Dayou Mountain

Dayou Mountain

Dayou Mountain is located on the southern bank of the Yuan River in the ancient city of Chenyang, to the southwest and aligned with the yin direction—hence its name. The mountain is covered with lush green pines and surrounded by undulating peaks, which is why it is also known as Jiufeng Ridge. Its main peak resembles a bell, while its branch peak, Dan Mountain, resembles a drum, earning it another name: Zhonggu Mountain (Bell and Drum Mountain). Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty performed Fengshan rituals here. Dayou Mountain boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, with numerous ancient relics and sites.

1. Tomb of King Mu of Zhou: Volume 81 of the "Huguang General Gazetteer" in the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries states: “The tomb of King Mu of Zhou is located on Zhonggu Mountain in Chenxi County.” A local saying in Chenxi County goes, “Above lies the emperor’s tomb, below lies the general’s grave,” referring to the emperor’s tomb as that of King Mu of Zhou.

2. Tomb and Shrine of Shen Juan: During the era of Yao and Shun, when Emperor Yao toured the south, he visited Shen Juan and wished to abdicate the throne to him. Shen Juan declined and later traveled up the Yuan River to live in seclusion on Dayou Mountain in Chenyang until his death, where he was buried. The Chenxi County Annals (Daoguang Edition) record: “The tomb of Shen Juan is on Dayou Mountain. During the Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty, logging was prohibited by imperial decree.” The county annals from the Kangxi edition, under “Historical Sites,” state: “The tomb of Shen Juan is on Dayou Mountain. Logging was forbidden during the Xiangfu era, and it is said that someone once attempted to rob the tomb. The coffin was protected by an iron sheet a foot thick, and suddenly thunder and rain ensued, deterring anyone from attempting further desecration.” Ouyang Zhi, a deputy prefect of Chenzhou Prefecture during the Ming Dynasty, reported Shen Juan’s deeds to the imperial court, and the emperor bestowed the title “Exemplary Gentleman.” A shrine was built in his honor.

3. Dayou Book Cave: Also known as Huamiao Dongtian, it is ranked as the 26th of the Thirty-Six Minor Grotto-Heavens among Taoism’s Ten Great Grotto-Heavens. It is both a sacred Taoist site and the origin of the legendary Chinese saying “Erudite as five chariots of books, learned as the Two You (Dayou and Xiaoyou),” referring to immense knowledge.

4. Dan Mountain Temple: Originally built in the 21st year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1683). “Evening Bell at Cliffside Temple” was one of the Eight Ancient Scenic Spots. The most unique feature of Dan Mountain Temple is its original main gate—a naturally formed, downward-sloping crevice just wide enough for one person to pass through. This crevice is a natural formation, so narrow that it could be easily defended. At the bottom of the crevice is a brick gate wall, with the lintel inlaid with broken porcelain pieces forming four clerical script characters: “Qu Path Tong You” (A Winding Path Leads to Seclusion). The door couplet reads: “The way out is the same as the way in; advancing may not be as lofty as retreating.” The ancient temple was demolished in 1965 and rebuilt in 1990.

5. Dayou Taoist Temple: Built in the late Tang Dynasty, this two-story brick-and-wood structure was named after the mountain. Dayou Temple is a renowned Taoist temple in western Hunan. In the past, Taoist events such as jiao rituals held in nearby counties required obtaining an imperial decree (known as Huang Biao) from this temple to gain approval from the Jade Emperor.

6. Dan Mountain Cliff Inscriptions: Located on the riverside cliffs of Dan Mountain on Dayou Mountain. Existing inscriptions include poems by Wang Yangming, Hu Song, Xu Ting, Tao Qin Gui, Zeng Caihan, and Zheng Zhu. The most recent inscription is by Tian Zhenfan, a lieutenant general of the Republic of China and commander of the 9th Security Zone in Hunan, who carved “Wuxi Suoyao” (Key to the Five Streams) in May of the 10th year of the Republic of China. The Dan Mountain Cliff Inscriptions were designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province in 2012.

7. Martyrs’ Cemetery for Anti-Japanese Soldiers: Chinese forces, including troops from the Nationalist Third War Zone (commanded by Tang Enbo) and the Fourth War Zone (commanded by Wang Yaowu), built an impenetrable defense in the Snow Mountain region to repel Japanese invaders. After over two months of bloody battle, the Chinese military and civilians achieved a decisive victory in the Battle of Western Hunan. Over 150 severely wounded soldiers who died despite treatment at the No. 95 Field Hospital of the Nationalist Army, located in Zaomulin opposite Tanwan Town, were laid to rest in the martyrs’ cemetery on Dayou Mountain.