix Mountain, hence the name “Tianwen Platform.”

Today, several historical sites related to Qu Yuan remain on Phoenix Mountain. During his time in exile, Qu Yuan is believed to have posed over 170 questions to heaven as an expression of his innermost thoughts, and penned the world’s longest poetic Q&A masterpiece, "Tianwen." In later years, a beautifully carved and painted Tianwen Pavilion was built on the mountain but was later destroyed by fire, leaving only a stone tablet inscribed with “Ruins of the Ancient Tianwen Pavilion.” The words “Tianwen Platform” are now inscribed on the cliffs of Phoenix Mountain.

At the foot of the Tianwen Platform along the Zi River bank, there lies a bird-shaped boulder jutting into the river. Leaning against the cliffs above and overlooking the deep pool below, the rock is said to be where the exiled Qu Yuan often came to fish, using the pastime to soothe his sorrows—hence the name “Qu Yuan’s Fishing Platform.” It is also referred to as the “Tianwen Rock,” as legend says the patriotic Qu Yuan would often stand atop this stone, lamenting to the heavens and venting his anger and frustration toward the Chu court.

Halfway up the hillside along the fishing platform stands an elevated terrace, on which sits an ancient tower called the Yuelong Tower (Leap Dragon Tower). Built in the 14th year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1834 AD), the tower is 22 meters high, seven stories with eight sides, hollow inside and solid outside, entirely constructed from granite, with inscribed stone tablets on the ground floor. From the tower, one can admire the Zi River flowing in from the west, embracing the Taohuajiang River as they surge eastward together. When the evening sun casts its glow, the sky fills with rosy clouds, and the shimmering water reflects the light in a dazzling display. The tower was built by local people in commemoration of Qu Yuan and also symbolizes the aspiration for literary prosperity. Legend has it that after the tower’s construction, Taojiang produced three successful imperial examination candidates in a single examination session during the Qing Dynasty. Since then, the area has enjoyed a flourishing literary culture and has been honored as the “Hometown of Culture.”