Flying Spring Cave Cliff Inscriptions

Flying Spring Cave Cliff Inscriptions

The Flying Spring Cave Cliff Inscriptions are a protected cultural heritage site of Guangzhou City.

The Flying Spring Cave Cliff Inscriptions are located on the cliff face of Hupangpu Natural Village, Huiguang Village, Zengjiang Subdistrict, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City (local name: Shizhai). To the south of the cliff is a stream where water flows down from a height and murmurs into a pool, resembling clear spring water pouring into a cup. This scenic view is also known as “Flowing Cup in Winding Waters.” As early as the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, it was celebrated as one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Zengjiang.” By the pool lies the cliff face, on which ten extant stone inscriptions remain, divided into northern and southern sections centered around the stream—three on the north cliff and seven on the south cliff, each forming its own composition. Among the dated inscriptions, the earliest dates back to the fourth year of the Xining reign during the Northern Song Dynasty (1071), and the latest to the forty-sixth year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1781). In between, there are also inscriptions from the fourth year of the Qiandao reign of the Southern Song Dynasty (1168), the third year of the Tianshun reign of the Ming Dynasty (1459), the sixteenth year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty (1521), and the fortieth year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1612), spanning a total of five dynasties over 710 years. The inscriptions feature a variety of scripts, including regular script, running script, cursive-running script, and clerical script. The genres include seven-character poems, five-character poems, and prose verses. The subjects cover landscape description, friendship gatherings, travel records, historical reflection, and personal expression. In July 2002, they were designated as a protected cultural heritage site of Guangzhou City.

Legend has it that the nearby hills behind the location of the Flying Spring Cave Cliff Inscriptions were where Ge Hong (also known as the Immortal Ge) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty gathered herbs and refined elixirs. Later generations built shrines and pavilions in his memory, making it an ideal place for literati to express their emotions through nature. Historical records such as the Jiajing-era "Zengcheng County Annals" of the Ming Dynasty, the "New Tales of Guangdong" by Qu Dajun of the Qing Dynasty, and the Republican-era "Zengcheng County Annals" all corroborate this. The Jiajing-era "Zengcheng County Annals" states: “Through the ages, the Immortal Ge refined elixirs here. The mountain features remaining stones and traces of two immortals, Zhanglao Rock, and Drunken Sleep Stone, all engraved on the cliffs. The cliffs are steep, and a stream cascades directly down from the mountaintop. The rushing water forms a pool, within which lies a stone basin surrounded by flat rocks suitable for sitting. On the southern side of the mountain, a stream pool lies by the cliff, with water murmuring down from above, resembling clear spring water gently filling a cup—hence the name.” The Qing Dynasty's "New Tales of Guangdong" by Qu Dajun describes: “There are two Flowing Cup streams; one is at Zhanglao Rock in Zengcheng. Stone slabs are laid diagonally for over ten zhang, with water flowing through various rocks in twists and turns, meandering a hundred times. Visitors often block the flow downstream with small stones to gather momentum, then sit facing each other by the stream, placing cups of wine upstream to let them float downstream and drinking them wherever they stop. However, some may not get a drink, some may drink twice, some cups may change direction midstream, and others may flow downstream before suddenly swirling back upstream—thus creating a noisy competition for drinks, accompanied by laughter…” The Republican-era "Zengcheng County Annals" also records: “During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Ge Hong (the Immortal Ge) came here to gather herbs and refine elixirs, and later generations built shrines and pavilions in his memory. Since then, more honorable individuals have visited to pay homage, worship at the Immortal Ge Shrine, view the herb-grinding stones, and drink from the Flowing Cup stream.” The Ming Dynasty poet Liu Yunchang also wrote a poem about it:

Zengcheng has strange rocks, their shapes resembling Tiger Hill.

They can seat a thousand people, and many are craggy and secluded.

The winding cave is naturally formed, some say shaped by supernatural craft.

Look up to see a waterfall thousands of feet high, its rapids turning into calm flow.

The locals are not fond of trouble, seldom visiting throughout the year.

I traveled here in late spring, when the breeze and sunlight were mild and soft.

I was joined by a few companions, noble souls akin to those of Gaoyang.

We took off our shoes and sat by the winding stream, tossing cups freely into the water.

Just as we were about to leave, we went back; cups that seemed to sink would float again.

They lingered as if approaching people, as if waiting for friends to stay.

Onlookers all applauded, but I hesitated, unsure.

Sighing, I walked down the mountain, driving sheep and cattle across the empty slope.

The Flying Spring Cave Cliff Inscriptions are among the earliest surviving cliff inscriptions in Guangzhou, having endured for nearly a thousand years in largely intact condition. They hold significant cultural, literary, artistic, as well as historical, geographical, scientific, social, and cultural value.

Protected area: 5 meters beyond the outer edge of the cliff inscriptions.

Construction control zone: approximately 30 meters beyond the outer edge of the protected area.

Source: Cultural Station of Zengjiang Subdistrict Office, Zengcheng District

Huiguang Village: Huiguang Village is located in the eastern part of Zengcheng urban area, along both sides of Zengzheng Highway in Zengjiang Subdistrict, about 3.00 kilometers from the seat of the Zengjiang Subdistrict government, with convenient transportation. It borders Hupangpu to the east, the Stadium to the south, the Zengjiang River to the west, and Lianyi Village to the north. It administers four natural villages and 13 villager cooperatives: Gengliao Village, Shangfuluo Village, Xiapuluo Village, and Huiguang Village. There are currently 358 farming households, with a rural population of 1,586, including 1,568 agricultural residents. The village covers a total of 1,380 mu of arable land, 620 mu of fish ponds, 120 mu of mountain ponds, and 11,426 mu of forested land. The village enjoys a temperate climate, ... More details on Huiguang Village++

Further reading:

· Sixth Batch of Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Heritage Protection Units