Dragon Head Encircling Green

Dragon Head Encircling Green

As one of the ancient eight scenic spots of Chaoyang, Dragon Head Encircling Green is a uniquely picturesque destination, located in the valley north of Guanlu Village, Jinping. The area is serene and tranquil, surrounded by lush greenery, with the ancient Zengshan Temple nestled within. From the mountain path behind the temple, visitors can climb to Shuangji Peak, where the Chaoyang River unfolds beneath, offering a truly magnificent view.

Shuangji Mountain attracts numerous notable figures due to its beautiful and tranquil landscape. In modern times, the patriotic poet Qiu Fengjia once visited and composed poetry here. Looking further back in history, the site was also a significant place in Buddhist tradition. According to the *Chronicles of Chaoyang County*: “Shuangji Mountain is also known as Zengshan,” and “On its summit lies the Bao Peak Rock Cave, a naturally formed stone chamber eight feet deep and wide, which was also a site visited by the eminent monk Dadian.” This means that over a thousand years ago, the ninth-generation Chan (Zen) master Dadian, a key figure in the transmission of Buddhism from the Central Plains, had already traveled and meditated here. Upon close inspection of the cave walls, several cliff inscriptions can be found, including: “(Song Dynasty) Opened in the Yi Hai year of Shaosheng era (1095),” “(Song Dynasty) Reopened in the Bing Shen year of Zhenghe era (1116),” “(Yuan Dynasty) Re-established in the Bing Wu year of Zhizheng era, recorded by resident monk Yuanqing,” along with five other inscriptions carved by monks during the Ming Dynasty’s Chenghua Xin Chou year and the Republican-era Mao Mao year. These records document the rise and decline of the cave temple throughout history. It is said that by the Ming Dynasty, the site had come to be known as Zengshan Ancient Temple. Moreover, monks not only practiced meditation in the caves but also built temples. Today, Zengshan Ancient Temple consists of several structures built against the mountainside. The temple’s plaque inscribed with the name “Zengshan Ancient Temple” was handwritten by Zheng Zhijiao, a native of Jinping from the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong Xin Chou year, who later served as the military defense commissioner of Anxiang-Yun in Hubei. Nestled on a flat slope of the peak, the temple is shaded by green trees, with winding paths leading through a picturesque and tranquil landscape.