Zhenjiang Three Mountains (Jinshan · Jiaoshan · Beigu Mountain) Scenic Area

Zhenjiang Three Mountains (Jinshan · Jiaoshan · Beigu Mountain) Scenic Area

The Zhenjiang Three Mountains (Jinshan · Jiaoshan · Beigu Mountain) Scenic Area is a national scenic spot and a AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

Zhenjiang is located on the south bank of the Yangtze River in central Jiangsu Province. It is a historic ancient city in the Jiangnan region, boasting numerous scenic spots and magnificent natural landscapes. Among the most famous are the "Three Mountains of Jingkou" (also known as: Zhenjiang Three Mountains): Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigu Mountain.

Jinshan was originally a small island in the river but is now a solitary mountain standing by the water. Jinshan Temple was first built during the Jin Dynasty. Its architectural style is unique — the temple is built along the mountain, with halls and chambers connected in succession, and pavilions and towers layered one above the other. From a distance, only the temples and halls are visible, while the mountain rocks are hidden, hence the saying “Jinshan Temple wraps around the mountain.”

There are numerous scenic spots and historical sites on Jinshan, scattered everywhere. The exquisite and graceful Cishou Pagoda stands atop the northwest peak of Jinshan, reaching 30 meters in height. It complements the entire mountain and temple perfectly, as if lifting the mountain higher. The brick-and-wood structure pagoda has passageways on all eight sides at each level, with railings and ventilation. Each side offers a different view, with ever-changing scenery. As the Song Dynasty poet Wang Anshi wrote: “Multiple storeys of buildings rest upon layered heights; walls open windows on all sides to catch the breeze. Suddenly seeing birds fly across flat land, you realize you're halfway up in the skies.” Other attractions such as the Lengjia Terrace, Miaogaotai, Guanyin Pavilion, Fahai Cave, Ancient Immortal Cave, and Ancient White Dragon Cave were all carved into the rocks along the mountainside, showcasing ingenious design and amazing the viewer with the wisdom and artistry of their creators. The Qing Dynasty poet and painter Zhang Chuanshan wrote in his poem "Crossing the River on the Sixteenth Day in Snow": “An old friend sends an invitation nearby; a boat crosses the river, the journey not far. Fine wine secretly melts the snow of Jingkou; large sails press flat against the tide at Haimen. The lanterns of Yangzhou can't rival the moon; the songs of Wu remain just this flute’s call. Who cares about storms across thousands of miles? Two lotuses are the golden and the rugged Jiao.” Here, he compares Jinshan to a beautiful lotus.

Jiaoshan is situated in the middle of the Yangtze River. The main structure on Jiaoshan is Dinghui Temple. Lush trees cover Jiaoshan, and the temple buildings are hidden among the dense woods, which is why there's a saying “Jiaoshan hides the temple within the mountain.” There are many precious stone inscriptions, with over 260 embedded in the walls of Baomo Pavilion alone. The calligraphy styles on the Jiaoshan Stele Forest include regular script, cursive, seal, and official scripts — treasures as numerous as a forest. Hence, Jiaoshan is known as the “Mountain of Calligraphy.”

Jiaoshan is home to four treasured antiquities. The ancient temple (Dinghui Temple) is a Ming Dynasty structure, with its main buildings featuring green tiles and red railings, exuding an air of classic elegance. The ancient trees (including cypresses from the Six Dynasties, scholar trees from the Song Dynasty, and ginkgoes from the Ming Dynasty) mostly have twisted and ancient forms, scattered along the mountainsides, by the waters, in front of the temples, and behind the halls, adding a serene, lush, and verdant charm to the mountain and temple, making it perfect for visitors to rest. In addition, there are also ancient stone inscriptions and cliff engravings that are famous worldwide.

The Finest Scenery Under Heaven — Beigu Mountain. Located northeast of Zhenjiang, the mountain has three peaks, with the northern peak surrounded by the river on three sides. Its steep cliffs and majestic presence give it the name Beigu (Northern Solid). Emperor Wu of Liang once visited this mountain and inscribed the six characters “Finest Scenery Under Heaven.” Gazing into the distance from here, one can truly appreciate the aptness of the ancient verse: “Jinshan and Jiaoshan seem small, while the river divides the lands of Wu and Chu.” Beigu Mountain is famed for its steepness and has been celebrated through the ages due to stories from the Three Kingdoms period. Its main peak borders the great river, with precipitous terrain. The Ganlu Temple sits atop the peak, creating the distinctive feature of “the temple crowning the mountain.” The pavilions, terraces, mountain rocks, and streams here are all tied to historical legends from the Three Kingdoms, such as the marriage alliance between Sun Quan and Liu Bei, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking traces of that era.

Zhenjiang boasts extremely rich tourism resources. The famous Jinshan, Jiaoshan, and Beigu Mountain stand majestically along the river, presenting a spectacular and breathtaking landscape, like a grand scroll painting of mountains and rivers. Whether ascending to the summits of Jinshan, Jiaoshan, or Beigu Mountain, the mighty rush of the great river flowing eastward evokes a sense of openness, and inspires awe at nature’s masterful craftsmanship, echoing the sentiment of “waves wash away all the heroic figures of past dynasties.”

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas