Pingchang Balingtai

Pingchang Balingtai

Pingchang Balingtai is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Balingtai, also known as Balinzhai, is located in Lingshan Town, Pingchang County, Bazhong City, Sichuan Province. Situated in the heart of the "Three Ba" regions (Badong, Bashu, and Bazhong), its main peak rises over 760 meters above sea level. The platform stretches approximately 300 meters from east to west, reaches a maximum width of about 25 meters from north to south, narrows to just 3 meters at its thinnest point, and covers an area of around 6,000 square meters. Surrounded by steep cliffs made of massive stones, the mountaintop juts out like a platform and, when viewed from afar, resembles a heavenly steed. It has long been known as the "Iron-Forged Balinzhai." During the Qing Dynasty, a stone arch bridge was built to connect two rocky mountains, forming the Lingtai (Spirit Platform). Standing atop the towering Lingtai feels like being at the center of heaven and earth, closest to the celestial gods, as an ancient poem goes: “The towering, rugged cliffs touch the blue sky; ascending the spirit platform fills one with sudden clarity.” Balingtai integrates Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and is an important node along the Micang Ancient Road as well as a site for ancient Ba Kingdom heaven-worship rituals.

Balingtai currently has seven halls: the Xuanzu Hall, the Yaowang Hall, the Erlang Shenjun Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Maitreya Hall, the Douzhan Shengfo Hall, and the Guanyin Hall. Existing statues include those of Guanyin, Xuanzu, Yaowang Bodhisattva, Lu Ban, the Earth God, Erlang Shenjun, the Buddha, the God of Wealth, the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and the Monkey King. Within the scenic area, five cultural heritage sites—including Huafangzi (Flower House), Jiachang’s Tomb, and the Wu Family Courtyard—have been listed as provincial-level cultural relics protection units; eleven others—including Qiupu’s Tomb, the Fengjiaba Buddhist Pagoda, and the Taoshi Kan Cliff Carvings—have been designated as municipal-level cultural relics protection units. Balingtai gained widespread fame due to the "Balingtai Fu" (Ode to Balingtai), written by Wu Daoning, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) of the Qianlong Gengchen Year of the Qing Dynasty, who later served as the magistrate of Fangshan County.

Major Attractions:

I. Bikou Tomb

This is a relatively rare single-chamber tomb among folk burial sites. Because there is a large memorial archway outside the tomb, locals call this place “Paifang Liang” (Archway Ridge). The ancient tomb was originally built during the Ming Dynasty and underwent several restorations during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. Although it suffered damage during the Cultural Revolution, it remains fairly well-preserved to this day. Inside the tomb lies the eminent monk Puweng from the Hongfan Monastery of the Ming Dynasty. At the center of the tomb is the “Relic Stupa.” The memorial archway of the ancient tomb is simple yet imposing. Though its top has been damaged, the stone lions below, though smashed and missing their supporting legs, still stand firmly, a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and wisdom of the ancients.

II. Changning Fort and Gate Tower

The entire Changning Fort stretches like a long snake atop the mountain behind Minyi Village in Lingshan Town. The fort features five well-preserved ancient gateways, as well as trench fortifications left from the Red Army era. It is also the setting of the legendary tale “Chen Shan Blocks the Western River.” The exact dynastic origin and original purpose of the five ancient gateways of Changning Fort have yet to be investigated.

It is said that “Chen Shan Blocks the Western River” is a historical drama. In the early Ming Dynasty, five stone gateways were built at Changning Fort to defend against attacks by the “Zhu Thief.” The martial arts champion Chen Shan, in order to repel the enemy, stood atop the final gateway of Changning Fort during a battle against the “Zhu Thief” and fired an 800-jin bronze cannon at Golden Cliff Fort, terrifying the enemy. This feat became widely celebrated among the people.

Chen Shan was a native of Chenjiaba at the foot of Balingtai. A martial arts examination graduate, he possessed extraordinary strength. With one cannon shot, he struck down the stone mill and wooden stake on the millstone beneath Golden Duck Fort opposite, scaring the invading enemies so badly that they fled in terror and never dared to attack again. From then on, the story of “Chen Shan Blocks the Western River” has been passed down through the ages. Local villagers raised funds to build a gate tower in his honor.

III. Shisan’ya

The higher the mountain, the higher the water. To reach the Lingtai, one must pass through Shisan’ya. At the pass, there is a Temple of the Earth God, and facing it is Shisan Spring. The spring water is sweet and refreshing, warm in winter and cool in summer. For thousands of years, it has nourished the villagers below and the monks above. Legend has it that the abbot of the mountain sent Monk Shisan to guard this spring. Loyal to his duty, Monk Shisan stayed here for over 30 years, keeping company with the Earth God, lighting lamps in the morning and burning incense in the evening. His devotion moved the heavens, and the spring grew larger and the water quality improved over time, remaining abundant and pure for centuries. To commemorate him, the place was named Shisan’ya, the spring Shisan Spring, and the opposite ridge Duangong Ridge. Even today, people often hang red decorations and set off firecrackers here in remembrance. Especially miraculous was during the Cultural Revolution, a time of scarce medicine, when it was widely believed that the Medicine King appeared, that all herbs on the mountain had healing properties, and that Shisan Spring could cure diseases. People from nearby areas flocked to the mountain to fetch the holy spring water and gather medicinal herbs in hopes of improving their health.

IV. Balin Grand Courtyard

Originally known as the Li Family Courtyard, the Balin Grand Courtyard sits against Changning Fort and connects to Balingtai. The entire compound is rustic and natural, rich in historical and cultural significance. Legend has it that Li Yin, the progenitor of the Li family of Shu kings, was the sixth son of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Initially, the ancestors were stripped of their noble titles due to jealousy and demoted to commoners in Bazhou, where they lived in seclusion two li north of the city. By the 22nd generation, Li Yinglong, to escape the chaos of the early Ming military conflicts, fled and settled in Baipishan of the Erjiao Temple in Min’er, Balingtai. The descendants of the fifth branch, the Ao lineage, lived in the Lijiachang Courtyard in Caoba Field—a family of literary and martial distinction. Notable figures included Li Zhi, a Jinshi scholar of the Ming Dynasty, praised for his virtue; Li Huailian of the Qing Dynasty, who was officially appointed as a military officer; and Li Yaxi, who graduated from the Chongqing Naval Officers Academy, further studied at the Whampoa Military Academy, and in 1978 became the Commander of the Taiwan Garrison, then in 1982 the Commander of the Taiwan Navy. Many historical figures gathered here, and a couplet at Li Tao’s Tomb praises: “Changning’s towering peaks gather virtuous heroes; the flowing Ci Stream foretells a land of spiritual abundance.”