Lingfeng Mountain

Lingfeng Mountain

Also known as Lingfeng Rock, and formerly called Mafeng Rock, Lingfeng Mountain is a solitary limestone hill that rises abruptly from the ground. It is located within Hezhou Square on the north bank of the river, east of Babu Town. The mountain covers an area of approximately 1,200 square meters and stands about 100 meters high. With steep, precipitous cliffs, a towering and elegant form, and wild trees clinging to the rocks, it presents a primitive and natural beauty. Inside the mountain are peculiar caves and strange rocks, with interconnected caverns that extend in all directions. The cave floor connects to an underground river, while stalactites hang from the cave ceiling. The caves contain fossils of ancient organisms and cliff inscriptions by notable individuals. A cave on the northern foothills of the mountain is about 8 meters high, 5 meters wide, and of unfathomable depth, capable of holding hundreds of people. In ancient times, a local man named Wang Zanbin inscribed the three characters “Lingfeng Rock” on the stone wall at the cave entrance, which remain as clear as new to this day. In front of the cave is a flat platform, and below the platform lies a level, open area now shaded by green trees. On the southern slope, a winding stone staircase has been carved out of the cliff, complete with iron railings, allowing visitors to climb all the way to the summit. At the top of the mountain lies a settlement site from the Neolithic Age. A flat-roofed pavilion has been built on the front peak, while a lookout tower stands on the rear peak.

When viewing Lingfeng Mountain at night, the twinkling streetlights can be seen from the summit. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views: the river rushing below, bridges stretching across, and the entire urban landscape spread out before you. The mountain features unusual rocks and mysterious caves, with labyrinthine passages, hanging stalactites, connections to underground rivers, fossils of ancient life, and cliff inscriptions left by famous individuals. On the northern side of the mountain’s base is another cave, about 8 meters high, 5 meters wide, and of unfathomable depth, capable of holding hundreds of people. In ancient times, a local man named Wang Zanbin inscribed the three characters “Lingfeng Rock” on the stone wall at the cave entrance, still clearly visible today. In front of the mountain, there was once a viewing platform combined with a stage. The plaque above the stage bore the three characters “Lingfeng Platform,” and the couplet “Be the first to worry about the world’s troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures” were both handwritten by Li Jishen, former Vice Chairman of the Central People’s Government of China. Unfortunately, the platform and the inscriptions no longer exist. The Bell Corridor on Qishan (Interesting Mountain), located to the west of Lingfeng Mountain, displays 18 ancient bronze and iron bells dating back to before the Ming Dynasty. Among them is the Qianheng Temple Bronze Bell, cast in the fourth year of the Dabao era of the Southern Han Dynasty (961 AD). It weighs 750 kilograms, stands 1.33 meters high, and has a diameter of 0.83 meters. The top and back are adorned with two dragon-shaped handles. The bell is exquisitely shaped, with a flared mouth, ornate patterns, several raised ridges, and four decorative knobs. The body of the bell is inscribed with 1,288 characters, recording details such as the casting date, dimensions, weight, as well as the names of the supervising officials, casters, engravers, and monks who used it. Though over a thousand years old, the inscriptions are still legible, offering a glimpse into the political, economic, cultural, religious, and technological development of the time. The bell holds significant historical and artistic value. During the Qianlong era (1736–1795), this ancient bronze bell was housed in Qianheng Temple in Meigui Village, Guiling Township. In 1930, the 19th year of the Republic of China, it was moved to San Cheng Temple in Hejie. Because its sound could be heard up to 20 li away when struck at dawn, it became one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of He County” under the name “San Cheng Morning Bell.” In 1963, it was relocated to its current site and placed in a specially built bell pavilion. In the same year, the bell was designated as a key cultural relic under autonomous region-level protection.

Babu Subdistrict: A town under the jurisdiction of He County. It is the seat of the county government, located in the western part of the county, covering an area of 22 square kilometers with a population of 65,000. It administers 4 neighborhood committees and 4 village committees, encompassing 35 natural villages. The town was established as Babu Town in 1951, reorganized as a commune in 1958, and reinstated as a town in 1959. It has nine primary and secondary schools. The town government is located in Babu, on the north bank of the river, with a population of 58,000. Initially, there were eight shops along the riverside; later, a Guangdong merchant built the Xiancheng Guild Hall, which had eight steps in front, leading to the origin of the name “Babu” (literally “Eight Steps”). The area became a market town during the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. In 1919, it served as the administrative office of the First Administrative District of Guangxi Province... Babu Subdistrict detailed information++