Yanshan Lake

Yanshan Lake

Yanshan Lake

Yanshan Lake is located in Liuxian Village, Kuiyang Town, Xingye County. The lake water is crystal clear, with uniquely shaped peaks towering beautifully along the shore. Water nestles against mountains, and mountains lean toward the water, creating picturesque lakeside scenery.

In the golden October of autumn, we drove about 10 kilometers from Xingye County town to reach Liuxian Village. Yanshan Lake lies along the road from Liuxian Village to Andong Village and Tielian Reservoir. As you stand by the lake, you’ll see calm, clear water shimmering under the sunlight. The over 20-acre-wide lake surface is divided into small ponds. Lotus leaves, as big as plates, are scattered across the lake; white lotus flowers bloom like scattered stars, stretching toward the foot of the mountain. Lush greenery of Yanshan Mountain beside the lake reflects beautifully on the water’s surface, forming a poetic scene that makes one eager to take photos.

Yanshan Lake is also known as Yanzi Datang (Swallow Big Pond), a name with a long history. It is said that in spring, many swallows fly out from Yanshan Mountain and gather by the lake, chasing, playing, dancing, and singing on the water’s surface, as if hosting a grand ball — a spectacular sight. The fish in the lake are plump, sweet, and free from any fishy taste, making them quite famous in Xingye. Unfortunately, as it wasn’t spring and no fishing was underway, we missed both the chance to see the swallows dancing on the water and to taste the delicious fish.

The peaks around Yanshan Lake belong to a section of Tieshi Mountain, which is part of the Liuwang Mountain Range. Tieshi Mountain has played a notable role in the history of both Xingye and Yulin. Historical records such as the Ming Dynasty’s Geographic Records and the Comprehensive Gazetteer all document this: the mountain features continuous peaks, overlapping and encircling like fish scales, with an iron-like hue. Its middle section is flat, containing numerous stone caves, and perennial springs that never dry up, capable of supporting hundreds of households. A stone peak rises over a hundred zhang high from the flat land, with steep, solid surrounding walls resembling a fortress, hence the name Tieshi Mountain (Iron Fortress Mountain). Tieshi Mountain was once the administrative center of the ancient Shinan County, Shinan Prefecture, Yuzhou, and Yulinzhou, earning it the additional name Guzhoudou (Ancient State Belly). The scenery of Tieshi Mountain has been praised by literati since ancient times. Ming Dynasty scholar He Shilun wrote in his poem “Poetic Relics of Iron Fortress”: “The magical rhinoceros traces untouched by dust, the dragon pool untouched by falling rosy clouds. The city gate stands wide open, devoid of people; birds chirp through flowers in the bright spring. Drunk, I dance, wind shaking the trees; a flute sound echoes at dusk over the blue water. Seeking immortal traces, I head for Tiantai Mountain, but dense grass and clouds hide its location.” Today, Guzhoudou is under military jurisdiction and not easily accessible to civilians, but nearby areas such as the valleys and peaks around Guzhou Rock, especially the peaks by Yanshan Lake, still offer a glimpse of Tieshi Mountain’s grandeur.

Guzhou Rock has an entrance facing west. Walking just over a mile from the village committee of Liuxian Village will bring you to the cave entrance. From the entrance of Tieshi Primary School, looking eastward, you can also spot the slightly flattened, dragon-mouth-like shape of the cave opening. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice the mouth is wider at the front and narrower at the back, higher in the front and lower in the back. The entrance is about 7 meters high, 6 meters wide, and 13 meters deep. A thick water-barrel-sized stalagmite rises from the right side of the cave entrance all the way to the top, resembling a large front tooth in the dragon’s mouth. The cave ceiling also features sharp stalactites of varying lengths hanging down like pointed teeth, while wild vines descending from the mountain by the entrance resemble the dragon’s whiskers. The inner cave walls are steep on both sides, with relatively flat ground and ceiling. Inside the main hall, there’s a protruding “dragon tongue,” a recessed “dragon throat,” and deeper inside lies the “dragon belly.” It’s said that entering the dragon belly leads outside the mountain. According to local lore, Guzhou Rock lies on a coiling dragon-shaped landform, and the mountain peak it sits on is neither too long nor too short, resembling two stout front claws reaching forward — giving it the imposing aura of being ready to leap into the sky and soar through space. No wonder people have occupied this cave for spiritual practice, setting up Buddha statues and burning incense since ancient times. Inscriptions found within the cave, such as the “Record of the Renovation of Guzhou Rock” and the “Record of the Permanent Farmland of Guzhou Rock,” indicate that monks have resided here since the Ming Dynasty, maintaining farmland to support the cave’s daily needs. There were tiled houses and mountain gates built at the cave entrance, and Buddha statues placed inside. In the past, religious activities here flourished. However, with changing times and the remote, desolate location, monks eventually left. The remaining Buddha statues and mountain gates today were rebuilt through donations by later devotees.

Standing at the entrance of Guzhou Rock and looking around, you’ll see fertile fields embraced by two mountains directly in front of the main entrance, their colors shifting with the seasons. Lush peaks surround the east, south, and north sides, with forests and rocks interspersed, green vines and trees, and rugged stones hiding along paths. Springs trickle down the mountainsides with clear water and fish. Thanks to good ecological preservation, during spring and summer, wild cranes can often be seen gliding low among the hills, pheasants foraging in the fields, birds singing in the trees, and various mountain flowers blooming in vibrant competition. In autumn and winter, the mountains are dyed red with foliage, transforming these peaks into a dazzling and captivating scene, attracting even more visitors. Therefore, it can be said that the green mountains, clear waters, and fertile fields together weave a serene paradise filled with birdsong, floral fragrance, lake views, and mountain scenery.

About 2 kilometers from Yanshan Lake lies a reservoir covering over a thousand acres, called Tielian Reservoir. The reservoir is long and narrow, surrounded by verdant green mountains, with clear water and plump fish, making it a great place for boating, fishing, and leisure.

A few years ago, a local entrepreneur spotted the beautiful landscape of Yanshan Lake and built a bullfighting arena here, along with wooden cabins and other facilities on the mountain. Minority ethnic song and dance troupes were also invited to perform, creating a lively scene for a time. However, due to a lack of overall planning and design, coupled with financial issues, the project was abandoned halfway, leading to fewer and fewer visitors and gradual abandonment. I think if it were scientifically planned along with Tielian Reservoir and developed step-by-step with proper funding, this unpolished gem — Yanshan Lake — could be finely crafted into a dazzling attraction that draws much attention...