Fan Bingbing and Li Chen, who confirmed their relationship with a “we” photo, are now showcasing their romance in ways that rival the scorching summer heat, dazzling the world with their sweet displays of affection. Looking back at the “Stone Gate” scandal involving “Li Chen and his ex-girlfriends” from a couple of years ago, observers can’t help but sigh at the contrast — “only hearing the laughter of the new.”
Upon closer inspection, using “stones” to express one’s feelings in love is actually quite a romantic gesture. The tradition of “pledging eternal love by the Three Lives Stone” has existed since ancient times. In “The Peacock Flies Southeast,” the lines “Reeds may bend, but they will not break; rocks may be sturdy, but they never move” express fidelity and steadfastness in love. “Dream of the Red Chamber,” also known as “The Story of the Stone,” features Jia Baoyu, the “demon king,” who is in fact a true romantic at heart.
In China, the various forms of “stone” often give rise to an Eastern aesthetic full of poetic imagery. The Chinese have long pursued the state of “harmony between man and nature,” with Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism all favoring spiritual practice in mountainous and watery landscapes. The reverence for and exploration of nature have never ceased throughout history.
Shangrao Mount Ling Scenic Area, a “new face” along China’s “most beautiful high-speed rail line,” is a veritable “ocean of unique stones” that showcases stones in all their magnificent forms.
【Stone Figures as Guardians】
Ever since people became acquainted with Mount Ling, a stone formation resembling a human figure has been the symbol of the mountain and even of Shangrao as a whole. People believe this stone to be imbued with spiritual energy, a guardian deity of the land, hence the respectful title “Shiren Gong” (Stone Man Lord). Countless local myths and legends surround Shiren Gong, and nearby peaks, villages, and Taoist temples are often named after “Shiren.” During the Cultural Revolution in 1967, Shiren Gong was destroyed by Red Guards, leaving a deep scar in the hearts of the locals. In 1996, the community spontaneously raised funds to rebuild Shiren Gong. Stones were carried up the mountain one by one by manpower, and after more than a decade, the sacred presence of Shiren Gong was finally restored.
The restoration of Shiren Gong is the simplest yet most profound expression of the people of Mount Ling’s deep connection with the stones — the psychological identification born from nature’s wonders has evolved into a kind of faith.
(Photo Eight: Crystal Stone)
【Steadfast and Unyielding】
In 2015, the north-south Beijing-Fuzhou High-Speed Railway intersected with the east-west Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway at Shangrao in a cross-shaped junction, with over 150 high-speed trains stopping in Shangrao every day. In the future, a highway will link Shangrao High-Speed Railway Station with the Zuoxi Service Area of Mount Ling, and the upcoming Shangrao Airport is just 30 kilometers away from the scenic area. It’s clear that the development of Mount Ling holds both opportunities and challenges.
The road ahead may be thorny, but the people of Mount Ling will press on with the spirit of stone — steadfast and unyielding.
Finally, a message to Li Chen: if you’re going to give stones as gifts, come pick them at Mount Ling — there’s definitely one that’ll suit Fan Bingbing.