Shipi Mountain Scenic Area

Shipi Mountain Scenic Area

Shipi Mountain Scenic Area is located on the northern side of the county town. The area boasts lush forests, beautiful scenery, and a scattering of historic sites. It serves as an important destination for leisure, fitness, mountain climbing, science education, and religious pilgrimage, and is known as the “back garden” of the county town. The planned area of the scenic zone spans 3.2 square kilometers and features four functional zones: a core conservation area, a recreation and resort area, a cultural and comprehensive service area, and a forest exploration area. Major attractions include Nahai Tower, the grand archway “A Jade Wall in Eastern Guangdong,” Suyu Spring, Leiyin Temple, cliff inscriptions, Lizhi Lake, and the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Monument of Raoping County.

Nahai Tower is situated at the summit of Shipi Mountain. The tower’s name was inscribed by the renowned painter and calligrapher Guan Shanyue. Climbing to the top and leaning on the railing, visitors can gaze out at Fengjiang River, which resembles a jade belt stretching across the county town, with sweeping views of the South China Sea and Huanggang’s beautiful scenery.

The grand archway “A Jade Wall in Eastern Guangdong” features plaques inscribed with the characters “A Jade Wall in Eastern Guangdong” and “Lingxiu Yizhao” (Brilliance and Grace Revealed), both calligraphed by Zhao Puchu — bold and vigorous in style.

Suyu Spring is located east of Leiyin Chan Temple. The spring water here is sweet and cool, making it a favorite spot for tourists to draw water for tea, reflect on the past, and compose poetry.

Shipi Mountain is home to numerous cliff inscriptions created by contemporary Chinese masters, as well as poets, scholars, and officials from past dynasties, who left spontaneous calligraphy and verses on the rocks.

In front of the scenic area lies the artificially excavated Lizhi Lake, dotted with pavilions and waterside gazebos. Visitors can enjoy boating between the blue sky and clear waters, experiencing true tranquility.

The forest in Shipi Mountain Scenic Area is lush and green, featuring ancient and famous trees from the Ming Dynasty, newly planted “Doctoral Forest,” the ancient Leiyin Temple, the natural attraction “Jianyu Spring,” as well as modern structures such as the “A Jade Wall in Eastern Guangdong” archway (inscribed by Zhao Puchu), Nahai Tower, Lizhi Lake, and Feihong Bridge.

Leiyin Ancient Temple

Leiyin Ancient Temple is located at the southern foot of Qiyun Mountain. In the 28th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1532), Yu Sanren from Shangbu Village in Huanggang built a stone pavilion next to the Changshen Cave on Qiyun Mountain. A caretaker lived in the pavilion to guard the nearby tomb (known as the Tomb Where the Yellow Ox Listens to the Golden Bell), often burning incense and candles to pray for peace before the cave’s mountain deity. Over time, it gradually evolved into Leiyin Ancient Temple. During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, a kiln mutation occurred in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, producing eighteen arhats. Each arhat bore the inscription “Chaozhou Leiyin Ancient Temple” on its back. The county magistrate reported this to the imperial court, and the emperor ordered a search for Leiyin Ancient Temple in Chaozhou. The Chaozhou prefect promptly instructed all counties to look for it, and it was eventually discovered next to the Changshen Cave on Qiyun Mountain in Huanggang. Since the temple’s eighteen arhats closely resembled the kiln figures, and because the temple used the massive rock of the Changshen Cave as its rear wall, it later became known as “Shipi An” (Stone Wall Nunnery), and the original Qiyun Mountain also came to be called Shipi Mountain.

Suyu Spring

Suyu Spring is located in a valley of Shipi Mountain. Surrounded by ancient trees, a towering boulder covers several rocks, forming a cave. The cave entrance is 1 meter high and 1.7 meters wide, extending 5 meters horizontally and vertically. Inside the cave floor lies a large rock that tilts forward with the mountain’s slope, with two winding small stone gullies extending from the bottom. Clear spring water bubbles out year-round, converging at the cave entrance and flowing out as if a dragon were spitting water. In the third year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1524), Yu Weng engraved the three large characters “Suyu Spring” on the boulder. In the 16th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1752), Xu Zhiliang composed two poems titled “Inscription at Jade Spring.” In the sixth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1867), Zhang Dianxiong, the military envoy of Fenggang, wrote a five-character regulated verse, all praising Suyu Spring.

Tip: There is a gongfu tea stall by Suyu Spring. It’s quite nice to gather with friends for tea, chat, and cards on a summer afternoon (10 yuan per table).

Nahai Tower

Nahai Tower is located atop Shipi Mountain in Huanggang Town, Raoping County. It covers an area of 500 square meters. From the tower, visitors can overlook the entire Huanggang area and the South China Sea, where sea and sky merge into one. Embodying the philosophy of the times — like the ocean embracing all rivers, thus appearing vast — the tower was named for having the broad mind of the sea. The tower was constructed between April 1991 and September 1992, built with reinforced concrete. It has a double-deck, six-pillar structure, incorporating traditional ancient architectural craftsmanship. The roof features upturned eaves, golden glazed tiles, surrounded by corridors protected by red-painted railings. The upper and lower levels are adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, decorated with mythological scenes, classical opera panels, and exotic flowers and plants. The plaque of Nahai Tower was inscribed by the famous painter and calligrapher Guan Shanyue. It is a popular tourist destination.

Source: Raoping County People's Government Website