Guiping Xishan

　　The Guiping Xishan Scenic Area is situated in Guiping City in the southeastern part of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is centered around the Xishan scenic spot, located about 1 kilometer from the urban area, and encompasses a collection of attractions including the site of the Jintian Uprising of the Taiping Rebellion, the Taiping Mountain Flora and Fauna Nature Reserve, the cultural charm of the Zhuang and Yao villages in Zijingshan, the Lucongyan Karst Cave known as the "Blessed Land of Paradise," the Baishi Tiankeng cave, the Lychee Village of Mading, the ancient city scenery of Xunzhou, as well as the Tropic of Cancer Monument. Covering a total area of approximately 2,000 square kilometers, it forms a grand composite scenic area.

　　Guiping Xishan is famed for its "peculiar rocks, elegant trees, fragrant tea, and sweet springs." Its peaks are rugged and majestic, with massive boulders—some dozens to over a hundred cubic meters in size—stacked together. Among them are oddly shaped rocks and winding stone paths. Towering trees and lush greenery create a spectacular natural landscape. Xishan tea is widely renowned for its delicate aroma and delicious taste, and is exported to many regions. The sweetness of the springs has long been praised by people. In recent years, using the high-quality milk spring water, locals have produced a variety of delightful beverages, such as "Ruquan Wine," hailed as the "Guizhou Maotai of Guangxi," and "Luohanguo Dew," a drink rich in beneficial trace minerals, all known for their refreshing and delicious taste. In the peak of summer, bamboo tubes are placed by the milk spring for passersby to drink from. Sipping slowly from a tube of cool spring water is considered one of the great pleasures at Xishan and regarded as a unique highlight.

　　To the west of downtown Guiping lies part of the Longshan Mountain Range in central Guangxi, often referred to as the "Cradle of Milk Springs." This area consists of Mesozoic granite, where groundwater accumulates in the fractures of the rock formation, forming springs. The water molecules in these springs have a high density and strong surface tension, exhibiting a special physical phenomenon said to rival only the Tiger Running Spring in Hangzhou. A demonstration once showed that up to 113 coins could be dropped into a glass of this water, causing it to bulge like bread at the brim without spilling, defying the rule that "fullness leads to overflow." Witnesses to this remarkable phenomenon are always amazed. Locals take even greater pride in it. A local tea-picking folk song praises the milk spring: “Flower-slit rock, flower-slit rock, milk spring water, Xishan tea. This tale is not for the common folk to hear, for they might just take monastic vows upon hearing it.”

　　On top of a massive granite boulder, there grows a peculiar tree with exposed roots, its roots twisting and entwined around the rock.

　　Beneath the giant rock lies the inscription “Ruquan” (Milk Spring), written by ancient hands. The spring is about 1 meter deep and neither dries up in winter nor overflows in summer. According to the *Xunzhou Prefecture Annals*, the milk spring is “as clear and cool as the Longjing spring in Hangzhou, but even sweeter. Occasionally, a milky liquid spurts out, hence the name Milk Spring.” Modern scientific tests confirm that this phenomenon is caused by radon gas. When radon escapes rapidly with the spring water, it creates the milky appearance.

　　The Xishan scenic area has a long history and was originally a Buddhist sacred site. It still retains relatively intact Buddhist architecture and temples, such as Longhua Temple, Li Gong Ancestral Hall, Xishi Nunnery, Ruquan Pavilion, and Feige Pavilion. Over the dynasties, scholars have composed more than 4,000 poems and couplets praising Xishan.

　　The Four Wonders of Xishan

　　1. Lush Forests

　　The forests of Xishan are dense and verdant, with a forest coverage rate of 98%. There are over 130,000 mature trees, with a total timber reserve of 17,000 cubic meters. The main tree species include pine, banyan, camphor, and fishtail palm, collectively known as the “Four Great Families” of Xishan’s forests. There are more than 500 ancient pines, banyans, and camphors, some over 200–300 years old. On the right side of Xishi Nunnery, there are also several rare broadleaf albizia trees in Guangxi, towering majestically and serving as excellent timber. The 1943 edition of the *Travel Magazine* described Xishan as having “dense shade that darkens the sky, resembling the Bamboo Path of Yunqi in Hangzhou or the Feilai Peak Road of Lingyin Temple, but with even greater variety and more striking forms of trees.”

　　2. Peculiar Rocks

　　The rocks on Xishan are primarily biotite granite, formed about 180 million years ago during the early Mesozoic era. They are characterized by a “rough and bold” style, featuring a multitude of shapes and forms. There is Chessboard Rock, which resembles a stone table; Flying Stone, whose origins are unknown; rocks that rise abruptly from the ground like mountains; and others that crouch like tigers by the roadside. Shiyan Cave is formed by three huge rocks supporting each other, while Yaoweng Rock is a natural cavity suddenly indented into the side of a mountain-like boulder. As Master Fayuan wrote in his article *Guiping’s Xishan*: “Even the rocks (of Xishan) are more interesting (than those of Flyover Peak in West Lake, Hangzhou), seemingly arranged in oddly fascinating yet friendly ways,” which is no exaggeration.

　　3. Sweet Springs

　　Beside Longhua Temple lies the Milk Spring. This ancient spring is about 1 meter wide and deep, never drying up in winter or overflowing in summer. It maintains a consistent water level and a temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius year-round. The *Xunzhou Prefecture Annals* describe it as being as clear and cool as the Longjing Spring in Hangzhou but even sweeter. Occasionally, a milky liquid spurts out, hence its name. The Milk Spring water is crystal clear with very few impurities, making it a rare natural soft water. It contains an abundance of natural oxygen, which chemically reacts with impurities in tea and alcohol, causing the impurities to evaporate. Thus, tea brewed with Milk Spring water is especially fragrant, and wine made with it is particularly mellow.

　　4. Fragrant Tea

　　Xishan enjoys abundant rainfall and sunlight, along with sweet springs and fertile soil. Tea cultivation began on the mountain as early as the Tang Dynasty. By the Ming Dynasty, Xishan tea had already gained fame across Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan. The Republican-era *Guiping County Annals* recorded: “Xishan tea is grown under the Guanyin Rock near the Chessboard Stone and Milk Spring Well of Xishan. The tea bushes are planted low and scattered, with green leaves spreading... (description continues with poetic praise for its fragrance, taste, and refreshing qualities)... making drinkers feel refreshed and invigorated.”

　　The Old Eight Scenic Spots of Xishan

　　1. Journey of Winds and Clouds: Site of the Jintian Uprising

　　2. Buddhist Sacred Site

　　3. Journey through Mountains and Waters: Dateng Gorge Scenic Area

　　4. Summer Retreat: Xishan Scenic Area in Longtan National Forest Park

　　5. Taoist Wonder: Baishi Mountain Scenic Area

　　6. Journey of Wonders: Daping Mountain Scenic Area

　　7. Lunar Rock Spectacle: Lucong Mountain Scenic Area

　　8. Shining Pearl: Tropic of Cancer Monument Park

　　The New Eight Scenic Spots of Xishan

　　1. Linghu Layered Greenery

　　Walking straight through the mountain gate for about half a li, you’ll find a serene artificial lake on the right. This is the Xishan Reservoir, built in 1954 and also called Linghu (Spirit Lake). With rippling blue waters surrounded by peaks and lush greenery, the harmonious blend of water and mountain scenery adds endless charm to Xishan. Crossing the zigzag bridge, you can reach the island in the center of the lake, shaded by trees and appearing like a green boat floating on the water. On the western lakeshore, there is a swimming pool. In the height of summer, visitors can paddle on the lake or play in the water, enjoying themselves in different ways. After playing, you can also rest and enjoy tea and snacks at the “Linghu Tea House” by the lake.

　　2. Sunrise at the Precipice

　　On the right front side of Guanyin Rock, there is a uniquely shaped cliff where a square pavilion stands atop the craggy rock, facing east. Photography enthusiasts often favor this spot to capture the sunrise over the Western Hills, hence the name "Sunrise Pavilion." From the railing, the view is vast and spectacular, seemingly even more impressive than that from Longhua Temple. This is the "Sunrise at the Precipice," one of the new scenic highlights of the Western Hills.

　　3. Rainbow Bridge and Boiling Spring

　　About 500 meters up from the "One Step to Heaven" trail, amidst the perilous cliffs and narrow paths, you’ll find a bridge spanning the gap like a rainbow—hence called the Rainbow Bridge. Standing on the bridge and looking down at the mountain below, you feel as if you’re standing above the clouds. Beside the bridge, a small stream trickles out from the cliff face, forming a clear spring that actually shares the same source as the Milk Spring.

　　4. Immortals’ Gathering in the Long Gorge

　　About 100 meters above the Rainbow Bridge lies this site. The gorge stretches 40 meters, flanked by towering cliffs with just enough space for a single person to pass through the middle path. A cool breeze blows through the gorge, and when you look up, you can only see a sliver of blue sky—thus it’s also known as “One Line Sky.” Local legend says that those with good fortune may encounter immortals here. At the southern entrance of the gorge, inscribed on the stone cliff, are three large characters “Immortals’ Gorge” written by Master Kuan Neng. It turns out that the Immortals’ Gathering Gorge is also called the Immortals’ Gorge.

　　5. Watching the Sunrise from Dragon Pavilion

　　Perched on the cliffs below the Immortals’ Gorge, this is a two-story hexagonal pavilion. Its roof ridges are adorned with six dragons, their heads raised as if ready to take flight—an imposing sight. This is the highest point in the Western Hills Scenic Area. If you rise at dawn and climb here, you can fully enjoy the new spectacle of “Watching the Sunrise from Dragon Pavilion”: at the far end of the river, the landscape begins shrouded in darkness and mist, gradually lightening into brilliance with glowing rays of dawn; in a flash, the rising sun bursts forth like fire, slowly climbing higher; soon after, golden rays of light spread across the Xun, Qian, and Yu rivers. The land awakens from its slumber, with fields and paths brimming with vitality—a scene of breathtaking diversity.

　　6. Suspended Green Walkway

　　Descending from Dragon Pavilion, you’ll walk along a mountain-side plank walkway about 300 meters long. The walkway winds down along the cliff, paved with cement steps about one meter wide, with railings on the side. Due to the high elevation, walking here gives visitors an exhilarating yet not frightening experience. From the walkway, you can gaze out at the mighty flow of the three rivers and the vast land—a uniquely majestic view.

　　7. Listening to the Pine Waves

　　After descending the walkway and passing through dense woods, you’ll arrive at the “Pine Listening Pavilion.” Here, the pine forest stretches like a sea, and when the mountain wind blows through, it creates waves of sound—like sand blowing across flat land, like night rain in a quiet valley, like the roaring tide of the ocean, or like the growl of tigers in deep mountains… A poet once wrote of this scene: “Suddenly lying high in the hills, I dream, then hear the roars of tigers all around; I rise to see the forests swaying, as the great wind stirs like surging waves.”

　　8. Waterfall of Lian Stream

　　About fifty or sixty meters north down the stone steps from the Pine Listening Pavilion, you’ll reach Lian Stream, formerly known as Catfish Stream. Because the Northern Song Dynasty Neo-Confucian scholar Zhou Dunyi (also known as Master Lianxi) once came to Guiping to give lectures and frequently visited the Western Hills, later generations named the stream after his alias. Lian Stream flows year-round, its waters cascading down the mountain terrain. After heavy rain, when mountain springs swell, the silver flow plunges down, appearing from afar like a white silk ribbon hanging high or like green waves rising in mist.