Xijiang Scenic Area

　　   The Xijiang River flows from west to east through the entire territory of Zhaoqing before entering the South China Sea via Yamen in Xinhui City. This stretch of the Xijiang River boasts beautiful scenery and numerous historic sites. Taking a boat cruise along the river offers a unique and delightful experience.

　　   If you approach from the east heading westward, the first sight to greet your eyes is Yanzhou Island, which resembles an inkstone floating in the middle of the Xijiang River. Legend has it that in the second year of the Qingli era during the reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty (1042), Bao Zheng—renowned as "Bao Qingtian"—was leaving Zhaoqing after completing his three-year term as magistrate of Duanzhou. As his boat exited the Lingyang Gorge, suddenly the waves surged and a fierce wind arose. Sensing something amiss, Bao Zheng immediately questioned his attendants. It turned out that the local inkstone craftsmen of Duanzhou, to express their admiration for Bao Zheng’s concern for the people, had sent someone to present him with an inkstone wrapped in yellow cloth. His attendants, seeing only a stone inkstone and not any gold or jewels, accepted the gift. Upon learning of this, Bao Zheng immediately took the inkstone and threw it into the river. Instantly, the wind died down and the waves calmed. Later, the spot where Bao Zheng cast the inkstone rose up to form an islet—Yanzhou Island. The yellow cloth used to wrap the inkstone drifted downstream and settled near the riverbank, forming a stretch of yellow sand known today as “Yellow Cloth Sand.” Based on this legend, locals built a Temple to Lord Bao on Yanzhou Island, which still stands today and remains a place of active worship. This is the scene known as “Inkstone Islet and Breezy Air,” one of the Twenty Scenic Spots of the Xijiang River.

　　   After passing Yanzhou Island, you will arrive at the Lingyang Gorge, referred to in Chinese geographical texts as the “Xijiang Three Gorges.” The Xijiang Three Gorges consist of the Lingyang Gorge, Sanrong Gorge, and Dadingshan Gorge. The Xijiang River owes much of its fame to these three gorges. The scenery here is picturesque and beautiful, featuring twenty scenic spots from east to west: Inkstone Islet and Breezy Air, Sails Returning in Ling Gorge, Luoyin Monastery Below, Sunset at Taixi, The Waiting Wife Rock, Tiger Entering and Exiting the Mountain, Breezy Immortal Pavilion, Ancient Cave of the Returning Ape, Jingfu Flower Tomb, Reflection of the Ancient Pagoda, Evening View from the Riverside Tower, Rain Clouds over the Pagoda, Moonlit Night on Baisha Beach, Five Manifestations Fishing Lights, Five Horses Returning to the Stable, Turtle and Snake Locking the River, Water-Controlling Dadingshan, Sound of Waves at Goose Cave, Dragon’s Tongue and the Noble, and Fishing Platform in Rong Gorge.

　　   On the northern side of the Lingyang Gorge lies the “Luoyin Monastery Below,” originally an institution dispatched by Mount Dinghu to welcome and assist pilgrims crossing the river to the mountain, also known as “Qi’an Hermitage.” Historical records indicate that in 743 AD, the Japanese monk Rōben, who came to Tang China to study Buddhism, invited Master Jianzhen to sail to Japan. During Jianzhen’s fifth attempt to cross the sea, his ship was caught in a typhoon and drifted at sea until finally landing on Hainan Island. From there, he traveled east through Wuzhou to Duanzhou (present-day Zhaoqing City), where he ascended Mount Dinghu and stayed at Longxing Temple (renamed Baiyun Temple in the Song Dynasty). Due to exhaustion and illness, he passed away and was buried at the southern foot of Lotus Peak on Mount Dinghu.

　　   Exiting the Lingyang Gorge to the west, the river widens dramatically. Upon reaching the urban section of the river, the first thing that captures your attention is the unique sight of four ancient pagodas towering on both banks of the Xijiang River. Poet Guo Moruo, during his 1961 voyage along the Xijiang River, left behind the famous verse: “Four pagodas prop up the heavens, keeping the sky steady; Seven Stars accompany the moon, leaving the lunar palace serene.” The riverbanks are lined with high-rises, bustling with traffic—it's truly lively. The north bank is downtown Zhaoqing, while the south bank is the urban area of Gaoyao. These two modern cities reflect each other across the river, vying in prosperity.

　　   Traveling upstream, the Xijiang Bridge “spans north and south, turning a natural barrier into a thoroughfare.” Further ahead lie the Dadingshan Gorge and the Sanrong Gorge.

　　   Sailing upstream into Deqing territory, you can see ancient sites such as the Dragon Mother Ancestral Temple—where all waters converge—and the timelessly well-preserved Sanyuan Pagoda. Going farther west, you’ll arrive at the renowned Jinshi Mountain in Chinese history. Jinshi Mountain rises 375 meters high, consisting of two tiers: the upper, 200-meter-high cylindrical rock formation piercing the sky, and the lower, 175-meter-high earthen hill that complements it. Viewed from three different directions, the mountain presents distinct appearances: resembling a natural imperial pillar (hence called “Huabiao Stone” by some), an elderly man (hence “Laojun Stone”), or the head of a monk (hence “Monk’s Head Stone”). In truth, the name “Jinshi Mountain” has historical roots.

　　   Legend has it that when Liu Bang unified China and established the Han Dynasty, the King of Nanyue, Zhao Tuo, still occupied the Lingnan region. Liu Bang then sent the envoy Lu Jia to persuade Zhao Tuo to submit to Han rule. Traveling day and night by boat, Lu Jia encountered a sudden storm of thunder, lightning, and fierce winds upon reaching the Deqing area. The boat spun helplessly in the middle of the river, unable to proceed. Realizing the uncertainty of persuading Zhao Tuo, Lu grew increasingly anxious. He stepped out of the cabin and saw a massive, imposing rock standing on the shore. Believing the rock to be sacred, he braved the storm, landed ashore, and burned incense under the rock, praying for divine protection. He vowed that if he succeeded in persuading Zhao Tuo to submit to Han, he would return and adorn the rock with brocade as an offering of gratitude. No sooner had he finished the prayer than the storm ceased. True to his word, Lu later persuaded Zhao Tuo. On his return trip, he draped the rock with brocade, but the mountain was so large that brocade from ten boats could cover only the peak. Zhao Tuo suggested using flowers instead, so people were ordered to plant various blossoms all over the mountain. Draped in brocade and adorned with flowers, the peak shimmered like rosy clouds and thus was named “Jinshi Mountain” (Brocade Rock Mountain). To commemorate Lu Jia’s achievement, later generations built the “Temple to Lord Lu” here and erected a stele inscribed with “Meritorious Deeds on Brocade Rock.”