Dongshan Stele Corridor

　　The Dongshan Stele Corridor is situated on a slope of land between the Wind-Rocking Stone and Guan Di Temple of Dongshan, and the ancient city wall. Within the northern gate of the old town, there is a fork in the road leading to Lotus Pond. Midway along this forest path, on both sides, stand two stone archways—one lower and one higher—facing each other. The lower one marks the entrance to the “Folklore Corner,” while the taller one is the entrance to the stele corridor. Ascending the steps and passing through the archway, you’ll see a long stele wall that gently follows the contour of the hillside. On the snow-white wall are inlaid ancient stone tablets that shimmer with a faint bluish-green hue. At intervals along the wall, square or circular openings have been carved out. The bases of both walls are paved with smooth bluestone slabs, forming a corridor that allows for viewing the ancient steles from both sides, creating an open and airy ambiance. The top of the wall is designed in the style of a hanging mountain roof, adorned with emerald-green glazed tiles that shimmer brilliantly in the sunlight. The wall extends either standing independently, leaning against large rocks, or hugging the cliff face, enclosing an almost square-shaped garden on the slope. Within the garden, the natural slope has been cleverly terraced into platforms of varying heights, arranged in an artful, staggered layout. Meandering pathways and steps connect the different levels. The terraces are covered with lush green grass, where natural rocks are preserved and dotted with colorful flowers and trees. At the northern end of the garden stands a young banyan tree, proudly towering opposite a poinciana tree at the southern end—one like a nobleman adorned with jade, the other like a flower-crowned maiden—both rising above the stele wall, creating a highly atmospheric scene.

　　The ancient steles in the corridor include proclamations, commemorative plaques, eulogies, boundary markers, local covenants, as well as epitaphs and tombstones of significant historical figures. Their content spans various aspects of Dongshan’s politics, economy, military, culture, and folklore during the Ming and Qing dynasties. These steles hold considerable historical and artistic value, serving as vital evidence, supplements, and references for the study of history.

　　Aside from their cultural significance, these ancient steles are themselves exceptional works of art when considered purely for their calligraphy and carving craftsmanship.