Fengxian Mountain

　　Fengxian Mountain, also known as "Fengxian Mountain," is often referred to as the "Little Mount Tai." It is located 3 kilometers north of Zhagou Town in Sishui County and features 12 peaks of varying sizes. The main peak stands at 608 meters high, towering above the more than 520 peaks in Sishui County, earning it the title of "The Number One Mountain of Sishui." Fengxian Mountain boasts ancient trees that reach to the sky, with primeval forests that blot out the sun, steep cliffs, grotesque rocks, deep caves, and landscapes where water reflects the mountains. It combines the majesty of Mount Tai, the wonder of Huangshan, the peril of Huashan, and the beauty of Mount Emei, along with numerous scenic spots and beautiful legends, creating a unique tourism landscape.

　　In spring, Fengxian Mountain is covered with blooming vines; in summer, waterfalls and streams flow freely; in autumn, red leaves fill the sky; and in winter, lush pines and cypresses stand tall. Throughout all four seasons, the mountain remains vibrant with life. The area is home to vast primeval forests, lush and vigorous, with a rich variety of tree species, primarily evergreen pines. Trees such as coptis, ash, tung flower, elm, hibiscus, cypress, and many unnamed varieties display their unique charm in different seasons. Furthermore, oaks and five-lobed maples adorn the mountains with patches of golden yellow and fiery red during the late autumn after the first frost. The overlapping terrain of Fengxian Mountain features massive rocks weighing nearly 10,000 tons, angular and sharp, as if cut by heavenly knives. Legend has it that they were celestial bricks used to build the Jade Emperor’s palace. The "Confucius Teaching" rock is remarkably lifelike, with the central figure wearing a crown and sporting a long beard being Confucius giving a lecture, surrounded by his kneeling disciples. The "Sky-Supporting Pillar" rises 12 meters from the ground. The "Griddle Stone" is flat and expansive, said to be where immortals made pancakes. Other formations like the "Elderly Stone," "Mushroom Stone," "Stone Boat," "Male Stone," and "Divine Turtle Stone" are strikingly realistic, exquisitely crafted, and truly breathtaking.

　　The main peak of Fengxian Mountain—"Two Horns"—stands at an elevation of 608 meters. About 100 meters southeast and slightly below it, in a sunny spot, lie the ruins of the Jade Emperor Hall and the Wenchang Pavilion. Behind these two temples, on the towering stone cliff, are carved the three large characters "Fengxian Mountain." Though weathered and rust-stained, the bold characters remain clearly visible due to their size. Below the cliff is a cave where dripping water creates a pleasant sound, and the pool inside is crystal clear with year-round flowing water. Approximately 100 meters northwest of the Jade Emperor Hall is the "Chaoyang Cave," with its entrance facing southeast and offering a view toward the sea to the east. On the upper left of the cave’s entrance is carved the three approximately 12-centimeter-square regular script characters "Chaoyang Cave" (Sun-Facing Cave), with strokes that are vigorous and elegant, demonstrating high calligraphic skill. Outside the cave entrance, two groups of massive east-west boulders stand like rows of long arrows thrusting into the clouds, so steep that even cats or monkeys would find it hard to climb. Inside the cave is a spacious and flat area of about 40 square meters. To the northwest and southwest, there are two smaller caves. The one to the southwest is unfathomably deep, with a naturally fallen huge rock blocking the entrance from above. The one to the northwest, about 20 meters diagonally upward, allows a faint beam of sunlight to shine in from the outside.

　　About 200 meters slightly southwest below the Jade Emperor Hall lies the "Three Immortals Cave," with its entrance facing south. Inside, it is dry, flat, and well-lit, spanning the size of three rooms. Below the cave, a valley stream babbles softly, making it an ideal natural shelter for overnight stays. Two hundred meters south of the Jade Emperor Hall is the "Mount Tai Palace," where the remains of dilapidated walls can still be found. The area features flat and open terrain, fertile soil, lush vegetation, and babbling streams. The Louyuan Nunnery ruins are about 1,000 meters from the Jade Emperor Hall and serve as a key gateway to Fengxian Mountain, where ten stone pedestals still remain. The Fairy Cave is located about 300 meters south of the Jade Emperor Hall, halfway up the mountain. This cave is a marvel of nature and craftsmanship, artificially hollowed out of the mountain. It is built on a massive rock that is about 18 meters wide and 12 meters high, with an entrance 0.65 meters wide and 1.2 meters high. The cave itself is 1.66 meters deep, 1.7 meters wide, and 1.73 meters high. In front of the cave is a natural screen-like rock, about 6 meters high and 8 meters wide, with several Han dynasty bricks and tiles on it.

　　Paoma Ridge is located on a small hilltop directly south of Fengxian Mountain, stretching about 150 meters from east to west. Legend has it that this was where Mu Guiying trained her horses. The area is flat with fertile soil, making it a great spot for parking and accommodation. The ruins of the Lingguan Temple are located at the foot of Fengxian Mountain in Daozhuang Village. Among the mountains surrounding the Longquan (Dragon Spring), there are the remains of the Wanglin and Yuanzhen Zen Temples. It is said that after the third prince of the Chongzhen Emperor was killed by Qing troops, he was buried here, hence the name Wanglin (King’s Forest). The Baita Temple is located about 3 li (approximately 1.5 km) east of the Jade Emperor Hall, where the "Old Monk Cave" on the tower still remains. On both sides of Fengxian Mountain, halfway up the slopes, there are two reservoirs, each with a capacity of 1 million cubic meters, creating a picturesque blend of water and mountain scenery that enhances the ethereal beauty of Fengxian Mountain.