Jiangshan Fugai Mountain

　　Fugai Mountain, also known as Wugai Mountain or Gaixian Mountain, is a national AAAA-level scenic area. It is located 9 kilometers south of Nianbadu. It lies at the junction of the Xianxia Ridge and Wuyi Mountain ranges, straddling two provinces. The main peak stands at an elevation of 1,250 meters, spans over 30 square kilometers, and covers an area of 590 hectares.

　　The main peak of Fugai Mountain is entirely composed of granite, with layers of stacked rocks forming cliffs dozens of meters high. The mountain features a majestic terrain with grotesque rocks resembling multi-storied pavilions. Some rocks pile up into peaks, while others jut out like towering pillars. Some resemble dragons or snakes, others spirits or ghosts, and still others birds or beasts, displaying a myriad of forms. Among the massive rocks, some are clustered in threes and fives, others balanced with one rock capping two, often featuring stone crevices and long, primitive stone caves. These caves connect with each other, twisting and turning in a labyrinthine fashion, like an underground maze or a journey through the belly of a serpent.

　　In July of the third year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty (1630), Xu Hongzu lingered in the mountain for three days. In his work The Travel Diaries of Xu Xiake, he wrote: “Another ten li, and we dined in Nianbadu. To the southeast of this place lies Fugai Mountain, spanning the borders of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi provinces, and the territories of Qu, Chu, Xin, and Ning prefectures. It stands majestically between Xianxia and Li Ridges, towering above all other peaks. Feng Ridge lies to its west, Bi Ridge to its east, and Li Ridge serves as its southern screen. Grotesque rocks reach into the clouds, and flying splashes of rosy clouds carve jade-like greenery. Whenever I pass by Xiaogan (Ridge) and cross Li Ridge to the north, catching a distant glimpse of its splendor, I am always filled with awe. After dining, my enthusiasm could not be contained, so I set off promptly!”

　　Fugai Mountain boasts attractions such as the Immortal Altar, Ploughing-the-Sky Rock, Green Lion Peak, Chessboard Rock, White Flower Rock, Winter Melon Rock, Triple-Tiered Rock, and Stone Dragon Cave. Legend has it that there were once 36 large and small temples and monasteries here. A poem by Qing dynasty’s Wang ?@ titled Gazing at Fugai Mountain reads: “Where are the 36 temples now? I wish to seek the old pheasant feathers of Liangshan.” Today, surviving temples such as Ditie Temple, Lishan Temple, Dayun Temple, and Baohua Temple still enjoy bustling incense offerings.