Shenfu Rock

Shenfu Rock

Shenfu Rock

Shenfu Rock is a distinctive natural landscape within Gaoyao. Historical records state that the scenic highlights of Gaoyao “are led by Dinghu, followed by Seven Star Crags, and then Shenfu Rock among others.” Due to administrative boundary changes, Dinghu and Seven Star Crags have been incorporated into the Duanzhou and Dinghu districts of Zhaoqing City, leaving only Shenfu Rock under the jurisdiction of Gaoyao. Shenfu Rock is located…

Shenfu Rock is situated on Shenfu Mountain, north of Litchi Village in Liantang Town. It lies seven kilometers from the city center and just three kilometers from Guangdong Film City, with convenient access via the broad Liantang–Jiangkou Highway. The mountain’s shape resembles a fluttering flag, leading locals to call it Flag Mountain. Additionally, due to its steep front slope and a gently rising rear slope that folds downward into a triangular form, it closely resembles an ancient “divine talisman,” hence also being named Shenfu (Divine Talisman) Mountain.

The geological structure of Shenfu Mountain is unique, with limestone and breccia forming the upper part and soil making up the lower section—often referred to as a “soil mountain carrying stone.” Upon closer inspection, however, weathered soil covers the rock surface, making it more accurately a “stone mountain covered with soil.” The mountain is lush with dense, thriving forests; the foothills feature expansive orchards and flowing streams; and in front lies a hundreds-of-acres-large aquaculture base, calm as a mirror. The interplay of mountains and water enhances the captivating beauty of Shenfu Rock.

Shenfu Rock is divided into the Big Cave, Second Cave, and Third Cave. The Big Cave (main cave) is located on the slightly flat mountainside of the northwest face of Shenfu Mountain. There, nestled within the mountainside, is the ancient cave temple known as Dongtian Guan (also called Chunyang Guan), which enshrines the statue of Lü Dongbin—one of the Eight Immortals. A small path leads directly from the foot of the mountain to the cave entrance. Shenfu Rock presents a myriad of fascinating and spectacular sights. To the right outside the cave entrance stands a protruding rock resembling a “rhinoceros” crouching and looking back, facing the sky—an attraction known as “The Rhinoceros Watching the Moon.” On the upper right side of the cave entrance, there is a cliff inscription carved during the Yuan Dynasty by Zhao Ding, a Confucian scholar-official of Zhaoqing Prefecture:

Five giants split the towering stone,

Uplifting a lone peak here in this place.

Nearby it stands as Liantang’s central pillar,

Transported from Penglai isle to earthly space.

At dawn the cloud-gathering sage returns to the cave,

At night immortals roam with cranes o’er the hill.

Towering southeastward, it forms a scenic pride,

The higher you climb, the grander the view you will thrill.