Qianjiang Bamianshan

　　Located northwest of Qianjiang City, stretching from Huoshaoyan Meiziguan in the south to Fengchishan in the west and Ban Dengyan in the north, Bamianshan covers an area of 30 square kilometers. Accessible via four directions — east, west, south, and north — and reachable from eight approach routes, the mountain borders Nanhai and Shihui and now falls under the jurisdiction of Chengxi Subdistrict. Its highest peak, Zhongdingshan, stands at 1,720 meters above sea level, covered with lush natural vegetation and abundant rare flowers and plants. It produces precious medicinal herbs such as gastrodia and coptis, and has long been a much-coveted destination for travelers. People flock here year-round, often accompanied by friends, to relax and unwind.

　　According to the historical text Fangyu Jiyao: "Bamianshan is located twenty li north of the county. The mountain has eight faces, with a pool on top spanning hundreds of hectares that never dries up throughout the seasons. The Damu Stream originates here." It continues: "The mountain has eight faces, stretching for dozens of li, rising over ten li high. Its highest point is called Zhongdingshan. Looking around, you see vast misty mountains and endless distances. At first, the path is treacherous and narrow, but once you reach the summit, you’re greeted by open wilderness, deep gorges, wild grass, and desolate forests as far as the eye can see. Halfway up the mountain lies Mingya Cliff, a sheer rock face over ten ren high. During the Ming Hongwu era, General Lan Yu of the Liangguo Marquisate camped here while campaigning against the Miao. During the Xianfeng Year of Xin You, locals sought refuge from bandits here, and the raiders repeatedly attacked but failed to succeed. Nearby are the Ziyang Cave and scenic spots such as the Stone Drum and Stone Bell, often shrouded in clouds year-round. When the sky clears, golden rays shine brilliantly, dazzling to the eye."

　　This may be the reason behind the mountain’s name. Among Qianjiang’s tourist attractions, Bamianshan is definitely a must-visit destination.

　　In the past, vast expanses of primeval and secondary forests were found all over Bamianshan, but most have now disappeared. The first wave of destruction came during the “Great Leap Forward” in 1958, when countless century-old and even millennium-old trees were felled and chopped up as fuel for steel production, quickly turning to ash. Then came the 1970s and the “Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture” campaign — to create “Dazhai-style fields,” even tung and camellia oil forests were not spared in many areas. Coupled with the export of timber via rail, road, and water transport, nearly every last remnant was cleared out. Aside from a few hard-to-reach and remote dangerous areas, this immense natural wealth bestowed upon Qianjiang suffered a one-time massive squandering and liquidation. While venomous snakes and fierce beasts have long since vanished, the pristine, mysterious beauty of nature has also disappeared — like a stunningly beautiful fairy whose resplendent multicolored robes have been torn off, her shimmering hairpins, rings, and bracelets stripped away, her magical transforming treasures taken, leaving her naked on the ground. But after decades of cultivation and replanting, the mountain is once again beginning to show the freshness of its peaks, the verdancy of its trees, and the beauty of poetry.

　　You can drive to many routes and reach the mountain in half an hour to experience the alpine charm and poetic ambiance.

　　As an ancient saying goes: “A mountain need not be high — with an immortal, it becomes famous; a body of water need not be deep — with a dragon, it becomes spiritual.” In addition to its stunning scenery, Bamianshan has long been a place yearned for by literati and poets, and it is also home to many historic sites, scenic spots, and legendary tales.

　　On the western cliffs of Bamianshan is a place called Huaya Zi, also known as the White Alum Factory. Historical records state: "During the Song Dynasty, the poet Huang Tingjian, also known as Huang Shangu, was demoted in the early Shaosheng era for the charge of 'recording history inaccurately.' He was relegated to Fuzhou as a Biéjià (a minor official), and assigned to Qianzhou (present-day Pengshui County). He stayed at the Kaiyuan Temple (now in Yushan Town, Pengshui Autonomous County). In his leisure time, Huang often dug wells with local monks and residents for drinking water and grew vegetables for food. During this period, Huang heard that there were stones in the factory area suitable for refining alum, so he went to inspect them, but found the stone too soft and left without success..." Today, the white sails (of the factory) are gone, but Huaya Cliff still smiles in the spring breeze. If you’re in the mood, you can follow in the footsteps of Master Huang and explore it for yourself.

　　Historical texts also record: "During the Ming Hongwu era, General Lan Yu of the Liangguo Marquisate was dispatched here and set up camp," which is why the place later became known as Guogong Cliff. In the 11th year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, the Taiping Army marched from Pengshui to Qianjiang and fought a major battle at Meiziguan against Du Si Tan Jian. Dozens of Tan’s surviving soldiers hid near Guogong Cliff. Thus, in the 15th year of the Guangxu era, Zhang Jiu Zhang, then magistrate of Qianjiang, wrote in his poem “Touring Guogong Cliff”: “The locals all speak of this refuge from war — the cliffs of Bamianshan are high and defensible. I stare in vain, filled with regret, yet the county moves on and I cannot linger. ... Seeking solitude, I fear neither tiger nor jackal, yet dangers and thorny thickets lie everywhere. The Ming dynasty’s territory is no more — not even an inch remains — yet its noble name still points to Guogong Cliff.”

　　Bamianshan is adjacent to Fengchishan to the northwest. Speaking of Fengchishan, it is not only a Buddhist sacred site but also the birthplace of the shocking armed uprising led by Wen Chaozhong of the Qianjiang Tujia Tongmenghui during the Gengxu and Xinhai years, which sent shockwaves through the Qing Dynasty. “At the top of Fengchishan stands the ancient Guanyin Temple, built in the 43rd year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty’s Shenzong reign. The temple has three levels, a grand scale, solemn Buddha statues, and magnificent golden visages, making it a place of worship and reverence for monks and locals from Qianjiang, Pengshui, Shizhu, and Lichuan counties. At its peak, during the 2nd, 6th, and 9th months of the lunar calendar for the Guanyin Temple Fair, the roads were packed with visitors, with thousands of men and women attending. At the foot of the mountain lies a large pool called Fengchi Pond, with deep, clear water — hence the name. Fengchishan has steep terrain, rising several thousand feet above the ground. In spring, mist and clouds shroud the peak for days on end; in winter, snow accumulates over a foot deep and lingers for months without melting, offering supremely beautiful scenery.”

　　Due to its elevation, Bamianshan has historically been a strategic military location, fiercely contested by armies throughout the ages. To this day, remnants of ancient battlefields remain on the mountain.