Daibu Mountain Cultural Tourism Area

Daibu Mountain Cultural Tourism Area

The Daibu Mountain Cultural Tourism Area is located in the southern suburbs of Jiazi Town, at the mouth of the Ying River where it meets the sea. The scenic area includes attractions such as Daibu Mountain, Tianhou Palace, and the “Sixty Jiazi Fence,” along with precious historical relics like cliff inscriptions, stone tablets, plaques, and couplets, as well as picturesque harbor views and She ethnic culture. Jiazi was historically known as Jiazi Gate, a name derived from the sixty uniquely shaped reefs and rocks in the bay that coincidentally matched the sixty earthly branches of the traditional Chinese calendar. Since the Northern Song Dynasty, due to prolonged warfare, a large number of Han people migrated from the Central Plains and Fujian to Jiazi Gate, where they settled, established roots, and thrived. Jiazi Port has long been a prime harbor. In an era when maritime transport was more convenient than overland routes, the port flourished with bustling shipping activity and a gathering of merchants, becoming a key commercial hub in eastern Guangdong. This economic prosperity fostered a fusion of diverse cultures and significantly elevated Jiazi’s political, economic, and military status. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jiazi was designated as a military post, guarded by imperial troops under the jurisdiction of Jieshi Guard.

Daibu Mountain, commonly known as Dagan Mountain, is covered in lush green trees, alive with birdsong and floral fragrance. Ancient stone steps wind their way up to Jiaxiu Tower at the summit. From atop Jiaxiu Tower, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Jiazi Town, with sweeping vistas of the town and, in the distance, the vast blue sea dotted with fishing boats—a truly magnificent sight. Jiaxiu Tower was first built during the Ming Dynasty to commemorate Emperor Duan, the last ruler of the Southern Song Dynasty. The tower was constructed with rammed earth walls, featuring a hexagonal shape topped with a gourd-shaped roof, its spire pointing directly at the sky. Despite enduring six hundred years of weathering, the tower remains remarkably well-preserved. Historical records note that in the late Southern Song Dynasty (1276), when Lin’an (modern-day Hangzhou) fell, Emperor Zhao Bing and his brother Zhao Shi, escorted by loyal ministers including Chancellor Lu Xiufu, retreated by sea to Jiazi Gate. They set up camp at Shunji Palace at the foot of Daibu Mountain, using the mountain as their military base to lead resistance against the Yuan forces. At the time, Fan Liangchen, a local from Jiazi, voluntarily provided food for the soldiers. Zheng Fuweng, Zhang Wenlie, and others led a civilian uprising to support the emperor, engaging in fierce battles against the Yuan army and writing a tragic yet heroic chapter in Southern Song history. To commemorate these events, later generations built Jiaxiu Tower, the Food Offering Pavilion, the Fuweng Pavilion, and erected an imperial statue.

Tianhou Palace, originally named Shunji Palace, was first built in the fifth year of the Qiandao era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1169). Fan Youren, a native of Jiazi who once served as the chief magistrate of Dongguan in Guangdong, personally funded the construction of Shunji Bridge and Shunji Palace. During the sixth year of the Yongle era in the Ming Dynasty (1408), the bridge was dismantled by imperial order to strengthen Jiazi’s defenses against Japanese pirates and coastal raiders. Shunji Palace, however, endured eight hundred years of history, was renamed Tianhou Palace, and remains standing to this day. The palace enshrines the deity Mazu, and after multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was completely rebuilt in 1992. The complex follows a three-courtyard, four-section layout, featuring architectural elements such as a triple gate, the main hall, middle hall, side corridors, a performance stage, and a sky street pavilion. The palace is adorned with red bricks, blue tiles, painted beams, and carved rafters, exuding grandeur and magnificence. It houses numerous precious historical relics, including stone tablets, couplets, plaques, and carvings from various dynasties. Among them are plaques inscribed with “Heaven Opens Jiazi” and “Marvels of Wood and Stone,” written by Hu Shihua, an official of the Lingdong Circuit during the Ming Dynasty; a stone tablet titled “Record of the Imperial Son Pavilion” by Qu Dajun, a renowned literary figure of the Qing Dynasty; the plaque naming the palace “Tianhou Palace” by Sun Zongxia, a martial arts champion of the Qing Dynasty; and inscriptions such as “Founding Peace in the Watery Realm” by Hong Qiao, a scholar of the Jiawu class. Additionally, over forty contemporary renowned calligraphers have contributed artworks with inscriptions such as “Boundless Grace Over the Maritime Realm,” “Protect Our Territories,” “Compassionate Voyage Across the Seas,” and “Guardian of the Sea Like a Deity,” all dedicated to Mazu culture.

The “Sixty Jiazi Fence” is not only the origin of Jiazi Town’s name but also one of the famed “Eight Scenic Spots of Jiazi.” The “Sixty Fence” refers to sixty sea-eroded rocks scattered across the water surface, each with unique and whimsical shapes that showcase the marvels of nature—examples include the “Key to the Southern Sea” rock (formerly called “Mazu’s Double Flower Vase”), the “Lion” rock, the “Swallow” rock, the “Parrot Chasing Carp” rock, the “Double Sails Hanging Over the Sea” rock, the “Five Horses Leaping into the River” rock, and the “Ascending Ying” rock. These extraordinary formations inspire awe for nature’s craftsmanship and admiration for the mystique of Jiazi. One of the old Eight Scenic Spots of Lufeng, “Jia Rock Swallows the Tide,” is located at Jiazi Port. Ancient poetry vividly captures this spectacle: “Glistening stones at the tidal edge, jagged rocks stand tall. Gathering scenic charm with verdant isles, embracing the void where blue waves dash. Floral hues chill the splashing spray, starlight shivers in the cold ripples. Boundless inspiration by the flowing tide, rod in hand recalls angling at Pan.”

The She ethnic group is said to be descendants of a feudal aristocracy from China’s Central Plains. Driven out by dynastic changes and warfare, they migrated all the way to Jiazi. As members of a fallen aristocracy, they held a low social status and faced discrimination upon arriving in Jiazi—they were not allowed to live on land, prohibited from wearing the same clothing as the local Han people, and forbidden from intermarrying with locals. Under extremely harsh conditions, the She people made their living through fishing, lived on boats, wore mixed-colored garments, and resiliently endured, making significant contributions to the local economy and culture. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Party and government paid close attention to the political and economic wellbeing of the She people. A Fishing Village New Community was established in Jiazi Town, ending their history of hardship and humiliation of being barred from living on land. Politically, they gained the same democratic rights as the Han residents of Jiazi. To this day, they still maintain some of their ancient customs, including fishing practices, daily routines, clothing, fishing songs, and marriage traditions, all of which are rich in cultural heritage and uniquely charming. Experiencing She ethnic culture while traveling offers visitors a chance to appreciate the admirable qualities of the She people through their vibrant and distinctive customs.

Jiazi Town: Jiazi Town is an ancient and early-developed town in eastern Guangdong. Originally called Jiazi Gate, it earned its name because the harbor features massive stone cliffs arranged like a gate, corresponding to the sixty earthly branches of the traditional Chinese calendar. Located in the southern part of Lufeng City, it faces Jiaodong Town across the Ying River to the east, borders Huilai County in Jieyang City to the north, connects to Jiaxi Town to the west, and lies along the South China Sea to the south. The town covers a total area of 18 square kilometers, with a population of 108,000, and administers 14 village (residential) committees. It is one of Lufeng’s larger fishing towns. In 2000, the town’s total industrial and agricultural output value reached 920 million yuan. Jiazi Town has higher terrain in the northwest and lower in the southeast, characterized by hills… More detailed information about Jiazi Town++