Rui Zhu Rock

　　Rui Zhu Rock is situated on Qishan Mountain in Wupu Village, Buwen. Qishan is also called Maqishan. As recorded in the Famous Mountains Record: “Qishan and Heming Mountain stand side by side, their two peaks rise majestically above the Longjiang River, stretching over ten li, with Wansong Ridge in between.” On the ridge stands Wansong Pass. The breathtaking beauty of this rock scenery was captured in the verse inscribed by Lu Wan, Minister of Personnel in the Ming Dynasty, and the Neo-Confucian scholar Cai Lie during their visit: “Outside Wansong Pass lies Rui Zhu Rock, where peaks stand tall in layered splendor. When I chance to rest on the rocks and gaze southward, I see sails hanging far off on the river.”

　　Rui Zhu Rock was established by the monk Chuxi during the Five Dynasties period. It got its name because when Chuxi cut through bamboo to channel spring water, withered bamboo unexpectedly sprouted shoots.

　　Originally, there was a temple built on the rock, along with stone caves, stone inscriptions, clear springs, and two iron trees planted during the Tang and Song dynasties. There is also a stone meditation bed on the mountain, said to be the spot where Chuxi entered deep meditation. Throughout history, figures such as Lin? and Chen Tianding from the Ming Dynasty studied here. Lin? built “Jieshi YunNest,” an octagonal pavilion; Chen Tianding carved a path through the mountain with a secluded entrance. On the overhanging cliffs are engraved the four large characters “Hai Ri Jiang Chun” (Sunrise over Sea, Spring on River). Later, Chen Tianding served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Personnel and composed a couplet inscribed on the stone pillars of the main hall on the rock: “When the wind calms, the tide is just full; when the mountain is empty, the moon is directly overhead.” The Grand Secretary Lin? also inscribed a couplet on the stone pillars: “All rooted in wisdom flourish lushly; the highest good speaks silently yet spreads boundlessly.” Dai?, a Jinshi scholar of the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era (year of Ji Chou) and magistrate of Shouchangyuan County, wrote in his regulated poem “Visiting Rui Zhu Rock”: “Pine trees cluster in chaos, making the way seem lost; a hollow rock forms a natural gate.” In modern times, the art master Li Shutong (also known as Master Hongyi) stayed here when Xiamen fell to Japanese forces during the War of Resistance. In recent years, the site has been renovated and expanded, appearing even more magnificent and grand.