Nankun Mountain One-Line Sky

Nankun Mountain One-Line Sky

Climbing eastward from Foaoding Peak on Nankun Mountain and trekking along rugged trails through dense woods, you’ll come face to face with a huge, mirror-smooth rock halfway up the mountain. Along the rock wall lies a deep, secluded canyon, over thirty meters long and only two meters wide, with cliff faces on both sides seeming to press in tightly. Looking up, a sliver of sunlight shines through — this is the famous Nankun Mountain scenic spot “One-Line Sky.”

There is a legend about the “One-Line Sky” involving a mountain deity saving the people: Long ago, Yan Chunlin, a native of Fujian, was determined to cover Nankun Mountain with lush bamboo and went back to his hometown in Fujian specifically to find bamboo seeds. One day, he was carrying a bundle of bamboo seedlings back toward Foaoding when dusk fell, prompting him to quicken his pace. Suddenly, with a loud “thud,” Yan fell into a deep cave and was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, it was already noon the next day. Sunlight poured in through the cave entrance, but when he reached out to feel around, he discovered steep, unclimbable walls on all sides. Realizing he was trapped and unable to fulfill his lofty ambitions, Yan was overcome with grief and burst into loud sobs. His cries reached the ears of the Nankun Mountain deity. The mountain god arrived and, demonstrating divine power, struck the edge of the cave with a powerful palm. Instantly, the earth shook and the mountain quaked, cleaving a pathway through the stone.

Overjoyed, Yan Chunlin quickly gathered the bamboo seeds and made his way out through the newly formed passage. This passage is what is now called the “One-Line Sky.” The Nankun Mountain deity, pleased with having saved the people by splitting the mountain, was also delighted by having created such a wonder. He then hid himself within the mountains opposite the “One-Line Sky.” In his leisure time, he would reveal himself to admire the spectacular view of the “One-Line Sky.” To this day, on the western hill not far from the “One-Line Sky,” there is a massive rock face that resembles a human head. Legend has it that this is the Nankun Mountain deity.