Ancient Charm of Fushui

　　The Fushui Scenic Area, centered around the Fushui Reservoir, is situated in the southwestern part of Yangxin County, 34 kilometers from downtown Yangxin. It lies on Yangxin’s golden tourism route — halfway between the Longgang Revolutionary Base Site, a key cultural relic protection unit under the State Council, and Xian Dao Lake, a provincial-level scenic area. Five hundred li of green mountains stretch from the west; three hundred li of the Fushui River flow eastward; eight myriad mu (approximately 5,300 hectares) of the reservoir stretch out with misty waters; two thousand li of national highway wind their way southward — all forming a majestic and picturesque landscape. The Fushui Reservoir is the second largest in Hubei Province, covering a water surface of over 80,000 mu, with a total storage capacity of 1.764 billion cubic meters. The dam is 941 meters long and 65 meters high, standing majestically. At the northern end of the dam stands the Fushui Power Plant, generating an average of 140 million kWh per year. At the southern end is the flood discharge sluice gate, equipped with eight 9×12-meter steel radial gates. Inside the dam, the waters are serene and emerald-green, with peaks and verdant hills reflected in the water alongside the shadows of boats, resembling an ink-wash landscape painting. Outside the dam lie vast fields and crisscrossing roads, while the Fushui River glimmers like a silver ribbon winding its way through the land. The area not only boasts stunning scenery and fresh air but also enjoys a pleasant climate that is warm in winter and cool in summer.

　　Within the Fushui Reservoir once stood an ancient and bustling town — Yangxin Town. With streets stretching ten li and merchants gathering in great numbers, the town was thriving. For over 300 years, from the Three Kingdoms period to the Sui Dynasty, it served as the seat of government (i.e., the county town) for both Yangxin County and Fuchuan County. In the late Sui Dynasty, the county seat was moved eastward to what is now Xingguo Town, and the town was renamed Yangxin. In ancient times, many notable figures such as Zhong You, Tao Yuanming, Meng Jia, and Wang Zhi visited or lived in seclusion here, leaving behind numerous anecdotes and legends. The scenic area contains historic sites and attractions such as Fengqi Cave, Zhong You’s Ink-Washing Pool, Meng Jia’s Tomb, Wang Zhi’s Tomb, Wangfu Mountain, a Ming Dynasty memorial archway, and ancient Ming Dynasty tombs, all of which are open for visitors to explore.