The Confluence of Three Rivers in Quanzhou

The Confluence of Three Rivers in Quanzhou

The confluence of three rivers, also known as Hejiang, is located at the southeastern tip of Quanzhou. It is formed where the Guangxi River originating from the Haiyang Mountain, the Guan River from the Dupang Ridge, and the Wanxiang River from the Yuecheng Ridge converge. The emerald-green waters meander around, forming a large sandbar that resembles a swimming fish—thus named Whale Island. With a total area of 391.68 mu, including 119.9 mu of state-owned land (belonging to the fruit farm under the Fruit Bureau) and 271.78 mu of collectively owned land (comprising 74.18 mu of paddy fields, 111.06 mu of dry land, 4.4 mu of fish ponds, 2.63 mu of ponds, 40.3 mu of grassland, 14.8 mu of marshland, 19.61 mu of citrus fields, and 4.8 mu of temporary land for the fruit farm), the widest point of the river at the confluence is 300 meters and the narrowest is 40 meters. The entire water area spans 6,600 mu, with a maximum depth of 6 meters and an average depth of 4 meters. The confluence, with its green grass, clear waters, gentle breeze, blue sky, and fishing boats, is highly picturesque and offers a unique scenic charm.

1. Zhenxiang Pagoda – Originally built in the third year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty (1778 AD), this seven-story pagoda stands 30 meters tall with a base diameter of 9 meters. Constructed of brick and designed with eight sides both inside and out, it features internal brick steps for visitors to climb and enjoy the view. Each level has eight small arches and houses 30 stone inscriptions, including poems, travelogues, and calligraphy by literati throughout history. Notably, one volume of Buddhist scriptures is engraved here, offering a spiritually uplifting experience. Surrounded by water and backed by hills, Zhenxiang Pagoda connects to the vast sky above and anchors the expansive blue waves below. Solid as a rock and steady as Mount Tai, it stands proudly by the river, with the green waves wrapping around it like silk ribbons, gracefully winding. The surrounding hills are covered with lush pines, and the dark peaks stand in rows as if in reverence, creating a scene of verdant mountains and beautiful waters.

2. Leigong Pagoda – The foundation stone was laid on January 8, 2002, and construction was completed on September 3, 2003. This pagoda is designed in the style of ancient Song Dynasty architecture with a frame structure, standing seven stories tall at 36.9 meters. The total area, including the basement, is 856 square meters. The government invested a total of 5.27 million yuan, including 1.99 million yuan for the main pagoda structure and 3.28 million yuan for ancillary projects such as park land acquisition, bridge construction, road building, and the restoration of Zhenxiang Pagoda. This pagoda is a high-quality artistic structure meticulously crafted by planners and builders based on Quanzhou’s profound historical and cultural heritage. It embodies the cultural characteristics and historical symbolism of Quanzhou, serving as a new scenic attraction that combines tourism, leisure, entertainment, sightseeing, and nostalgia. It has created broad development opportunities for the tourism industry at the confluence of three rivers and urban redevelopment. The pagoda also serves as a symbolic link in the city’s historical and cultural legacy, connecting the Xiangshan Ancient Pagoda originally built in the first year of the Qianfu era of the Tang Dynasty (874 AD) and the rebuilt Zhenxiang Pagoda from the third year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1798 AD). It was conceived from the perspective of preserving both original ecological and ongoing ecological culture, fulfilling the millennia-old dream of having three pagodas standing together in the city, and enriching the cultural significance of ancient pagodas.

3. Suoyidu – Located downstream of Shuijinggang, on June 19, 1852, Feng Yunshan, the Southern King of the Taiping Rebellion, led his troops in a fierce battle against the Qing army here. Unfortunately, he was fatally shot and died at the age of 39. A stone tablet now stands to commemorate the spot, inscribed with “The Place Where Feng Yunshan, the Southern King of the Taiping Rebellion, Died a Martyr.”

Source: Quanzhou County People's Government Website