Faliu Mountain Tourist Area

Faliu Mountain Tourist Area

Faliu Mountain Tourist Area is located to the north of Tanxi Town, bordering Xingdu Economic Experimental Zone to the south, Hexi Town to the north, and Haifeng County to the west. With its beautiful environment, it is a destination that combines tourism and religious significance.

The tourist area is home to the historic Qingfeng Chan Temple, which was originally named "Dengguang Temple" and is commonly known as "Chengzai An." Nestled within the steep, mountainous terrain of Hongmian Chengzi Mountain at the foot of Faliu Mountain and surrounded on three sides by hills, Qingfeng Chan Temple was established by the Southern Chan Buddhism’s Ninth Patriarch, Master Dadian, in the early Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (786 AD), boasting over 1,200 years of history. The temple has undergone nine renovations and has been restored or rebuilt since the late Song Dynasty. In 1986, restoration work resumed, and after years of effort, over twenty halls, chambers, and monastic residences have been reconstructed or built, covering a construction area of more than 2,500 square meters. Additionally, three new stone arch bridges have been constructed, and an 8-kilometer cement road from Guangshan Road to Qingfeng Chan Temple has been completed. Despite experiencing wars and fires throughout its history, with periods of prosperity and decline, the temple still preserves a large collection of historical artifacts, including ceramics from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, twelve square stone pillars, six stone lintels, one stone incense burner, a pair of stone lions, and two wooden Buddha statues. A kapok tree and three pomelo trees in the temple grounds were personally planted by Master Dadian when he founded the temple, and a well was also dug under his direction. At its peak, Qingfeng Chan Temple housed over a hundred monks. Since the Tang Dynasty, the dharma lineage has been passed down through generations, and religious activities have continued uninterrupted.

The architectural style of Qingfeng Chan Temple largely follows the traditional design of ancient Chinese temples, using materials such as stone pillars, wooden rafters, and glazed tiles, giving it a majestic, symmetrical, and splendid appearance. The Western Buddha Ancient Hall, according to historical records, was originally built during the Tang Dynasty when the temple was first established. It was later damaged in warfare but was rebuilt on the original site in 1931. To the left of the hall lies an ancient well, which is over 1,200 years old. Its water is uniquely refreshing and sweet, and tea brewed with this water is renowned for its bright color and fragrant taste. For generations, this well water has been the drinking source for the monks, who are said to live long, healthy lives—strong, radiant, and rarely ill. As a result, television and other media outlets have conducted interviews and reports on this phenomenon.

Qingfeng Chan Temple features several unique stone caves. One notable cave, formed by overlapping large rocks on the western side of the temple, emits cool breezes and winds through winding, deep passages. Despite many adventurers exploring it over the centuries, no one has determined its exact depth—estimates range from 500 zhang (approximately 1,650 feet) to 10 kilometers. The cave is associated with a long-standing legend: Master Dadian followed celestial traces from the capital to Hongmian Chengzi Mountain. One day, during a violent storm with pouring rain and darkness, he and his companions remained dry despite the downpour. Amazed, they watched as the rain suddenly stopped, clouds enveloped the mountain, and a beam of auspicious light appeared, guiding Master Dadian into the cave. Inside, radiant lights and purple mists filled the air, and at the center sat an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face. Realizing he had encountered an immortal, Master Dadian bowed and sought guidance, but the immortal remained silent. Just as he was puzzled, the figure vanished. Upon chasing out of the cave, a refreshing breeze blew away the clouds, revealing lush green mountains. Looking up, the immortal smiled down at them before ascending on a cloud. Suddenly, sunlight shone brightly as the immortal had already disappeared. Master Dadian then understood that he had received divine guidance to establish a sacred Buddhist site, so they built the temple in the valley. Because the cool wind dispersed the mountain fog, it was named Qingfeng (Wind-Clearing) Chan Temple, and due to its location in Hongmian Chengzi Mountain, locals commonly call it “Chengzai An Temple.” The Cave Where the Immortal Was Met is referred to as “Immortal Stone Cave,” and its legendary tales are widely celebrated.

The surroundings and ecology of Qingfeng Chan Temple are pristine. Perched on the mountainside, it backs onto hills and faces a valley, oriented north-south, with the main peak of the mountain rising over 800 meters above sea level. The mountain is densely forested with tall, straight pine trees and a rich variety of wild bushes, all vibrant and green throughout the seasons. Occasionally, massive rocks in unusual shapes resembling animals or objects spark the imagination and create a mystical atmosphere. Numerous mountain springs flow year-round, meandering through forests and around boulders like glistening white ribbons cascading from the mountaintop to the base. About 1,000 meters northwest of the temple’s main hall lies a pair of giant rocks called “Gong and Drum Rocks,” protruding prominently from the pine forest with a commanding presence. Every night at the stroke of 3 AM, when everything is quiet and the forest murmurs softly, a sound reminiscent of monks chanting or drums and gongs emanates from the direction of these rocks. The sound is clear and melodious, and for centuries, it has been regarded as a blessing from the Buddhist realm.

To the southwest of Qingfeng Chan Temple lies the Lintouwei Reservoir, built in 1958. Covering a surface area of 2.5 square kilometers and encircled by mountains, it serves as a primary source of water for residents and farmland irrigation in several nearby towns. Thanks to a focus on environmental protection, the reservoir area enjoys good ecological health, with various wild animals and water birds frequently spotted.

The “Faxiu (Liu) Tingyun” (Clouds Lingering over Faxiu [Liu]) scenic spot in Faliu Mountain Tourist Area is one of the old Eight Scenic Views of Lufeng. Also known as Faxiu Mountain, Faliu Mountain stands over 800 meters high and features a famous large stone cave at its summit. Spacious and deep, the cave is said to have once been inhabited by Master Dadian. Inside, there are massive rocks resembling stone tables and beds, as well as small indentations shaped like human footprints, adding to the belief that the cave was once home to immortals. A local legend tells of a contest between Faliu Mountain and the opposing Wumian Mountain, where the immortal residing on Faliu Mountain slapped Wumian Mountain, causing it to become lower and darker in color, hence its name. The “Faxiu Tingyun” scene is immortalized in a poem by Mi Jiegui, Transport Commissioner of Liangguang in the early Qing Yongzheng era: “In the rocky chamber where clouds dwell, / Verdant peaks wreathed in misty spell. / Tea stove hides 'mid vines and leaves, / Crane nests deep ‘neath pines and eaves. / Emerald leaves fan fairy palms, / Lotus blooms reflect dharma psalms. / Temples’ grandeur fills the air, / In woods, one communes with care.”

Qingfeng Chan Temple is revered by Buddhist devotees and is an officially approved site for religious activities. It also serves as a tourist destination for visitors interested in sightseeing and studying Buddhist culture.

Tanxi Town: Located in the southwestern part of Lufeng City along the lower reaches of the Luo River, Tanxi Town borders Shangying Town to the east, Haifeng County to the west, [unnamed area] to the south, and Xingdu Economic Experimental Zone to the north. The town covers a total area of 75 square kilometers with a population of 68,000, governed by 14 village (neighborhood) committees. It enjoys a favorable geographic location and convenient transportation, with Guangzhou-Shanwei Highway and Shenzhen-Shanwei Expressway passing through. The climate is mild and spring-like all year round, and the area is rich in natural resources, with flat, fertile land that supports a well-developed agricultural sector, making it one of the main grain-producing areas in Lufeng City. Since the reform and opening-up, Tanxi Town has seen comprehensive development in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, side businesses, trade, and industry... More details about Tanxi Town++