Huabiao Rock

　　   Huabiao Rock, also known as Jinshi Mountain, Brocade-Wrapped Rock, or Monk Rock, consists of two levels: the lower part is a mound-shaped earthen hill, and the upper part is a cylindrical rock mountain over 60 zhang tall. When viewed by boat from the Xijiang River, the rock resembles a giant huabiao (ornamental column), piercing the sky. As the boat follows the bends of the river, the shape of the rock changes accordingly—sometimes resembling a monk sitting cross-legged in meditation, other times like a monk getting up to pack his bundle. It is one of the unique sights along the Xijiang River.

　　   Huabiao Rock is located at the confluence of the Lushui River and the Xijiang River, 25 kilometers west of the county seat. It is a cylindrical rock about 200 meters high, with the three large characters “华表石” (Huabiao Rock) carved on the cliff on its western side. Each character is two zhang wide, inscribed by Li Minbiao, a Ming Dynasty painter and calligrapher from Guangdong, making it the largest cliff inscription in Lingnan history. In the late Qin Dynasty, Zhao Tuo occupied the Southern Yue region. After the Han Dynasty unified Central China, Emperor Gaozu sent Lu Jia, an imperial envoy, to persuade Zhao Tuo to submit to Han rule. Lu Jia traveled through Guiling, sailed down the Xijiang River, and passed by this spot. He found the peculiar rock standing abruptly and set up a brocade-covered path to climb up. He made a vow: if he succeeded in persuading Zhao Tuo to submit to Han, he would wrap the rock in brocade. Later, when Lu Jia fulfilled his mission and took a boat ride with Zhao Tuo here, he wrapped the rock in brocade. When there wasn’t enough brocade, flowers were used instead. To this day, in spring the area is covered with azaleas, and in autumn golden flowers bloom everywhere.    Huabiao Rock is hailed as a “Wonder of the Xijiang River” and the “Strangest Rock of the Xijiang,” formed from volcanic lava ejected during ancient eruptions. Below the mountain, lush forests and murmuring springs abound, surrounded by uniquely shaped rocks. Attractions include stone niches, Immortal Bridge, Five-Colored Stone Flowers, and Lion Rock. When sailing on the Xijiang River and looking at the distant rock mountain, the lower part resembles layered battlements, while the upper part looks like an array of screens. As you navigate around the mountain along the river, its form shifts constantly—sometimes like a reclining Buddha seen from the forehead, sometimes like a meditating monk with solemn dignity, and other times like a wandering monk with serene composure. The resemblance is strikingly lifelike, making it a marvel among rocky landscapes. Throughout history, many poets and scholars have visited and left poetic inscriptions here. One such poem, “Brocade Rock Piercing the Sky,” reads: “A lone pillar rising where the Five Ridges meet, / Here Lu Lang paused his cloud-borne banner fleet. / No mortal knows the divine work done offshore, / This pillar stands eternal, east and west, its core.”

　　   Best Time to Visit Huabiao Rock: Autumn is the most ideal season to climb Huabiao Rock. The weather is crisp and clear, and in the early morning, you might be greeted by a sea of thick fog, which gradually disperses to reveal bright sunshine—a truly delightful experience. Visiting during the Double Ninth Festival in autumn can be a bit crowded, but the lively atmosphere is part of the charm. Locals, undeterred by the effort, carry water, fruits, popsicles, and more up the mountain to sell, adding a special touch to the visit.