Shenzhen Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area

Shenzhen Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area

The Phoenix Mountain Historical and Cultural Tourism Area is located at the eastern foot of Da Mao Mountain in Fuyong Subdistrict, boasting rich historical and cultural resources such as the legacy of Wen Tianxiang, Fengyan Ancient Temple, Dragon King Ancient Temple, and the ancient Phoenix Village.

The main peak, Phoenix Mountain, is a low mountain range on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Estuary, part of the Lotus Mountain Range along the eastern Guangdong coast, and is hailed as "the No. 1 Mountain of Bao’an." The mountain range runs from north to south, while the mountain body stretches northeast to southwest, spanning areas including Shayuan, Gongming, Fuyong, and Xixiang from north to south. Its main body lies within Xixiang and Fuyong, featuring a crescent-shaped mountain ridge axis. The highest peak is Da Mao Mountain, which marks the boundary between Fuyong and Xixiang, with an elevation of 376 meters.

During the Qing Dynasty, Phoenix Mountain was listed as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Xin’an. According to the Xin’an County Annals from the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty: “Phoenix Rock, located north of Mao Mountain, features towering boulders; it spans several zhang in width, with a cavern as clear as a hall or room. Legend has it that a phoenix once perched inside, hence the name.”

Phoenix Mountain has a very strong cultural atmosphere. The ancient Phoenix Village at the foot of the mountain is the ancestral and residential home of the descendants of Wen Tianxiang’s clan, originally built during the Dade period at the turn of the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, and is listed as one of the six key ancient villages in the Shenzhen Purple Line Plan.

According to the Xin’an County Annals from the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty: “Phoenix Rock, located north of Mao Mountain, features towering boulders; it spans several zhang in width, with a cavern as clear as a hall or room. Legend has it that a phoenix once perched inside, hence the name.”

The most important culture of Phoenix Mountain is the “Blessing Culture,” which was inherited and promoted through the worship of Wen Tianxiang during the late Yuan and early Ming periods. Fengyan Ancient Temple is a very significant place for praying for blessings in Shenzhen. Due to the unique blessing culture of Phoenix Mountain, it is referred to as “the land where phoenixes, mountains, blessings, and waters abound.”

Fengyan Ancient Temple was first built during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties (Dade period), standing halfway up Phoenix Mountain, nestled against the mountain and near the sea. With its grand halls, incense-filled air, and the continuous sound of morning bells and evening drums, it has become one of the important Buddhist cultural centers in Shenzhen and the surrounding regions.

This ancient temple was built by Wen Yinglin, the great-grandson of Wen Tianxiang, in memory of his ancestor. It is said that when Wen Yinglin came here, it was a time of famine. To better understand the disaster situation, he built a watchtower on the summit of Da Mao Mountain. Whenever he saw a village without smoke rising from cooking fires, he would immediately send people to provide relief. One day, while inspecting the disaster, Wen Yinglin arrived at Fengyan and noticed the uniquely shaped terrain, the majestic ridges, and the strikingly diverse rocks. He decided to build a temple there to commemorate his great-grandfather Wen Tianxiang. That very night, he also had a dream in which the Goddess Guanyin instructed him to build “Fengyan Ancient Temple” at Fengyan.

Thus, he raised funds to construct the temple, both to enshrine the Goddess Guanyin and to commemorate Wen Tianxiang. For this reason, residents and visitors from near and far have loved coming here to offer incense and pray for blessings, and the incense in the temple has remained continuously popular. The temple houses a memorial hall for Wen Tianxiang and the Yinglin Pavilion to honor the esteemed ancestors of the Wen family.

During the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Xiaozong, Zheng Shizhong, a descendant of Wen Tianxiang’s righteous army soldiers, passed the imperial examination and later came to Fengyan Ancient Temple. Grateful for the blessings of the Goddess Guanyin, Zheng Shizhong carved a large stone tablet inscribed with “The Pure Bottle Pours Sweet Dew” on the right side of Fengyan Ancient Temple as a memento. This stone tablet remains intact to this day.

Bell Tower

Wishing Corridor

Wishing Corridor

Sea-Viewing Pavilion

The “Sacred Water Jade Spring” is built along the stone stairway path, beside the Mid-Mountain Pavilion. Legend has it that when visitors climb the mountain and reach this spot, they are often parched with thirst. In response, the Goddess Guanyin transformed a hidden stream into a cloud spring beside the Mid-Mountain Pavilion, so that travelers could quench their thirst and rest while enjoying the spring water.

The Phoenix Mountain Stone Carving Group is located within Fengyan Ancient Temple in the Phoenix Mountain Forest Park, Phoenix Village, Fuyong Subdistrict, Bao’an District, Shenzhen. It is the only existing cliff stone carving group in Bao’an District, featuring rich content, exquisite carving artistry, and distinct regional characteristics.

Phoenix Mountain Stone Carving Group

Longevity Immortal Well

Warbler Stone Nodding

Address: Phoenix Village, Fuyong Town, Bao’an District, Shenzhen

Type: Forested Mountain

Recommended Visiting Time: 4–5 hours

Opening Hours: 6:00–22:30 (Mountain closed at 18:00 in winter, 18:30 in summer; park and surrounding plaza close at 22:30)

Ticket Information: Free admission.

Phoenix Community: Covering a total area of 9.80 square kilometers, the Phoenix Community includes 4.5 square kilometers of developable construction land and 5.3 square kilometers within the basic ecological control line, mainly consisting of Phoenix Mountain Forest Park, Wushan Reservoir, and Qili Reservoir. Within the ecological control zone, there are 2.07 hectares of basic farmland. Phoenix Community is currently the largest community in Fuyong Subdistrict, comprising 18 resident groups. As of the end of 2014, the community had a permanent registered population of 2,100, predominantly surnamed Wen—descendants of the nephew of Wen Tianxiang, the Southern Song national hero and patriotic poet. There are also... More details about Phoenix Community++