Miaodao Mountain

　　Miaodao Mountain National Forest Park was established in September 1992 with approval from the former Ministry of Forestry. The park is situated in the hinterlands of the Dabie Mountains, within Yuexi County, about 40 kilometers from the county seat. The scenic area covers nearly 3,000 hectares, with a forest coverage rate as high as 98%. Miaodao Mountain features typical mid-mountain terrain, resembling two lions embracing each other, with its main peak, Juyun Peak, rising 1,465 meters above sea level.

　　The entire scenic area enjoys distinct four seasons, with a mild, cool, and moist climate. The average annual temperature is 14.2°C, and the highest summer temperature reaches only 24°C, making it a rare summer retreat in East China. Miaodao Mountain is currently divided into four major scenic zones: Zushi Jian, Ziliu Garden, Nanxi Yuan, and Juyun Peak, featuring over 110 developed attractions. The area boasts miraculous natural landscapes and a long-standing cultural heritage, renowned for its “majestic mountains, beautiful waters, serene valleys, and unique pines.”

　　The Juyun Peak Scenic Area features a variety of oddly shaped pines and rocks. You can climb the towering Lion Howling at the Moon rock formation to admire the majestic, rugged, steep, and precipitous mountain scenery of Miaodao Mountain. On the hillside, there’s the “Jade Rabbit Gazing at the Moon.” Legend has it that a jade rabbit from the moon palace fell in love with the mortal world, descended without permission, but missed its return to heaven. It now sits on this hillside year-round, yearning for its days in the lunar palace, lost in sorrow. In front of it lies the Coiled Dragon Cave, formed by nine massive rocks stacked together. Legend says it’s where a giant dragon once dwelled. Crawling through the crevices into the cave, you’ll find a winding and deep passage that feels eerie and mysterious. At the cave’s ceiling hangs an ancient pine tree, resembling a crane stretching its neck and spreading its wings, hence named “Crane Soaring Pine.”

　　Walking along a gentle path for about one kilometer, you’ll reach the foot of the main peak. The “Lion Howling at the Moon” comes into full view—its lofty head, strong forelimbs, and majestic back, under the bright moonlight, resemble a giant lion bowing and roaring at the moon. The late Qing Dynasty poet Wang Xiaoxuan praised this magnificent sight with a poem: “Even the stone ox’s tracks are wondrous, but this lion’s form and sound are even more striking. When the wind blows and the moon shines on the fifteenth night, it startles even the old monk into throwing on his robe.” Further ahead lies a large rock called “Gauze Hat Rock,” approximately 10 meters long and about 8 meters wide and high, closely resembling the black gauze hat worn by officials in classical dramas. Legend has it that since the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle era, officials and nobles have ridden horses or sat in sedan chairs to burn incense and worship here, praying for promotions, which were said to be granted as wished. From here, steps lead up to Tianmen Platform, with ever-changing scenery along the way that is truly breathtaking.

　　About 50 meters uphill from Tianmen Platform and the “Brotherhood Pine” is the Buddha-Worshiping Platform, the highest point accessible to visitors, at an elevation of 1,460 meters. Standing here, the steep main peak is just within reach, yet still unclimbable, remaining unconquered to this day. Looking ahead, you’ll see the “Natural Stone Buddha.” With a round forehead, gently closed eyes, a straight nose bridge, a full chin, and an elegant neck, it presents the kind and benevolent face of a prosperous deity.

　　Occasionally, after rain clears, a seven-colored rainbow may appear, hovering over the Buddha’s head—that’s the magical Buddha’s Light, an auspicious sign of the stone Buddha’s manifestation. In the past, anyone who saw the Buddha’s Light would immediately bow in reverence, as it was extremely rare, believed to be visible only to those with fate, hence the name “Buddha-Worshiping Platform.” From here, you can gaze in all directions: Tianzhu Mountain to the southeast, Sikong Mountain to the west, Mingtang Mountain to the north, and countless peaks and valleys, all coming into view, stirring a sense of grandeur.

　　Zushi Jian Scenic Area: As the saying goes, “Famous mountains are often opened up by monks,” and Miaodao Mountain is no exception. Historical records indicate that during the late Tang Dynasty, a high monk named Yixuan (867–?), lay name Xia, came from West Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang (now Lin’an District) to Miaodao Mountain to practice Buddhism, preach sutras, and build huts. He was revered as the Patriarch of Linji, and the Southern School of the Linji Sect he founded continues to thrive, even spreading overseas. Due to his profound Buddhist skills and generosity, his disciples and followers held him in high esteem, praising his practices as “Marvelous Light and Virtuous Path,” hence the mountain was named “Miaodao Mountain.” Later generations named the peak behind it “Zushi Jian” (Patriarch’s Peak) and the stone chamber where he meditated halfway up the mountain “Zushi Cave” (Patriarch’s Cave).

　　The Jinbi Temple was first built in the early Northern Song Dynasty. Through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, it endured many changes and was destroyed in a fire in 1941. During the Song Dynasty, the temple covered over 20 acres, with halls over three zhang (approximately 10 meters) tall, divided into front, middle, and rear sections. Inside were statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, Eighteen Arhats, Twenty-Four Devas, Sakyamuni, Guanyin, and the Patriarch Yixuan, all colorfully adorned and lifelike. Hanging high in the main hall was an imperial plaque inscribed by Emperor Renzong, featuring the four golden characters “Jinbi Chanlin” (Golden Wall Buddhist Grove). At its peak, the temple housed 800 monks, filled year-round with incense smoke, the sounds of evening drums and morning bells, and a constant stream of worshippers.

　　Today, remnants such as stone Buddha statues, stone bathtubs, stone benches, stone drums, stone steps, stone pillars, stone pagodas, stone coffins, and stone carvings hint at the temple’s former grandeur. Legend says there was an extensive underground palace southeast of the temple complex, used by monks to hide treasures, scriptures, and take refuge. Within the palace was a treasure resembling a three-legged cauldron, about two meters square, containing fuel for an eternal flame that never extinguished, known as the “Stone Heavenly Lamp,” or “Ten-Thousand-Year Lamp” in folklore. Originally, a seven-story pagoda stood above ground with a hidden passage leading to the palace, its mechanisms known only to insiders.

　　 To the east of the temple’s foundation, a hillside planted with lush pines and firs offers a verdant view. The “Listening to Waves Pavilion” built among the mountains is a great spot to enjoy the rustling of pine trees. When the mountain wind blows, the pines create sounds ranging from soft whispers to loud roars, like heavenly music, refreshing the mind and lifting the spirit. Further ahead stands a stone pagoda called “Dragon-Suppressing Pagoda.” According to ancient feng shui principles, this hillside, located to the left of Jinbi Temple, is called the “Azure Dragon Hill.” To prevent the dragon from causing trouble, the pagoda was erected to suppress it. Beside the pagoda lies a stone coffin called “Flying Jade Casket,” about one meter long and one foot wide and high, with a solemn appearance and delicate carvings. The front bears the character “卍” (pronounced “wan,” symbolizing good fortune), and the back features lotus flowers, while the lid is engraved with cloud patterns. Judging by the stone’s quality, it’s certainly not local, hence it’s considered to have “flown” here.

　　 Behind Jinbi Temple, passing through the Zushi Gate and ascending the stone steps, you can directly climb Zushi Jian, enjoying sights such as Peacock Stone, Linji Pagoda, and Zushi Cave along the way. The Linji Pagoda, 3.5 meters tall and six-sided with three layers, features lotus leaf patterns on each side, with carved lotus petals serving as pedestals. Since the lotus “emerges unstained from the mud,” symbolizing purity, this pagoda was built to commemorate the patriarch’s virtues.

　　The Zushi Cave, located halfway up the mountain, is recorded in the Qianshan County Annals as the place where Patriarch Yixuan resided and practiced when he first arrived. Beside the cave is a small well from which the patriarch drew water. The spring seeps through a rock fissure as thin as a thread, originally clear and transparent, but turns crimson upon touching the stone walls, as if drops of rouge are falling from the cracks, hence called “Stone-Dripping Immortal Fat,” one of Miaodao Mountain’s scenic spots. Zushi Jian is the second highest peak of Miaodao Mountain, at 1,432 meters, surrounded by peaks and shrouded in mist, resembling a veil, with roads like graceful jade ribbons draped casually around the mountainside, forming a naturally beautiful landscape.

　　Nanxi Yuan is the largest scenic area of Miaodao Mountain, stretching about 5 kilometers. With its beautiful forest scenery, emerald pools, and stunning water features, it resembles an endless ink-wash landscape painting, earning it the reputation of the “Ten-Li Gallery.” Nanxi Yuan is divided into upper, middle, and lower sections, with the currently developed upper section extending from Miaodao Mountain Villa to Xiangfei Pool, about 1 kilometer long.

　　Nanxi Yuan is characterized by its surrounding mountains and flowing waters, with waterfalls and springs adding unique charm. “Silver Cascade” is the first water feature in Nanxi Yuan, with a drop of about 30 meters. Silvery mountain spring water pours down from a height, scattering like light silk, drifting into a deep pool. The outlet is shaded by green trees and surrounded by flowers, making the waterfall exceptionally vibrant. “Nine-Turn Flying Emerald” is a 58-meter-high waterfall where water cascades down in layers, sometimes converging, sometimes separating, twisting and turning gracefully. Countless tiny droplets splash without soaking clothes, silently nourishing everything, like a drizzle in clear skies, quite amusing. “River-Center Waterfall” features water streaming down from the cliff top, suddenly splitting into three white ribbons, forming a giant “川” (river) character, hence its name.

　　Downstream from River-Center Waterfall lies Xiangfei Valley, named after the fourth prince of Emperor Renzong of Song and the talented beauty Xiangfei, who once lived in seclusion here. It lies to the north of the main peak and connects to Xiakou downstream, stretching 4.5 kilometers deep, with steep mountainsides, towering ancient trees, and gnarled vines, exuding a primal atmosphere.

　　Xiangfei Valley is a paradise for plants, rich in species. For example, the tall, red-trunked and green-leaved Xiangguo Tree, a second-class protected plant in China, grows here in such dense clusters, which is extremely rare nationwide. The middle and lower sections of Nanxi Yuan feature mostly deep pools and waterfalls, known as the “Nine Waterfalls and Thirteen Pools,” with famous ones including Jade Cup Pool, Zhenyin Pool, Flying Dragon Waterfall, and Sun-Moon Waterfall.

　　The Ziliu Garden Scenic Area includes popular spots such as the Forest Bathing Ground, Qisong Valley, Moon-Reflecting Tianchi, Ziliu Garden, and Natural Stone Mirror. Qisong Valley is an excellent viewing spot. From the Pine-Viewing Platform, you can admire Miaodao Mountain’s magnificent forest landscape. Towering and ancient Huangshan pines are scattered among the woods or stand atop cliffs, some straight as flagpoles, others twisted like dragons, with branches like iron bones and crowns like canopies, all showcasing nature’s wondrous craftsmanship. Moreover, with the changing seasons, the scenery varies: “In spring, mountain flowers bloom in vibrant colors; in summer, dense shade covers the peaks; in autumn, forests turn into a riot of colors; in winter, snow weighs down the pines, dressing them in silver.”

　　The Millennium Ziliu Garden is a high-altitude wetland, averaging 1,080 meters in elevation, home to over 1,300 Ziliu trees, with the oldest over a thousand years old. Boasting these three “thousands” (a thousand-year-old wetland growing a thousand ancient Ziliu trees), it’s hailed by China’s tourism industry as a “Unique Wonder of China” and is one of Miaodao Mountain’s highlights. This wetland, with its unique microclimate, nurtures Ziliu and other species, forming a complete high-altitude wetland ecosystem.

　　The Ziliu trees here belong to the Salix genus of the Salicaceae family, a moisture-tolerant deciduous tree. Measurements show the oldest tree is 1,280 years old, truly a venerable ancient tree. This rare “living fossil” resource attracts numerous scientists each year for research due to its unique scientific value. The millennium-old Ziliu trees, infused with the essence of heaven and earth and witness to the vicissitudes of time, mostly grow twisted and gnarled, ancient and majestic, each a natural bonsai, and the entire Ziliu grove is like a grand natural bonsai garden. With unique formations like “Li Bai Drunk,” “Four Generations Under One Roof,” and “Snowy Ziliu Garden,” each tree is different, offering endless fascination.