Mount Yishen Ridge

　　Those who have visited Zhangjiajie National Forest Park often say that the extraordinary mountains, beautiful waters, and serene forests form the magical and enchanting landscape of Zhangjiajie. Tunliu, too, boasts a scenic destination that wins visitors over with its uniquely shaped mountain—Mount Yishen Ridge. Located to the south of Tunliu County, the ridge stands at an elevation of 1,021 meters. Though it lacks towering, steep peaks, its winding and meandering ridgelines resemble a coiled dragon, shrouded in drifting clouds and mist, appearing and disappearing in a fantastical beauty. To the west of Mount Yishen Ridge lies Phoenix Mountain, atop which stands the Temple of Wang Bo dang. Wang Bo dàng was a general of the Wagang Army, a peasant rebellion force during the late Sui Dynasty. A native of Xunyi in Rongyang, he was once granted the title of Duke of Langya by Li Mi. In the 14th year of the Daye era, after Li Mi was defeated by Wang Shichong...

　　...he and Li Mi surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, only to rebel against it together later on. When Wang Bo dàng fled to the vicinity of Jianqian area in Mount Yishen Ridge, he was chased down and killed by pursuing Tang troops who shot him with a hail of arrows. He was buried in Wangmu Ridge Village at the foot of Mount Yishen Ridge. Local people, admiring his loyalty and righteousness, built the Temple of Wang Bo dàng on Phoenix Mountain in his honor. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Xiaowen passed through this area and, gazing from afar at the swirling mountain mists that rose and fell like moving pythons and dragons, bestowed upon it the name "Yishen Ridge" (Ridge of the Revered Spirit). The mountain is home to the Temple of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, a north-facing, quadrangle-style temple complex that includes a theater stage and side rooms. From a distance, Mount Yishen Ridge appears hazy and indistinct, like a dragon soaring amid clouds and mist, emerging and vanishing unpredictably.