Shuangfeng Mountain

Shuangfeng Mountain

The Shuangfeng Mountain Natural Scenic Area is located in Zhangjialing Village, Fancun Town, Hejin City, 15 kilometers from the city center. It lies at the southern foot of the Lüliang Mountains and the eastern end of the Longmen Mountain Range. To the north are the continuous Lüliang Mountains bordering Xiangning County, to the south is the solitary mountain of Wanrong, to the west the surging Yellow River, and to the east National Highway 209. Covering an area of approximately 3 square kilometers, the area enjoys convenient transportation.

The area boasts a beautiful natural environment and pleasant scenery. Notably, it features Jiangshan Temple, the “Hanging Temple of Southern Shanxi,” which clings to the cliffs. Nature’s masterful craftsmanship has created wondrous rock formations such as a “Lion Lying on the Summit,” “Turtle Carrying the Temple,” “Phoenix Spreading Its Wings,” “Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain,” and “Two Tigers Nestling Together.” These form a feng shui pattern of “Green Dragon on the Left, White Tiger on the Right, Vermilion Bird in the South, Black Tortoise in the North,” all embraced by a “Jade Belt.” Coupled with enchanting legends and folklore, the site leaves every visitor in awe.

[Jiangshan Temple]

Jiangshan Temple is perched on the cliffs of a peak in the northern part of Zhangjialing Village, at an altitude of 950 meters. According to existing relics, it was originally built during the Ming Dynasty. Together with the Xuan Di Temple and Zhen Wu Temple in the city, it forms the central axis of Hejin, with Jiangshan Temple situated at the northernmost end of this axis. Built on a sheer cliff, its mystical presence rivals that of the Hanging Temple of Mount Heng, earning it the title “Hanging Temple of Southern Shanxi.” The main hall enshrines the Jade Emperor, while the side halls house deities depicted playing chess.

According to local legend, the origin of Jiangshan Temple is as follows: The Jade Emperor sent two immortals to Earth to observe the lives of mortals. When they completed their mission and were returning, they were captivated by the stunning scenery of the area and decided to rest and play chess in a cave. A hardworking and simple woodcutter named Liu Juzheng, who lived in poverty, had been chopping wood in the mountains until noon when he took a break in the cave. There, he saw two white-bearded elders playing chess. He put down his carrying pole and axe, knelt down, and watched the game, becoming so engrossed that he lost track of time. When he grew hungry, he picked up the peach pits left by the elders and sucked on them. After the game, one elder smiled and said, “Young man, it’s getting late. It’s time to go home!” When the woodcutter turned to look outside, it was already dark. When he turned back, the two elders were gone. Looking up, he saw only swirling clouds as the elders had already ascended to the heavens. He then went home, but when he reached for his tools, the carrying pole, axe handle, and rope had all rotted away. Puzzled, he returned to the village, only to find everything changed. Although remnants of the old alleys could still be seen, none of the villagers recognized him. After hearing his story, some elders recalled ancestral tales of a woodcutter who never returned. However, sixty years had passed, and the elders of the village were now the descendants of those times. The woodcutter suddenly realized that the chess-playing elders must have been immortals—and that he, too, had been touched by their magic. He then returned to the mountain and entered the cave, where he attained enlightenment and became immortal. Since the Jade Emperor rules the Three Realms and unites the nation, the temple was named “Jiangshan Temple” (Temple of the Nation).

[Peacock Displaying Its Tail]

Upon entering the scenic area, the first sight to greet you is the overall landscape of the park, which resembles a giant peacock spreading its magnificent tail to welcome visitors from afar.

[Turtle Carrying the Temple (Northern Black Tortoise Ridge)]

Looking down from Jiangshan Temple, in the southeast direction, a section of the mountain strikingly resembles a ten-thousand-year-old giant turtle, with its head, neck, eyes, and shell vividly detailed. The cliff where Jiangshan Temple stands sits perfectly atop the turtle’s back, as if an ancient temple is being carried by a timeless sacred turtle, bearing the weight of history. This magical sight inspires not only wonder but also deep reverence. Its location corresponds precisely to the feng shui arrangement of the Northern Black Tortoise.

[Lion Lying on the Summit]

Standing beneath Jiangshan Temple and looking up at its roof, one can see a lion lying atop it—one eye wide open, the other slightly closed, exuding majesty and vigilance. It appears as though the lion is guarding the summit of the temple.

[Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain (Right White Tiger)]

In the southwest direction below Jiangshan Temple, there is a section of the mountain that resembles a fierce tiger descending from the heights, with its head facing southwest and its tail raised, radiating a powerful aura. As it is located to the left of the temple, it aligns with the feng shui arrangement of the Right White Tiger.

[Phoenix Paying Homage (Southern Vermilion Bird)]

Looking down from Jiangshan Temple, one can see a massive phoenix formed by the gullies and ridges below, spreading its wings and bowing its long neck in reverence toward the temple. Its position also corresponds to the feng shui arrangement of the Southern Vermilion Bird.

[Five-Colored Stones]

Within a range of less than 100 meters in the scenic area, five types of colored rocks—red, white, yellow, green, and blue—are deposited. This corresponds to the legend of Nüwa repairing the sky with five-colored stones. From *Huainanzi • Luanming Training*: “In ancient times, the four pillars collapsed, the nine provinces split, the sky could not cover everything, the earth could not support all, fire burned without ceasing, water flooded endlessly, fierce beasts devoured the people, and birds of prey attacked the old and weak. Then, Nüwa smelted five-colored stones to mend the sky, cut off the legs of a giant turtle to establish the four pillars, slew a black dragon to save Jizhou, and piled up reeds’ ashes to stop the flooding. The sky was mended, the pillars set right, the floods dried up, Jizhou was leveled, the vicious creatures died, and the people survived.” It is said that this is the very place where Nüwa smelted the five-colored stones. Even today, locals regard these stones as objects to ward off evil and bring protection to their homes.

[Heavenly-Crafted City Wall]

Below Jiangshan Temple, there is an exposed layer of rock surrounding the temple. From a distance, it looks like a solid city wall encircling the temple, as if nature’s master craftsmanship designed a protective barrier for this sacred palace, adding to its mystique.

[Bamboo Leaf Rock]

Within the scenic area, there is a unique type of rock formation known geologically as “bamboo-leaf dolomite.” Its shape resembles bamboo leaves scattered across the rock surface, clearly defined and aesthetically pleasing. Belonging to the Cambrian-era sedimentary rock formation, these rocks are estimated to be 540 million years old, dating back to one of the earliest periods of life on Earth. This geological feature adds special significance to the landscape.

The scenic area is located in Zhangjialing Village, Fancun Town, Hejin City, Shanxi Province, approximately 15 km from the city center.

Scenic area opening hours: Open all day

Scenic area admission fee: The scenic area is currently under planning and construction and has not yet opened to the public; there is no entrance fee at this time.

Scenic area:

Self-driving route: Drive 15 km north along National Highway 209 from downtown Hejin to Zhangjiaxiang Village in Fancun Town, then continue about 0.8 km northwest to reach the destination.

Public transport: Take the bus from downtown Hejin to Beiwwuqin, get off at the entrance of Zhangjiaxiang Village, and walk 0.8 km northwest along the cement road to arrive.

Fancun Town: Fancun Town is bordered by Senglou Town to the east, Qingjian Subdistrict to the south and west, and Xiahua Township to the north. It covers a total area of 62.6 square kilometers. The area is rich in limestone and quartz resources. Adjacent to the Lüliang Mountains and close to Xiahua, known as the coal capital, residents here are engaged in farming as well as coking and transportation. Over the past decade, technological upgrades have continuously improved the scale and technology of Fancun’s coal and coke industry, which is closely interdependent with the transportation sector, leading to significant enhancements in social, economic, and environmental benefits. In addition to focusing on expanding scale and improving standards, township enterprises have developed high-efficiency ventures such as electrolytic aluminum and thermal power, resulting in steadily increasing incomes for local farmers. The town also hosts municipally-owned enterprises... More details about Fancun Town++