Fengshan Scenic Area

Fengshan Scenic Area

Fengshan Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Fengshan Scenic Area is located at the foot of Fengguan Mountain in Yongfu County. The area is shaded by lush trees, filled with birdsong and floral fragrance, and is known for its “Eighteen Scenic Spots.” It features the thousand-year-old Dongyue Temple, the historic Chenghuang Temple—a sacred pilgrimage site—Zhu Xi’s study from the Ming Dynasty, the Memorial Hall of Official Liao, and a forest of steles showcasing calligraphy masterpieces from renowned calligraphers across China. The Chenghuang Temple was first built during the Later Zhou Dynasty. Originally located east of the town, it was later relocated to the east side of Dongyue Temple. Together, they form an exquisitely arranged and magnificent architectural complex. Dongyue Temple is situated at the foot of Fengguan Mountain, surrounded by serene scenery, and is celebrated as the foremost of the “Eight Scenic Views of Qingxi” titled by Zhu Xi—the “Spring Shade at Fenglu.”

Fengshan is located in the center of Yongfu County. Formerly known as Huagai Mountain, it earned its name because its trees stand tall like umbrella canopies. According to the Yongfu County Annals from the 8th year of the Daoguang era (1828): “During the Sui Dynasty’s Daye period, a phoenix nested here, attracting flocks of birds… During the Song Dynasty’s Jianlong era, the phoenix nested again. When local officials heard of it, they sent people to chisel the stone beneath the nest and discovered beautiful jade. The chiseled area formed a pool, named Yuye Pool, and the mountain was named after the phoenix nest.” Huagai Mountain was thus renamed Fengchao Mountain, and is now called Fengshan. In 1998, the county religious affairs office raised funds from the public to restore “Chengxin Temple,” creating a new attraction. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, worshippers flock to Chengxin Temple to burn incense and pray.

The most famous attraction in this scenic area is the giant “Fu” (Fortune) character stone. The large Fu stone is located on the northern side of the mountain peak. It is a stone carving of the Chinese character “Fu” written in regular script, with a red stone base. The character is 83 cm long and 78 cm wide. Its calligraphy is unique, with each stroke ending in five fingertip-like indentations, sparking endless imagination. The “Fu” character is rendered in strong, forceful strokes, engraved on a huge boulder at the mountaintop, measuring three feet square. This character was carved by Monk Tingshi, the abbot of Fengshan’s Chengxin Temple during the Qing Dynasty, based on the authentic brushwork of Li Gong, the top imperial scholar in martial arts from the Song Dynasty. It has a history of over 880 years. Yongfu County also derives its name from this character. The giant “Fu” has been revered by tourists from home and abroad through the ages, symbolizing the pursuit of “happiness” and “eternal fortune.” In addition, Fengshan is also home to Yuye Pool, Wangjiang Pavilion, and the 700-year-old “Pine King,” which stands 80 meters tall.