Guoganglou Leizu Cultural Scenic Area

Guoganglou Leizu Cultural Scenic Area

Guoganglou Scenic Area is located behind the town of Bajiao in Yanting County. It is the hometown of Zhang Shan, the contemporary Olympic skeet shooting champion. Legend has it that Leizu once stayed here briefly while accompanying the Yellow Emperor on his inspections.

The twin hills rise majestically from the ground; the sheer cliffs on both sides are as perilous as those of Jianmen Pass; the sky bridge stretches across, linking north and south; the secluded valley offers a flat path traversing east and west—an extraordinary sight. This sandy shore, coupled with its danger, peculiarity, and beauty, makes Guoganglou what it is.

The southern hill building complex is centered on the “People’s Cultural Palace,” serving as a base for spiritual civilization construction and patriotic education. The large quadrangle courtyard can accommodate three thousand people. On the northern side, a 15.3-meter-high and 8-meter-wide stone carving of Leizu, engraved on a cliff, portrays her with graceful and elegant demeanor, hailed as the largest contemporary sculpture of Leizu. To its left and right are stone-carved horses and silkworms standing face-to-face. In front of the statue, thirty stone steles stand, introducing Leizu’s illustrious achievements. The “Heroines’ Pavilion” in front has four levels: the ground floor serves as the entrance and hallway. The second floor is the stage; the third displays celebrity porcelain statues and profiles. The fourth floor is the “Zhang Shan Photo Exhibition,” showcasing over a hundred color photos across ten frames, highlighting Zhang Shan’s heroic spirit and her contributions to bringing glory to the nation. To the east is the “Exhibition Hall,” featuring portraits of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and the Ten Marshals. It also hosts timely exhibitions aligned with the Party's central tasks, such as the “Hong Kong and Macau Handover Photo Exhibition.” Between the northern and southern hills stands a mountain pavilion, and a steel skybridge soars 30 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 10 meters above ground, fulfilling the long-held wish—“Now indeed there is a tower at Guoganglou, with refreshing breezes and clear views for travelers.”

The northern hill building complex centers on the “Wangquan Temple,” a sacred Buddhist site. Three temples have been built, covering nearly 1,000 square meters. On the left side of the salt-west oil road at the mountain pass stands the “Guanyin Hall,” where a stone-carved Guanyin sits above, and an ancient rock spring lies below—rich in minerals, drinking from it instantly relieves fatigue and even heals illnesses. Pilgrims visit continuously. Eighty steps north of the Guanyin Hall lead to the “Heavenly King Hall,” flanked by the awe-inspiring Four Heavenly Kings, with the widely smiling Maitreya Buddha in the center. Another 200 steps up from the Heavenly King Hall leads to the “Jade Buddha Spring Courtyard,” enclosed by brick walls and forming a serene Buddhist compound, consisting of the “Mahavira Hall,” “Skanda Hall,” meditation rooms, and scripture halls. Inside the hall, Sakyamuni Buddha sits in the center, over ten chi tall, with the Eighteen Arhats displayed along the sides, each expressing joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Hanging canopies and banners shimmer in vibrant colors, enhancing the mystique. Morning bells and evening drums echo afar.

Guoganglou Scenic Area, with its profound culture, unique features, extensive transportation network, excellent service facilities, and beautiful natural scenery, has hosted more than 100,000 visitors in recent years, including leaders from the central, provincial, municipal, and county governments, as well as compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and tourists.