Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling

　　   Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling is situated on the banks of the Yuan River southeast of Yuanling County. It stands 200 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 0.6 square kilometers. Also known as Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling County, …

　　   The western and northern sides of Fenghuang Mountain face the Yuan River, where steep cliffs rise sharply, while rolling mountains stretch to the southeast. The mountain earned the name "Fenghuang" (Phoenix) due to its resemblance to a phoenix spreading its wings. Nestled within lush forests and deep valleys, the area features quaint villages, curling wisps of cooking smoke, ancient towering trees at the summit, and bamboo thickets dotting the landscape—offering breathtaking scenery. It was ranked as the premier scenic wonder of Qianzhong Commandery during the ninth year of the Kaihuang era (589 AD) under Emperor Wen of Sui. The Ming Dynasty poet Zhang Zhiyao once wrote: “Luminous peaks emerge faintly from the clouds, meandering trails wind beside curved railings; people head toward the shade of green willows, while from across the river, the scene is admired like a painting.” Fenghuang Mountain boasts over 30 attractions, including the Phoenix Ancient Temple, Phoenix Ancient Well, Child-Giving Guanyin Camphor Tree, Fishing Pond, Stone Turtle, Snow仇恨 Cave, Qujiang Room, River-Viewing Pavilion, Phoenix Crying Tower, Xuchen Tomb, Mizishan, Water Amusement Park, and Hezhangzhou Island. In December 1936, after the shocking "Xi’an Incident," patriotic anti-Japanese general Zhang Xueliang was placed under lifelong house arrest by Chiang Kai-shek. In October 1938, under Chiang’s orders, secret police chief Dai Li instructed squad leader Liu Yiguang to secretly transfer Zhang from Suxian Ridge to Yuanling, confining him inside the Phoenix Temple. There, he endured a life of misery, described as: “A solitary shadow drifts far under boundless blue skies; old friends travel paths long and cold. I toss and turn, unable to sleep, tears soaking my pillow dry.” Thus, he inscribed these sorrowful lines on the temple walls: “Under boundless blue, a lonely shadow flies far; an old friend’s journey stretches long and wide. Youth fades as temples grey, yet only spring winds return this year.” As the situation deteriorated further, in December 1939, he was moved to detention sites in Xifeng and Xiuwen, Guizhou.

　　The Ancient Temple on Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling

　　At the summit of Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling stands the Ancient Phoenix Temple, built during the Wanli era (1573–1620) of the Ming Dynasty. Towering ancient trees surround the temple, creating a serene environment. To the south, on Xianglu Mountain, rises the "Fengming Tower," a seven-story structure of imposing grandeur. Stone stairways carved along the cliffs resemble colorful ribbons cascading down to the riverside. In 1938, patriotic general Zhang Xueliang was placed under house arrest by Chiang Kai-shek at the Ancient Phoenix Temple on Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling for a full year, bringing the site international recognition.

　　Scenery of Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling

　　Fenghuang Mountain in Yuanling features deep forests and valleys, warm villages, drifting cooking smoke, ancient trees atop the summit, and bamboo thickets throughout the hillsides—a truly picturesque landscape. It was honored as the foremost scenic spot of Qianzhong Commandery in 589 AD during the Sui Dynasty. The Ming poet Zhang Zhiyao praised it: “Clear peaks float faintly from the cloud’s embrace, wild trails wind past winding railings; people walk toward the green willow’s shade, while from across the river, it’s admired like art.” The mountain offers over 30 scenic spots such as the Phoenix Ancient Temple, Phoenix Ancient Well, Child-Giving Guanyin Camphor Tree, Fishing Pond, Stone Turtle, Snow仇恨 Cave, Qujiang Room, River-Viewing Pavilion, Phoenix Crying Tower, Xuchen Tomb, Mizishan, Water Amusement Park, and Hezhangzhou Island. Once subjected to cycles of prosperity and decline, and battered through the years, Fenghuang Mountain was later designated a key heritage site by the Yuanling provincial government after the liberation. State funding enabled its restoration and reconstruction. Today, Fenghuang Mountain welcomes domestic and international visitors with a completely renewed charm.