Donghua Mountain

　　Donghua Mountain, also known as Zihua or Little Huashan, is situated on the southern part of the Zhongtiao Mountain Range, in Zhangshang Village, Weizhuang Town, Jiang County. In the legend, when young Shenxiang from the Western Sacred Huashan “split the mountain to save his mother,” as the divine axe came down with a thunderous “boom,” the earth cracked and rocks flew everywhere—one of them landed on the Zhongtiao Mountain in the southeastern part of Jiang County, becoming what is now known as Donghua Mountain.

　　The origin story of Donghua Mountain is certainly mythical, but people refer to it as Huashan mainly because it shares many similarities with the Western Sacred Huashan. The Donghua Mountain scenic area spans over twenty square li, with its main peak rising more than 1,700 meters above sea level. It features nine unique peaks and eighteen steep ridges, presenting a majestic landscape with perilous paths that echo the imposing presence of the Western Sacred Huashan. Yanwang’s Mouth is a famous treacherous path on Donghua Mountain. Climbing up here feels like ascending a ladder to the clouds. Steep cliffs loom ahead, mountain winds howl in your ears, birds chirp deep in the valleys, and pine waves roar—truly breathtaking. Even the elderly, weak, women, and children hesitate to proceed, and many young and strong also pause at the foot of the ladder. Its danger rivals that of the Western Sacred Huashan. Jingxin Cliff, located at the far end of the scenic area and commonly known as “Head-Chopping Cliff,” is where a deep valley suddenly cuts off the mountain ridge. The cliff stands sheer, as if shaped by supernatural forces. Looking down into the abyss can make one dizzy—a similarity to the “Repentance Stone” of the Western Sacred Huashan.  Donghua Mountain is as perilous as Huashan but also boasts its own distinctive charm. The Huashan Temple Complex sits atop Donghua Mountain, housing a total of twelve temples, including the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Goddess Temple, Medicine King Temple, and God of Wealth Temple—offering a bit of everything. Over the years, the site has enjoyed flourishing incense offerings, with pilgrims coming in an endless stream. During the temple fair period from the tenth to the twentieth day of the third lunar month each year, the offerings pile up like mountains and prayers resound like tides. A few years ago, twelve zodiac deity statues were newly erected below the Huashan Temple Complex, forming a small courtyard and adding a charming sight worth visiting.

　　Donghua Mountain boasts numerous scenic spots, most of which come with a touching legend. Down the mountain lies the “Immortal’s Footprint,” over a foot long, clearly imprinted on a piece of stone. Legend says that during the thriving days of the temple fair, Laozi was so drawn to the event that he left this mark. In the rocky cliffs at the back of the mountain is a cave called “Peach Blossom Cave.” Legend has it that Laozi, while visiting the temple fair, saw the lush green mountains, clear waters, and a secluded cave nestled among emerald willows and peach blossoms. He named it “Peach Blossom Cave” and once stayed there to refine elixirs.

　　Though many of the legends about Donghua Mountain’s sights are hard to verify, two real stories remain deeply engraved in the hearts of the people of Jiang County. On April 25, 1934, Cao Jinhai, the first county Party secretary of Jiang County and a revolutionary martyr, formed the first revolutionary armed force in eastern Shanxi—the Jiang County Red Army Guerrilla Unit—here. They grew their ranks through temple fairs and used the Huashan Temple Complex as their base to carry out activities, engaging in unyielding struggles against reactionary forces. The only perilous path from the back mountain to the mountaintop, “Sky-Reaching Trench,” also holds a tragic tale. Back then, a company of the 15th Army of the Kuomintang was stationed at the Huashan Temple Complex, using the terrain to their advantage and holding firm against repeated Japanese attacks. On New Year’s Eve, the Japanese, led by traitors, launched a surprise attack and succeeded by climbing up through the “Sky-Reaching Trench.”

　　Donghua Mountain is famed for its peril and celebrated for its wonders, with natural scenery everywhere you look. Lotus Mountain, Steamed Bun Cage, and Stone Lion Trembling Bridge are lifelike and take on countless forms. The hanging stone pillars, Immortals’ Cave, and White Cloud Cave captivate with either their grand rarity or mysterious allure. The hanging stone pillar stands straight on the cliff, about three zhang high (approx. 10 meters), resembling a giant bamboo shoot piercing the sky. Beside it, the Immortals’ Cave may be small, but its walls feature peculiar stones resembling humans, Buddhas, chickens, and monkeys—each form vividly realistic. The entrance of White Cloud Cave is halfway up the cliff face, and outside the cave, a flat stone bears inscriptions from 1,064 years ago. Though weathered by wind and rain, the characters “Third Year of Tianfu” can still be faintly made out. White Cloud Cave gets its name from the clouds; whenever the weather turns overcast or rainy, cotton-like mist spurts from inside the cave, slowly rising toward the ceiling and partially veiling the cave’s mouth. This cave has caves within caves, extending endlessly, with some inner chambers still too daring for anyone to venture into—leaving endless exploration opportunities for future adventurers.

　　Donghua Mountain is a natural treasure bestowed upon the people of Jiang County. Due to its high elevation, snow can still be found in the shaded areas even in June. Coupled with dense forests, fresh air, beautiful scenery, and cool spring water, it makes for an ideal summer retreat. The back mountain is covered in trees, while the front mountain is lined with hawthorn fruits. When autumn arrives and the hills blush red, the sounds of farmers from eastern Shanxi selling candied hawthorns fill the air. In winter, the mountains and valleys are blanketed in white, with “pear blossoms” dotting every branch. Following the tracks of deer, badgers, wild boars, and rabbits in the primeval forest, the joy of hunting wild game often thrills the hearts of hunters.

　　Climbing Mount Tai makes one feel the world is small; climbing Donghua Mountain makes one feel southern Shanxi is small. Standing at a high point in the Huashan Temple Complex and looking around, one truly feels as though embracing the thirteen counties of eastern Shanxi. To the east, west, and south of the mountain, rolling peaks surge like waves, encircling the main peak of Donghua Mountain, which resembles a battleship cleaving through the waves. The Yuanhun Tower stone pagoda at the mountaintop is like the ship’s mast. Looking north, the temple complex appears like the handle of a fan, the three dragons and six ridges like its ribs, and the entire front mountain like an unfurled paper fan. Gazing into the distance, fields stretch as far as the eye can see, lush and picturesque, while the Fen River shimmers like a jade ribbon, appearing and disappearing amid the mist—truly capturing the feeling of “clouds connecting three thousand li, mist veiling a myriad of homes along the Fen River.”

　　As times progress, the Donghua Mountain tourist area continues to take on new looks. Over the past decade, with unified efforts between the government and local communities, massive investments have been made to widen and build mountain-looping roads, cutting the uphill journey by half from the eastern side; constructing the “Mountain Gate” and “Suspension Bridge”—a steel cable suspension bridge; cement-stepped hiking paths; and more... As descendants of the people of Huashan, with the development of the times, Donghua Mountain will stand even more gloriously and colorfully on the ancient land of Jiang, opening its arms to welcome guests from all directions.