Mount Laozi in Rongshui

Mount Laozi in Rongshui

Mount Laozi in Rongshui is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Also known as Elderly Peak, Mount Laozi is located about 0.5 kilometers southwest of Rongshui County in Guangxi. Legend has it that during the late Spring and Autumn period, the great philosopher Laozi once traveled here to practice Taoism, hence the name. The mountain is majestic and towering, standing over 200 meters high, and resembles a tiger with its mouth open. The tiger’s mouth is Shouxing Rock, beside which lies Tiger Ear Rock. The location of Mount Laozi is unique, featuring three peaks—Fuxing (Prosperity), Luxing (Wealth), and Shouxing (Longevity)—that complement one another. Fuxing Peak lies to the south, Luxing to the west, and Shouxing to the north. The “Mahavira Hall” of Shouxing Temple is nestled among these three peaks. To the east, a jade-like ribbon formed by the confluence of the Rong River and Bei River meanders along the mountain. Shouxing Rock is also known as Lansheng Rock. The cave walls still bear cliff inscriptions from various dynasties. At the entrance of Shouxing Rock stands a more than six-meter-tall statue of Shouxing (the God of Longevity). The mountain also features over ten uniquely scenic caves, including Luban Rock, Reading Rock, Ox Nose Rock, and Prostrate Rock. Among them, Prostrate Rock at the foot of the mountain is the largest and runs through the entire mountain. It is about 40 meters long, spacious and tall inside, capable of holding thousands of people, with numerous side chambers resembling a maze. There is also a pool inside the cave, with water flowing in from Ox Nose Rock at the back of the mountain and out from Water Rock. The entrance to Water Rock is a pool surrounded by green bamboo.

During the Ming Dynasty, the renowned geographer and traveler Xu Xiake also visited Mount Laozi twice, traveling upstream for three days and nights to reach the mountain, leaving his mark there. His phrase “The path taken is truly splendid” reflects his impression. In modern times, Zhao Puchu, an eminent Buddhist leader, outstanding calligrapher, former president of the Buddhist Association of China, and celebrated calligrapher, was invited by Monk Xiucheng in June 1989 to personally write a couplet for Mount Laozi: “Know that the mind is Buddha; take precepts as your teacher.” This couplet is hung on both sides of the Yuantong Gate. In August of the same year, Zhao Puchu’s calligraphy of the four characters “Mahavira Hall” was sent to Shouxing Temple and made into a large cloth plaque, which now hangs above the main gate of the hall.

There is a Yuantong Gate on Mount Laozi. Inside the gate, a cool breeze blows, bringing a refreshing chill even in June, making one’s sweat vanish and spirits lift. Mount Laozi serves as a leisure spot for locals and is also a well-known destination. Before liberation, Shouxing Rock was originally a Taoist site, housing structures such as the Three Pure Ones Hall, Jingguan Tower, and Tingyue Pavilion. Incense burned year-round until the 1970s when it was reduced to ruins. In 1987, the Jingguan Tower, Yuantong Gate, and Mahavira Hall were rebuilt. Newly carved statues of 500 Arhats were placed all over the mountain cliffs, each with distinct expressions and lifelike appearances. The Three Pure Ones Hall (later converted into the Mahavira Hall), Yuantong Gate, and Jingguan Tower were restored, while the Tiger Ear Rock was opened up and developed. The mountain path was leveled, and a six-meter-tall statue of the God of Longevity was erected in front of Shouxing Rock.

In May 1989, Monk Xiucheng took up residence at Shouxing Temple. Since then, Mount Laozi has flourished with continuous incense offerings and growing popularity, becoming a key Buddhist site in central Guangxi. Through the bridge of Buddhism, Monk Xiucheng actively raised funds to erect statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Skanda, and Laozi within the temple. He also created statues of the Eighteen Arhats inside Tiger Ear Rock. In June 1989, Zhao Puchu, former president of the Buddhist Association of China and a famous calligrapher, was invited by Monk Xiucheng to personally write the couplet “Know that the mind is Buddha; take precepts as your teacher,” which was then engraved on both sides of the Yuantong Gate. In August of the same year, Zhao Puchu’s calligraphy of the four characters “Mahavira Hall” was sent to Shouxing Temple and made into a large cloth plaque, which now hangs above the main gate of the hall. In the late 1990s, despite being in his seventies, Monk Xiucheng spared no effort in raising funds to build a magnificent new Mahavira Hall and Heavenly King Hall halfway up the mountain. The monastic community on the mountain grew to over 20 members.

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee implemented the policy of religious freedom, the government rebuilt the Jingguan Tower and invited Monk Xiucheng and four others, including abbess Baolian, to the site. With a spirit of patriotism, love for Buddhism, and dedication to spreading the Dharma, they came from Nanyue to Mount Laozi to continue the Buddhist mission and establish a sacred site. This further enlivened the mountain. In 2006, “Gymnastics Prince” Li Ning also donated to Mount Laozi. Today, with support from all sectors and the hard work of Monk Xiucheng, the mountain has seen the construction of a grand Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, monastic quarters, scripture depository, Longhua Sky Bridge, Ancestral Hall, Yuantong Gate, Golden Path, Thousand Buddha Hall, 500 Arhats, a six-meter-tall statue of Shouxing, a seven-meter-tall stone carving of Guan Yu, a giant stone carving of Maitreya Buddha, and the Hall of the God of Wealth, among others.

“Ancient trees hide beautiful scenery deeply, light mist veils graceful forms subtly.” The temple also houses the most complete and precious authentic version of the Kangxi-era “Tripitaka” and “Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra” in Guangxi, as well as many other texts such as “Bodhipathapradipa” and “Nanshan Jing Zaijia Beilan.” Publications such as “A Hundred Photojournalists Focus on China” and CCTV’s special feature “Xiake’s Journey” have conducted research and interviews here. Today, the caves of Mount Laozi are filled with vivid and diverse statues of 500 Arhats. The temple is home to dozens of devoted monks and nuns, several of whom graduated from Buddhist colleges. Buddhist art thrives here, reflecting a new era of prosperity.

With rich cultural history, strong religious significance, beautiful natural scenery, and comprehensive tourism facilities, Mount Laozi has become a well-known Buddhist tourist destination. Today, the mountain is lush with trees, frequented by worshippers, and resonates with the sound of temple bells. In 2010, it was rated as a national AAA-level scenic area. In 2011, it won the “Most Influential Religious Culture Scenic Area Award” in the Liuzhou Tourism Card selection. In 2013, the Mount Laozi scenic area received 55,000 visitors, generating tourism revenue of 2.3 million yuan. In 2014, it welcomed 327,000 visitors.

Location

Southwest suburbs of Rongshui County, Guangxi

Source: People's Government of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County