Pingshan Juefu

　　    Pingshan Juefu is located within the “Rongmei Tourist Area.” Centered around the ruins of the Pingshan Juefu site, it stretches from Liujiasi in the north to Jiufeng Bridge in the south, …

　　    Pingshan, also known as Pingshan Mountain, is 11 km from the county seat. The mountain features a long, narrow terrain with a relatively flat summit and precipitous surroundings, including cliffs thousands of feet high, making it easily defensible. Eight generations of Rongmei Tusi chieftains once developed this area diligently, constructing a grand architectural complex including the Juefu, with ruins spread throughout Pingshan. The Juefu ruins cover approximately 1,200 m² and include remnants such as the government office, streets, main hall, central hall, and cliff inscriptions like “High Mountains and Long Waters.” Other structures include cave residences like Wanquan Cave and Zhaidong Cave, earthen fortifications like Qizhangwu Earth City and Dahuangkou Pass, as well as the 500-meter-long, 5-meter-high stone wall in Bixia Gorge. Southwest of the wall lie the Pingbu Bridge, Iron Lock Bridge, and the tomb cluster of the Tusi official Xiang family, along with sites related to Tusi activities such as archery boards, reviewing stands, Liangfeng Platform, horse-training grounds, prison cells (Tianlao and Dilao), and the Execution Valley. The Pingshan Tusi ruins have become the most representative remains of the Rongmei Tusi.

　　    There are numerous Tusi relics, including famous ones such as Pingshan Juefu, Wanren Cave, and Wanquan Cave, which served as successive Tusi palaces. There are also over 50 Rongmei Tusi sites such as Jiufeng Bridge, Xiliucheng, and the steles at Guanpo Garden. The natural environment is beautiful with excellent ecology. Bixia Gorge is located on the right side of Pingshan, stretching 12 km, with the 2 km section from the Iron Chain Bridge to Zhongbao Mountain being particularly notable. This long gorge section is called Longyuan, averaging 3 m in width, and is home to rare fish species such as the Chinese giant salamander, as well as more than 10 types of national first-class protected plants like dove trees and metasequoia.

　　    Wanquan Cave. A Tusi cave residence, located on the cliff on the western side of Pingshan Mountain. The cave is 60 m high, about 50 m deep, and 40 m wide, with a large stone platform at the entrance. It was built in the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign (1683) under the direction of Tusi Tian Shunian. Descending through the perilous cliffside path to Wanquan Cave, remnants of cave structures such as the “Airi Pavilion,” “Jiuyue Pavilion,” and “Weibo Tower” can still be faintly seen. The cave entrance features cliff inscriptions carved by Tian Shunian titled “Record of Wanquan Cave.” The interior is spacious and open, with trickles of water seeping from the rock crevices. Various uniquely shaped stalactites present a fascinating sight. It served as the library for the Rongmei Tusi and was the place where the last Tusi, Tian ..., committed suicide.

　　    Wanren Cave. A Tusi cave residence, located 4 km northeast of the county seat. It was renovated in the 37th year of the Kangxi reign (1668) under the direction of Tusi Tian Shunian and is one of the most intact Tusi sites preserved to date. The cave has an elliptical shape, with eaves 25 m high and 20 m wide. Outside the cave is a gate 3 m wide, 4 m high, and about 4 m thick, forming the first line of defense. The gate is built from strip stones, with the “Record of Wanren Cave” stele inscribed by Tusi Tian Shunian. Fifty meters past the gate is a sealed barrier wall, forming the second line of defense. The cave extends for several dozen li, containing underground streams and sights such as the Tusi’s Bed, Stone Bridge, Yiquan Pavilion, Longyuan, Seven-Tier Stone Stairs, Ten-Li Gallery, Forty-Eight Fields, Wangshui Tower, Water-Wrapped Capital, and Old Dragon Polishing Pearls.

　　    Jiufeng Bridge. Located in Rongmei Town at Jiufeng Bridge. The bridge is 10 m long and 8 m high, built as a stone arch bridge. It was constructed in the 39th year of the Kangxi reign (1700) under the direction of Rongmei Tusi Tian Shunian. Tian Shunian’s courtesy name was Jiufeng, hence the bridge's name.