Qixing Ridge

Qixing Ridge

Qixing Ridge

Qixing Ridge—Facing the sea to the north, it stands at an elevation of 117.4 meters with over ten peaks of varying sizes, among which seven peaks rise prominently, resembling the “Seven Stars of the Big Dipper,” facing across the sea to the Leizhou Peninsula. Qixing Ridge is charming and picturesque, covered with a rich variety of wild plants and adorned with rare and exotic flowers that bloom vibrantly all year round. Both on the mountain and at its base, thousands of acres of artificially planted Caribbean pines form a vast expanse. Mountain roads wind up to all the peaks, allowing cars to drive spirally to the mountaintop.

On the southern side of Qixing Ridge area, halfway up one of the peaks, there is a natural spring that flows continuously. The water is sweet and clear, and has long been regarded as sacred by both Buddhist and Taoist followers. At the foot of the peak lies a temple named “Temple of the Seven Stars Sacred Mother,” featuring a quaint and unique design. About 200 meters to the east at the foot of the main peak is a freshwater lake, commonly known as “Dinosaur Pond,” covering an area of about 50 acres, shaped like a full moon and of unfathomable depth. The seven peaks resemble stars, and the flat lake resembles the moon, creating a uniquely beautiful landscape that has been referred to since ancient times as “Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon.”

On Qixing Ridge stands the towering Doubing Tower atop the main peak. It was initially built in the fifth year of the Tianqi era during the Ming Dynasty (1625) and reconstructed in the thirteenth year of the Tongzhi era during the Qing Dynasty (1874).

Qixing Ridge faces the Qiongzhou Strait, which has long been a route for merchants, travelers, and fishing boats. Due to the lack of navigation markers, maritime disasters were common. Wang Honghai (also known as Wang Honghai), a Ming Dynasty scholar and Minister of Rites, after retiring to his hometown, initiated fundraising efforts and petitioned the imperial court for funding to build the tower for the purposes of navigation and warding off evil spirits. Doubing Tower resembles the “Seven Stars of the Big Dipper,” with its structure fashioned like the handle of the dipper, hence its name. The tower is octagonal, has seven stories, and is over 30 meters tall. A spiral staircase inside the tower leads to the top, where visitors can overlook the Qiongzhou Strait and take in the surrounding scenery, feeling a sense of boundless openness that is both refreshing and uplifting.

Address:

Northeast of Puqian Town, Wenchang

Opening Hours:

All day

Admission Fee:

Free