Qiu Chi Mountain

　　Qiu Chi Mountain is situated 50 kilometers south of Xihe County, in the southern part of Daqiao Township, at an elevation of 1,793 meters with a relative height of 791 meters. The Xihan River flows around the mountain’s northern base from the northwest heading south, while the Luoyu River comes from the southeast along the foothills and joins the Xihan River to the west. The convergence of these two rivers at the mountain’s base creates a naturally fortified site surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains on the other. This is the birthplace of Fuxi, the legendary ancestor of Chinese civilization, the mythological site where Xing Tian was beheaded, the cradle of the Di people, and the homeland of the ancient Qiu Chi Kingdom. A total of 89 historical texts in China contain records about Qiu Chi Mountain.

　　The Commentary on the Water Classic describes Qiu Chi Mountain as: “Steep cliffs stand isolated, towering and lofty as if touching the clouds, resembling an upturned pot when viewed from afar. It rises over twenty li high, with winding paths like sheep intestines making thirty-six turns. The ‘Mountain Opening Chart’ refers to it as Qiu Yi, describing it as a place of jagged rocks piled high — a truly awe-inspiring sight. At its summit are layered peaks, and halfway up, clouds gather, hence it’s called so. The upper parts have… ancient tombs where Xing is buried, and the lower areas are frequented by poets.”

　　According to the Road History written by Luo Bi of the Song Dynasty, the fame of Qiu Chi Mountain dates back to the ancient times of five thousand years ago. The legendary ancestor of Chinese civilization, Fuxi, “was born in Qiu Yi (Qiu Chi), and grew up in Cheng Qi (Chengji).” The Han-era Mountain Opening Chart states: “Qiu Chi Mountain, standing isolated with four sheer sides, was the domain of the Great Thearch, and the birthplace of Fuxi.” Experts and scholars have verified that the Changyang Mountain, where the Di chieftain Xing Tian — a figure from the legends of the Yan Emperor — was said to be buried, is today’s Qiu Chi Mountain.

　　The fame of Qiu Chi Mountain is also closely tied to the ancient Qiu Chi Kingdom. In 296 AD, the Di chieftain Yang Maosou led four thousand Di households back to Qiu Chi Mountain and established the Qiu Chi Kingdom. He proclaimed himself General Who Supports the Nation and Righteous King. The Former Qiu Chi Kingdom “united the Di tribes under one realm,” resisted the Former Zhao, controlled the Later Shu, stood as a rival to the Three Kingdoms, and dominated a corner of the land. In 371 AD, the Former Qiu Chi Kingdom was destroyed by Fu Jian of the Former Qin. The Di leader Yang Ding fled to Longyou, gathered Di migrants from the Guanzhong region, returned to Qiu Chi, declared himself Dragon Soaring General and Duke of Qiu Chi, and founded the Later Qiu Chi Kingdom. In the spring of the 13th year of the Yuanjia era, the Di king Yang Nandang proclaimed himself the Great Qin King, changed the era name to Jiayi, appointed his wife as queen and his eldest son as crown prince, and established a full court of officials mirroring the imperial system. The territory of the Later Qiu Chi Kingdom expanded to include all of southern Gansu, Tianshui, southern Shaanxi, and northern Sichuan, eyeing Guanzhong to the north and plotting expansion into Sichuan to the south. In 442 AD, the Later Qiu Chi Kingdom was destroyed by the Liu Song regime of the Southern Dynasties. The Qiu Chi Kingdom successfully repelled multiple attacks from the Former Zhao, Later Zhao, Cheng Han, Former Qin, Western Qin, Later Qin, Xia, Eastern Jin, and Liu Song regimes, resisting 23 central regimes for several hundred years. The Zizhi Tongjian · Jin Annals and Book of Song · Di and Hu Biography document the rise and fall of the 358-year-old Qiu Chi Kingdom. Professor Li Zuhuan of Sichuan University wrote the Qiu Chi Kingdom Annals. In September 1981, the “Qiu Chi Kingdom Ruins” on Qiu Chi Mountain were listed as a provincial-level cultural heritage site.

　　Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu and Song Dynasty literary figure Su Dongpo both left behind poetic works that sing the praises of Qiu Chi Mountain.

　　Qiu Chi Mountain features deep valleys and competing beautiful peaks. The scenery on the mountain is marvelous, with famous sites including the Immortal Cliff of Fuxi, the Magical Stone Spoon Pool, the Golden Dragon Rolling Pearls, the Eight Immortals Wishing Longevity, the Ancient Cave of Ma Cliff, the Rootless Eastern Spring, the Divine Fish Springing from the Cave, and the Small Wonderland Cave. These eight major attractions form the unique beauty of Qiu Chi Mountain’s “Five Wonders”: peaks, springs, clouds, caves, and rocks. A local folk rhyme sings: “The first wonder is the Immortal Cliff of Fuxi, the Heavenly Emperor’s rolling dragon pearl. The eastern stone has no roots, the western stone holds a spoon; the middle cave hides the Small Wonderland. Four great bodhisattvas reside in the Cloud Palace, the Eight Immortals offer longevity on auspicious stones. Once you ascend Qiu Chi, a hundred acres of fields unfold before you, and the Fairy Ma’s Cave has stood for millennia.”

　　Qiu Chi Mountain also produces a type of stone known as Qiu Chi Stone. Later legends describe this stone as “coming from the sea’s jewel palace, its beauty as lush as emerald green. Within its undulating inches, it twists and turns with mountainous grace,” and “its serene glow arrives before the fifth watch of night, its cool aura pressing down even in the dog days.” Inkstones made from it are highly sought after by calligraphers as premium items. This stone is reddish-brown, delicately beautiful, elegantly shaped, and highly absorbent. Trees and plants can be grown on it, making it a high-end material for rockery and potted plant displays. The great Song Dynasty literary figure Su Shi obtained a piece of Qiu Chi Stone, “treasuring it as a relic of a bygone era.” He not only titled one of his works “Notes from Qiu Chi,” but also wrote the poem: “In dreams it feels right, on waking all seems wrong; I’m obsessed with digging wells and burying pots in vain. But seeing jade peaks across Mount Taibai, I take the bird path beyond Mount Emei. Autumn divides the scene with misty intent, dawn sunlight bathes the plants in grace. Where is that spot of clear light? This old man truly wishes to dwell in Qiu Chi,” expressing his boundless longing for Qiu Chi Mountain.