Dongyan (Chishi Tower)

　　An ancient poem reads: “The sun hangs near the mountain, a jade tower stands precariously on the rocks. A thousand peaks scatter rosy clouds, creating the wonder of a crimson city.” The only way to reach the top of Chishi Tower is to stay close to the cliff, step on slanted footholds, grasp at narrow crevices, twist through gaps between rocks, and pass through two “Heavenly Gates.”

　　The summit of the rock is vast, covering an area of over 20 acres. Standing atop, one feels as if in a fairyland, surrounded by green pines, emerald bamboos, pink peach blossoms, white pear blossoms, and a shower of fallen petals. Looking around, the beautiful mountain and river scenery unfolds in full view.

　　In the past, there was the Dingsi Monastery on the rock summit, and now there is an octagonal pavilion. There are also the Sun Pond and the Moon Pond. Legend has it that one pond was clear while the other was murky. The Moon Pond has been destroyed, but the Sun Pond still remains. It was man-made, measuring 6 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 2 meters in depth, and never dries up in any season.

　　At the foot of the mountainside next to Chishi Tower, there is also the Dongming Cave, which is 48 meters long and 18 meters wide. The rocks spread out like wings, and the area beneath the cave is flat and spacious. During the Song Dynasty, the Tianyue Hall and meditation rooms were built here.

　　Not far to its southwest lies the Ox Nose Cave, described by the verse: “A towering beam stands straight, two deep holes sealed silent. The cow-rider is nowhere to be seen, yet purple mist swirls around Dongyan.”

　　"

　　The Ox Nose Cave is 20 meters wide and 20 meters deep.

　　In the third year of the Xuanhe era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1121), the rebel forces of Fang La, under the command of Hong Zai, once captured Dongyan. In the 14th year of the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1449), Tao De’er led a rebellion of miners from Xuanci and attacked Chuzhou City. The local gentry Cai Gongshi of Yeling gathered clan members and militia to defend the summit of Dongyan. Tao De’er’s subordinate Shu Jinglong laid siege to the rock for over ten days, and finally set fire to the surrounding forest, forcing Cai Gongshi and his followers to fall to their deaths off the cliff.

　　Today, on the hillside below Dongyan, there remains a “Tomb of a Thousand People.”

　　Dongyan (Chishi Tower)