Gaolingshan (High Mountain Ridge)

Gaolingshan

Gaolingshan.

Anciently known as Piyashan, it stands at an elevation of

193 meters, located 3.6 kilometers northwest of the county town, and is one of Lingao’s “Eight Major Scenic Spots” as well as a provincial-level nature reserve. The ridge boasts divine stones, sacred lakes, peculiar rocks, a watchtower, and rare flowers and plants; within the ridge are “one lake” (Thousand-Mirror Lake) and “one pond” (Turtledove Pond), which were formed by volcanic eruptions and never dry up year-round; there is also the “Adjacent Spirit Stone,” which originated when the Wang family from Qingzhou in the Han Dynasty migrated to this mountain. Legend has it that the Indian Brahman deity, Bhīṣma, once visited this place. Local chronicles also refer to this stone as the Bhīṣma Spirit Stone, claiming that the deity Bhīṣma resided within it—hence the name Bhīṣma Spirit Stone. Additionally, there is the Gaoshan Temple, built in 1314. It is a scenic tourist destination that blends historical relics with natural landscapes. Legend says the mountain deity here is extremely efficacious, drawing a continuous stream of visitors who come daily to draw lots and seek divinations. Climbing to the top of the ridge and looking into the distance, one can take in the beautiful surrounding landscapes. To the north, the waves of the Beibu Gulf surge, with fishing boats dotting the view; to the east, the beautiful Wenlan River flows like a white jade ribbon through the picturesque county town of Lingao; to the west, the waters of Xinying Port shimmer, with ships crisscrossing the blue sea; and looking down, the villages and houses below are crisscrossed in a maze, with vast green fields and endless furrows, creating a truly refreshing sight. Gaolingshan enjoys a pleasant climate and fresh air, making it a delightful destination for tourists seeking to escape the heat or go sightseeing.

The ridge is home to ancient relics such as the “Bhīṣma Sanskrit Stone Stele” erected by the Indian Brahman master Bhīṣma during the pre-Han period, the “Bhīṣma Spirit Stone” that emerged after the Wang family from Qingzhou in the Han Dynasty settled on the mountain, and the Gaoshan Temple built in 1314. These provide valuable physical materials for the study of the history of Hainan Province and Lingao County.