Jinzhu Peak

　　Jinzhu Peak stands gracefully by the shimmering waters of Jinzhu Reservoir, like a maiden fresh from her bath; the drifting mist adds an air of mystery to her presence. The area features high mountains and heavy fog, with a highly changeable climate. One moment the sun shines brightly, the next the area is shrouded in thick fog, then comes a light drizzle, followed by billowing clouds and radiant glows—it’s truly a place where “one mountain has four seasons, and ten zhang can bring different weathers.” The mountain’s colors are richly varied: in spring and summer, azaleas blaze like fire, pear blossoms fall like snow, and delicate orchids send forth their fragrance; in autumn and winter, wild chrysanthemums offer golden hues, osmanthus blooms shine silver-bright, and frost-covered branches glisten like jade. Though the mountain’s colors shift with the seasons, its year-round base tone remains lush and emerald green, with distinct layers: at the foot of the mountain, pines and firs block out the sun, filling the view with deep greens; midway up, tea plantations ribbon the slopes, presenting tender greens; and at the summit, nanmu bamboo sways in the wind, creating a tide of verdant green.

　　Amidst the sea of green on the mountain, several bamboo-fenced cottages are tucked away. A winding, clean mountain path, like a flowing ribbon, connects them all. Though the winding trail takes about half an hour to walk, voices can be clearly heard from across the hills.

　　Among the four seasons, mid-spring is the most beautiful and bustling time at Jinzhu. Hundreds of acres of tea terraces wrap around Jinzhu Peak like layers of emerald spirals. At dawn, girls and women dressed in colorful clothes, carrying baskets and sacks, cheerfully climb the tea-covered hills, stepping on dewdrops and merging into this sea of green as tender tea leaves are picked skillfully and dropped into their sacks.

　　Jinzhu tea boasts visible white pekoe, elegant twisted leaves, a refreshing taste, a long-lasting and fragrant aroma, uniform leaf bottoms, bright green liquor, and a unique orchid-like floral note. Historical records indicate that Jinzhu tea has a history of over two thousand years. During the Song Dynasty, Jinzhu’s “White Hair Tip” tea was listed as a tribute, served to nobles and aristocrats in the imperial court. In 1991, the “Peiyun” brand “Jinzhu Yunfeng” tea was named a “China Cultural Famous Tea” at the Hangzhou International Tea Culture Festival. It received provincial and ministerial excellence awards in 1992, a silver award at China’s First Agricultural Expo in 1994, and a gold award at the Second Agricultural Expo in 1995... Today, Jinzhu tea is famous throughout the capital and renowned overseas. It is often said that Jinzhu is known for its scenery, its tea, and its temple—and this is no exaggeration. The Yunfeng Temple of Jinzhu indeed has a legendary past.

　　Yunfeng Temple stands atop Jinzhu Peak. Below the temple, the pine trees rustle in the wind and the green bamboos sway gently; beside the temple, tea terraces ribbon the landscape, and the surroundings are a sea of green. Standing outside the temple, one can take in the sweeping mountain and water views spanning dozens of miles along the Hubei-Jiangxi border, evoking the feeling of “reaching the summit and looking down upon all the other peaks.”

　　Jinzhu Peak features towering, elegant peaks that are perennially shrouded in clouds and mist, which is likely how the temple got its name. However, there are many legends about the origins of the temple. Here is one of them:

　　In the late Ming Dynasty, three young ladies—Mao, Ye, and He—from official families in Changsha, Hunan, fled their arranged marriages and escaped to the Hubei-Jiangxi border area. Seeing the continuous mountain ranges and beautiful scenery, each claimed a peak—Jinzhu Peak, Fushan, and Gaquan Mountain—where they built huts and became nuns. Mao settled on Jinzhu Peak, becoming a nun who planted tea, gathered herbs, studied traditional medicine, and healed the sick. After Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty took control of the Central Plains, the Empress Dowager suddenly fell gravely ill and no treatment worked. A reward was offered to the public. Mao descended the mountain and went to the capital, curing the illness with her medicine. Overjoyed, Emperor Shunzhi wished to keep her in the palace and offered her countless treasures. However, Mao refused all material rewards and left as quietly as she had come. Deeply moved by her virtue, Emperor Shunzhi bestowed upon her a plaque with twin dragons, honored her as the “Holy Mother of Yunfeng Peak,” and allocated funds specifically to build a temple, which is why it was named Yunfeng Temple.

　　The original Yunfeng Temple was destroyed in multiple wars, leaving only broken walls and ruins. The current Yunfeng Temple was rebuilt in 1992 by local residents who carried stones up the mountain on the original site. Though it may not be as resplendent as in its former glory, it still possesses a simple and dignified charm.