Quanzhou Baoding

Quanzhou Baoding

Baoding is located at the junction of Caowan Town in Quanzhou County and Ziyuan County, standing at an elevation of 2,044.13 meters, making it the third highest peak in South China. Boasting grandeur, majesty, and rugged beauty, Baoding Ridge has been a renowned tourist mountain in northern Guangxi since ancient times (during the Tang Dynasty, the longevity Buddha monk Quanzhen of Xiangshan Temple practiced meditation here for ten years, and during the Ming Dynasty, the geographer Xu Xiake toured the area for six days). At the mountain’s base, visitors can boat on the lake, fish in the shade, or admire waterfalls cascading down deep gorges; halfway up, one can visit ancient temples to offer incense, enjoy seas of clouds among stone clusters; reaching the summit offers panoramic views, the chance to see the sun and moon in the sky together, drink from the holy dripping spring, or even venture into grasslands for hunting and forest retreats to escape the summer heat. Truly, there are three scenes within a mile, and the sky changes every ten. Baoding Ridge features eight major attractions that are especially captivating.

Wufu Lake

Wufu Lake is an artificial lake situated on the eastern foothills of Baoding Ridge. Constructed in 1975, it is the source of the famed Changxiang River in Quanzhou, covering a water area of nearly 3 square kilometers. Surrounded by mountains and flanked by green bamboo and fir trees, the lake remains aquamarine all year round, adorned with seasonal wildflowers and frequented by wild ducks. On summer nights, the moon and stars seem to linger on the water while fish dart across the shallows. In winter and early spring, morning mists blanket the lake, resembling scattered morning light in vibrant hues; by evening, the interplay of mountain light and water makes boating here comparable to a stroll on West Lake.

Cascading Waterfalls

Located within Baoding Ridge, these waterfalls are divided into three tiers from bottom to top: the Jade Curtain Waterfall, the Ninth Heaven Waterfall, and the Dragon Beard Waterfall. The Jade Curtain Waterfall spans 30 meters in width, with water smoothly cascading down flat cliff rocks, resembling a white jade curtain hanging in the gorge when viewed from afar. The Ninth Heaven Waterfall features a cliff nearly 100 meters high, where water plunges straight down, striking the rocks below with a thunderous roar audible for miles. During the rainy seasons of spring and summer, mist rises from the falls, drifting over the mountaintop—even half a mile away, visitors can feel the spray on their skin. The Dragon Beard Waterfall earns its name from its saw-toothed cliff face, where water streams out through the gaps in thin, shining lines that dance like the whiskers of a divine dragon, creating an enchanting spectacle.

Kulian Nunnery

Perched in a mountain hollow above the cascading waterfalls, this ancient nunnery at the foot of Baoding Ridge was first built during the Tang Dynasty as a place where the longevity Buddha monk Quanzhen practiced his winter training. Covering an area of over 500 square meters, the nunnery has endured centuries of change, including periods of abandonment. It now includes three newly built brick-and-tile guest rooms, is home to three nuns, and features a Buddhist hall housing several statues of Guanyin and other deities, with thriving incense offerings. Backed by a continuous stretch of green mountains and flanked by two clear streams that converge in front, the nunnery is embraced by verdant peaks on both sides, offering cool summers and warm winters, with scenic views year-round—making it especially ideal for summer retreats.

Yin Chuan Stone

This boat-shaped stone is 17 meters long, 2.5 meters wide, and 3.2 meters thick. With its hull-like shape facing upward, it is called the “Yin (Inverted) Boat.” Its bow, stern, and body closely resemble a large wooden ferryboat. One end tilts upward, creating space beneath the bow that can shelter around ten people from rain or sun. The boat’s body is entwined with vines bearing lush green leaves and deep red stems, creating a delightful contrast, especially in late autumn. About 3 meters away lies another horizontally resting stone that resembles an old wine jar used by peddlers, hence named the Wine Jar Stone. Legend has it that one day, the longevity Buddha descended from Baoding Ridge to the county town at Panshi Foot and needed to cross the river. After calling for the ferry several times with no response, he discovered the old ferryman drunk on the boat. Remembering how the ferryman often extorted money from travelers, the Buddha grew angry and, with divine strength, hurled the boat and wine jar to Baoding Ridge—where they turned into these two stones.

White Cloud Cave Heaven

Beneath the sheer cliff at the first gate of Baoding Ridge stands an upright, smooth monolith about a zhang (approx. 3.3 meters) tall, inscribed vertically with the characters “White Cloud Cave Heaven” (the calligraphy of Gu, a former magistrate of Quanzhou from the Qing Dynasty). Around this spot, especially during the transition between autumn and summer, vast seas of clouds often shroud the mountain peaks, blocking sunlight and filling valleys. Below the fog, landscapes are veiled in fine rain; above the sea of clouds, a surreal scene of bright sunshine unfolds, reminiscent of a mirage. Visitors here feel as if entering a heavenly realm of mist and rosy clouds, sparking boundless reverie.

Guan Sheng Hall

Built in honor of Guan Yu, this hall is located at Baiyun Nunnery on Xinbao Ding. With its back against a rocky peak and facing east, it sits at the convergence of key routes between Quanzhou and Ziyuan, where the surrounding mountain ridges resemble a coiling dragon. Originally constructed with rammed earth and stone walls, and adorned with carved wooden statues of deities for worship, Guan Sheng Hall was later rebuilt during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty with donations from local mountain residents of both counties. Hundreds of granite slabs were quarried to build its walls, carve its stone gate, install a stone Buddha pedestal, erect embracing stone pillars, and lay iron tiles. The hall was damaged during the Cultural Revolution but has since been fully restored and now attracts many worshippers.

Holy Water Cave

Also known as Lion Rock, this cave is situated at the sheer edge of Baoding Ridge’s summit. A naturally formed niche cave facing a cliff, it is higher outside and lower inside. Inside, stone basins and bowls have been carved, and spring water drips from seamless stone walls on the cave ceiling—one drop at a time, crystal clear like pearls. The water quenches thirst and aids digestion, soothes pain and heals ailments when applied to affected areas, and is said to improve eyesight and calm the mind—thus earning the name “Holy Water.” Many visitors climb the cliffs to collect the water, sometimes leaving offerings in gratitude.

Summit Panorama

Originally named Fufu (Overturned Pot), Baoding Ridge truly embodies the saying “a mountain appears differently from every angle.” Viewed from below, its rocky summit resembles a massive overturned pot; seen from across the mountain, it looks like a towering cliff; and once atop, it feels like walking along a long stone corridor. The summit is surrounded by cliffs on three sides, accessible only by crossing the Guan Sheng Hall and Baiyun Nunnery, then crossing the Jingxin Bridge and climbing stone steps. The smooth granite summit is dotted with irregular stone footprints (legend says they were left by the Tang Dynasty monk Quanzhen and his disciples during training). From here, visitors can look down upon all lesser peaks. On clear days, the scenery of Quanzhou unfolds to the southeast, with vast mountain ranges stretching to the horizon; to the west lie Ziyuan and Longsheng, blanketed in endless green peaks and undulating mountains; below, streams flow eastward, flanked by thousands of peaks, sheer cliffs, and lush trees, with eagles soaring overhead. Standing atop the summit and shouting into the void, the sound echoes through the sky, shaking the mountains—a profoundly moving experience.