Xiaojihua Scenic Area

　　The Xiaojihua Scenic Area in Jixi County is situated in the northeastern part of Jingzhou Township. The area features secluded mountains and rivers, and it is said that “Kṣitigarbha of Jiuhuashan once practiced asceticism here, hence the name.” The valleys are deep and winding, resembling several dragons meandering and converging. In the middle lies a hill where the river bends and flows around it, forming a peninsula-like shape, on which stands the Kṣitigarbha Hall.

　　On the opposite bank, the mountains stand like a screen, with the Yinping Temple in front. Nearby, there are two striking peaks: one to the northeast of the hill, where steep rocks tilt in three layers, resembling multi-storied pavilions, with a waterfall above and a path for pedestrians below; the other to the northwest of the hill, where a rocky peak juts out beside the river bend, with a sharp and slender top, a full and curved middle, and a long, round base, with grass growing around its waist like tassels. Its curved shape resembles a knife, commonly known as the “Guanwang Knife.” The blade is 39 meters high. On the blade’s face, the four large characters “万古不磨” (Everlasting Through the Ages) were inscribed in ancient times but have faded over time.

　　In the leap seventh month of the 27th year of the Republic of China (1938), Hu Zhongwu, a local resident, funded the inscription of “七七纪念” (July 7th Memorial) on the rock. In October 1965, Zhang Bijing and two others from Zhuangzi Village added a huge slogan reading “Long Live China!” on the rock face. Along the river, crisscrossing stone cliffs form natural dams, with many caves and deep pools, commonly referred to as the “Nine Wells and Eighteen Dams,” among which the Tiefu Pool is the most notable.

　　During the Cultural Revolution, the halls, temples, and Buddha statues were all destroyed. Today, the beautiful mountains and waters remain, making it an ideal destination for tourism and summer retreats. “A mountain need not be high to be spiritual if it is home to immortals; water need not be deep to be divine if it is inhabited by dragons.” Xiaojihua is not only known for the efficacy of its bodhisattvas, earning the trust of visitors from all directions, but also famed for its pristine and elegant landscapes.

　　Xiaojihua, one of China’s renowned mountains, is the “natural botanical garden” of East China and also a “paradise for wildlife.” The flora within the protected area is characterized by its antiquity, transitional nature, diversity, extensive connections, abundance of rare species, and high distribution density.

　　Among the 1,633 species of vascular plants across 192 families, there are 547 species of woody plants from 241 genera and 89 families, including 31 species that are rare, endangered, and under national protection. These species exhibit complex and diverse populations that are well-preserved. For example, species such as Cathay silver fir, southern hemlock, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Adinandra millettii, Tapiscia sinensis, and Lindera limprichtii form single or double dominant forest plant communities in certain areas, maintaining their pristine state. These areas hold significant scientific research value and serve as ideal locations for biodiversity studies.