Moon Mountain
1. Introduction
The Moon Mountain Tourist Area of Yichun City, abbreviated as Moon Mountain Tourist Area and also known as the Moon Mountain Hot Spring Scenic Area, is located in Yuanzhou District, Yichun City, Jiangxi Province. It is a mountainous scenic area integrating "ecological sightseeing, leisure vacation, science education, and religious tourism."
The Moon Mountain Tourist Area has a planned area of 136 square kilometers, with a core area of 80 square kilometers. The tourist area is divided into five scenic zones and one resort area: the Tanxia Scenic Zone, characterized by the Cloud Valley Waterfall and Thousand-Zhang Cliff; the Taiping Mountain Scenic Zone, known for the Taiping Mountain sunrise, alpine meadows, and peculiar peaks and rocks; the Tangjiashan Scenic Zone, featuring the Wuyun Cliff and its meteorological wonders; the Yangshan Scenic Zone, centered on Zen Buddhist culture and folk customs; the Yujing Mountain Scenic Zone, distinguished by rare flora and fauna and wilderness charm; and the Wentang Hot Spring Resort Area, focused on hot spring therapy, vacationing, leisure, and entertainment.
In 2015, the Moon Mountain Tourist Area of Yichun City was officially recognized as a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction by the National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China. It became the first such attraction in Yichun City and the eighth in Jiangxi Province.
2. Geographical Environment
2.1 Location and Territory
The Moon Mountain Tourist Area of Yichun City is located 31 kilometers southwest of Yuanzhou District, Yichun City, Jiangxi Province.
2.2 Topography and Landforms
Moon Mountain is composed of dozens of mountain ridges, including Taiping Mountain, Wuyun Rock, Gungu Ridge, Jijian Peak, Laoshan, Muping Mountain, Zenggai Peak, and Jiyun Peak. It is a branch range of the Wugong Mountain system, with its main peak, Taiping Mountain, reaching an altitude of 1,736 meters.
2.3 Climate Characteristics
The Moon Mountain Tourist Area of Yichun City enjoys a subtropical humid monsoon climate. It features unique landscapes, a mild climate, with an average annual temperature around 12–15°C, and an average annual precipitation of 1,800–2,000 mm. This environment supports diverse plant and animal life, earning it the reputation of a "natural zoo" and "plant kingdom." Within the area, secluded fragrances linger, greenery thrives year-round, dense forests and tall bamboos flourish, clouds roll and mist swirls, condensing into rain and seeping out as springs. The sound of streams echoes through mountain valleys. The scenic area is lush and green with fresh air; the negative ion concentration on the mountain reaches over 70,000 per cubic centimeter, 35 times the national standard, earning it the title "natural oxygen bar."
3. Main Attractions
3.1 Taiping Mountain Scenic Zone
3.1.1 Alpine Meadows
The alpine meadows are mainly concentrated in the Taiping Mountain area of Moon Mountain. Due to the rising terrain and vertical changes in climate zones, the vegetation on Moon Mountain exhibits vertical distribution. Peaks above 1,600 meters are primarily covered with meadows dominated by cogon grass, forming the unique alpine meadow landscape of Moon Mountain.
3.1.2 Taiwan Pine
Over ten thousand mu (approx. 667 hectares) of pine trees grow contiguously near Taiping Mountain. Distinct from the Guest-Greeting Pine of Huangshan and the Five Pines of Mount Tai, they possess their own unique characteristics. The Taiwan Pine is endemic to China's subtropical regions and holds significant scientific and economic value. Forestry experts' field surveys confirm that from Moon Mountain's Yuhuang Hall, Zhongyintang, Xuezhu'ao to Banjiaojian, spanning over ten li (approx. 5 km) and covering about 733.3 hectares, this area boasts the largest, best-growing, and most uniformly forested stand of its kind in the country.
3.1.3 Qingyun Plank Walk
The Qingyun Plank Walk is situated on sheer cliffs. Stretching about 3,100 meters, it winds dramatically along the precipice, rising and falling, offering a spectacular view. Walking on the plank path, one looks down into a bottomless abyss. It is an excellent spot for viewing the sea of clouds and sunrise.
3.2 Tanxia Scenic Zone
3.2.1 Wuxian Lingguan Temple
Located at the entrance of the Tanxia Scenic Zone, the Wuxian Lingguan Temple covers an area of less than 2 square meters. Research indicates it was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, over 400 years ago. The temple houses five palm-sized Bodhisattva statues. Couplets are carved on both sides of the temple gate: the upper scroll reads "Shrine built beneath the flying waterfall," the lower scroll reads "Grace bestowed upon the Buddhist stream," and the horizontal plaque reads "Lingguan Temple."
3.2.2 Lion Peak
Less than 500 meters from the Cloud Valley Waterfall stands a prominent and peculiar peak. When visitors face south and look north at this peak, it resembles a giant, roaring long-haired lion. When viewed facing north, one surprisingly discovers the long-haired lion carrying a cub on its back, followed by a lively, playful little lion. Local villagers call this peak Lion Peak.
3.2.3 Cloud Valley Waterfall
The Cloud Valley Waterfall is one of the Eight Scenes of Yichun and a premier attraction of the Tanxia Scenic Zone. The waterfall system consists of five levels: Cloud Valley Waterfall, Linglong Waterfall, Yulin Waterfall, Yulong Waterfall, and Feilian Waterfall. The water originates from the foot of Taiping Mountain at an altitude of 1,735.6 meters. The Cloud Valley Waterfall is the first level, with a drop of 119.57 meters. On the left side of the waterfall, about 70 meters high, the cliff inscription "Cloud Valley Waterfall" was written by Shen Peng, Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association. The characters are four meters square and took eight months to carve. The waterfall is named for being "often amidst mist and rosy clouds, its spray always playing with rainbows." "Rainbows reflecting on the pool on sunny days, mist shrouding the green mountains on rainy days" vividly depicts its scenery. Scholars throughout history have composed over fifty poems about it. Viewed from the opposite cliff, the silver waterfall, layered peaks, and forest sea complement each other, forming a splendid landscape painting.
3.2.4 Seven-Colored Stream
Hidden deep in dense forest, the Seven-Colored Stream murmurs softly, surrounded by exotic flowers, rare herbs, and ancient towering trees with captivating fragrances. When sunlight filters through the leaves onto the stream's pools, the water surface shimmers with dazzling, colorful ripples, hence the name. There is a pool in the stream with clear water, a smooth, flat bottom, and an area of about 7 square meters. Legend says Empress Xia of Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty was from Xiajiafang at the foot of Moon Mountain. Before entering the palace, she often bathed in this pool, so later generations also call the Seven-Colored Stream the "Imperial Consort's Bathing Pool."
3.2.5 Chessboard Rock
Located northeast in the Tanxia Scenic Zone, there is a relatively flat, square stone slab supported by an arching rock below, accompanied by two stone stools, resembling a square chessboard, hence the name Chessboard Rock. Legend says it was where Lü Dongbin played chess.
3.2.6 Flower Stream
The Flower Stream is located on the south side of the Tanxia Scenic Zone, upstream of the Thousand-Zhang Cliff Waterfall in a deep bamboo forest. A small stream meanders through the mountains, tinkling softly. Downstream, there is a clear, emerald pool. Moss and vines cover the rocks by the stream, tree shadows dance, mountain flowers bloom brilliantly, and secluded fragrances waft, hence the name "Flower Stream."
3.3 Tangjiashan Scenic Zone
3.3.1 Ice Age Bizarre Stone Forest
The Bizarre Stone Forest features incredibly strange and ingeniously crafted rocks. Archaeologists confirm it is a glacial epoch relic with a history of over 100 million years.
3.3.2 Jianghu Ancient Path
The ancient path of Zen Buddhism's "roaming Jianghu" passes through Tangjiashan. It was the shortest route from Master Mazu's site in Nanchang, Jiangxi to Master Shitou Xiqian's site on Mount Heng (Nanyue) in Hunan. The entire path is paved with bluestone slabs. In ancient times, there was no road from Yichun to Ji'an Anfu; Tangjiashan was the nearest and shortest route. Goods like salt transported to Ji'an Anfu passed through here.
3.4 Yangshan Scenic Zone
3.4.1 Yangshan Qiyin Chan Temple
In the first year of the Huichang era of the Tang Dynasty (841 AD), the eminent monk Huiji came from Weishan to Yangshan in Yichun. He cleared brushwood and built the "Yangshan Temple" to preach, becoming known as Master Yangshan. Founded by Masters Lingyou of Weishan and Huiji of Yangshan, the school became known as the "Weiyang Sect," the foremost of the five Southern Chan schools of Chinese Zen Buddhism.
Initially called "Yangshan Temple," due to Emperor Wuzong's persecution of Buddhism, Huiji once lived in seclusion elsewhere. During the Dazhong era of Emperor Xuanzong, it was renamed "Qiyin Temple." By the early Song Dynasty, it was renamed "Taiping Xingguo Temple." In the seventh year of the Dade era of the Yuan Dynasty (1304 AD), the temple was destroyed by fire. The abbot, Master Xiling, raised funds for reconstruction, which took eight years. The new temple was completed in the first year of the Huangqing era of the Yuan Dynasty (1312 AD) and was bestowed the name "Taiping Xingguo Chan Temple." It comprised 28 structures including halls, pavilions, towers, monastic quarters, storehouses, and kitchens, with upturned eaves, bracket sets, carved beams, and painted pillars, presenting a magnificent sight. After the Ming and Qing dynasties, the temple experienced repeated cycles of prosperity and decline, gradually shrinking in scale.
Its final reconstruction was in the eleventh year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1832 AD), when it was renamed "Xingguo Ancient Temple." The temple faces south and is divided into upper and lower halls. The upper hall is the Mahavira Hall, housing camphorwood-carved, gold-decorated, and colorfully painted Buddha statues. In ancient times, this temple was one of the main attractions for visitors to Yichun.
3.4.2 Yangshan Pagoda Forest
The Yangshan Pagoda Forest is located west of Dongnan Village, Hongjiang Township, south of the city, at the foot of Yangshan. Here, there are pagoda tombs from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, distributed across eight hilltops including Tawo, Wangxing, Huxing, and Jiyun Peak, totaling over 100. These pagoda tombs hold very high value for researching the Weiyang Sect, one of the five major Zen schools in China. In 841 AD, Master Huiji, one of the founders of the Weiyang Sect, came to Yangshan and founded the "Qiyin Temple." Subsequently, seekers came continuously to receive ordination, making Yangshan the birthplace of the Weiyang Sect.
3.4.3 Yangshan Snow Accumulation
One of the ancient Eight Scenes of Yichun, located on Jiyun Peak at an altitude of 1,034 meters in Dian Shang, Dongnan Village, Hongjiang Township. The climate here is unique, with year-round mist and clouds. Snowfall can occur even in early spring and midsummer, and accumulated snow often lasts for dozens of days without melting. As autumn turns to winter, whenever the weather changes and temperatures drop, snow piles appear on Jiyun Peak, cloaking it in silver and making it exceptionally dazzling. In the depths of winter, it becomes a jade-carved, crystal-clear, and多姿多彩的雪山, hence the name "Yangshan Snow Accumulation."#### 3.4.4 Yangshan Flying Waterfall The Snow Valley Pool is the most famous feature of the Yangshan Flying Waterfall. According to the Yichun County Annals, since the Jin Dynasty, the Dragon King of Yangshan, whose "temples and worship spread across nearly half the empire" (as stated by Yuan Dynasty historian Cheng Jufu), resided in this pool. The Snow Valley Pool, also known as the Three Cauldron Pool or the Otter Path Pool, is situated at the foot of Jiyun Peak. It is deep, clear, and extremely cold, renowned far and wide. The Yangshan waters flow over the Flying Water Cliff to form a waterfall that plunges into the pool. Because the waterfall cascades down, creating a mist that fills the valley resembling piled snow, and as the water is "extremely cold, unsuitable for washing even in midsummer," it earned the name "Snow Valley Pool." The waterfall cascading into this pool is over thirty meters high and more than twenty meters wide, presenting a magnificent spectacle.
In the fourth year of the Shaoxi era (1193) of the Southern Song Dynasty, the poet Xin Qiji visited Yangshan with friends, tracing the stream to its source. He left an inscribed stone at the Snow Valley Pool, which reads: "Xin Qiji (style name You'an) of Jinan, Zhang Zhongchu (style name Zizhong) of Bingmen, and Yu Yuru (style name Chengzhi) of Daliang intended to trace the stream to its source but turned back here. Inscribed on the 22nd day of the third month, the fourth year of Shaoxi (1193) of the Southern Song Dynasty."
3.4.5 Yangshan Stone Turtle
At the foot of Mingyue Mountain, beside Dongnan Village in Hongjiang Township, there is a small river no wider than ten meters. Due to its narrowness, locals do not call it a river but a stream, named Danxi. In the middle of Danxi lies a massive stone turtle, its head raised looking upstream and its tail pointing downstream, as if attempting to climb upward.
3.4.6 Yangshan Ancient Temple
The Yangshan Ancient Temple, also known as the Yangshan Ancient Shrine or the Fuhui Ancient Shrine, is located in Gumiao Village at the southern foot of Yangshan Mountain. It was the renowned incense-burning site for the Dragon King of Yangshan in ancient times and the birthplace of various Dragon King deities worshipped in surrounding prefectures and counties. The deities of Yangshan are two legendary divine dragons. As early as the reign of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, a shrine was established in the valley of Yangshan Mountain, commonly called the "Ancient Temple." The Yichun County Annals records: "The Dragon King of Yangshan possesses vast divine power; in the mountain, he is a dragon, emerging he takes human form. Beside the Yangshan Ancient Temple lies the Otter Path Pool, also called the Dragon Pool or the Spirit Pool. Its waters are deep, clear, and extremely cold, unsuitable for washing even in the heat of summer. It is the dwelling place of the divine dragons of Yangshan." During the Huichang era of the Tang Dynasty, the "Yangshan Ancient Temple" was officially established by imperial decree. By the Northern Song Dynasty, the highest rulers elevated its status, first conferring upon it the title "King." In the second year of Yuanfu (1099) of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was further granted the name "Guardian of the State, Fuhui Zhenren" (True Man of Trust and Grace). Huang Tingjian wielded his brush to write the plaque "Fuhui" for it. In former times, the Dragon King of Yangshan was a deity who "bestowed rain and dew upon the region." Later, with the addition of imperial inscriptions, its fame grew greatly. Consequently, Yangshan became the guardian mountain of Yichun Commandery or Yuanzhou Prefecture. It was explicitly stipulated that each spring and autumn, the prefectural leaders would routinely offer sacrifices twice at the Dragon King Temple of Yangshan. When newly appointed prefectural officials arrived in Yichun or when floods or droughts occurred, they also had to go to burn incense, kowtow, and pray. For example, after Han Yu assumed the post of Prefect of Yuanzhou in the first month of the 15th year of Yuanhe (820) of the Tang Dynasty, he went to Yangshan multiple times to pray for rain and composed "Prayer for Rain at Yangshan" and "Thanksgiving for Rain." Prominent officials, dignitaries, and literati who came to Yichun would visit Yangshan to see the ancient temple, some even composing essays or poems to express their impressions and sentiments.
Because the Yangshan Ancient Temple was located remotely, making it inconvenient for city dwellers to pray, during the Guangde era (763–764) of the Tang Dynasty, Yuanzhou Prefect Yan Yu divided the incense fire and established a "Southern Temple" at Dutian, thirty li south of the city wall, also called the "Yangshan Main Temple." During the Song Dynasty, the Yangshan Main Temple received the imperial plaque "Fuhui," hence it was also called the "Fuhui Main Shrine" (or Fuhui Main Temple). However, city residents still found it inconvenient to visit the Southern Temple. In the second year of Jianyan (1128) of the Southern Song Dynasty, Jin soldiers invaded Yichun City. It was said that two deities wearing yellow clothes, holding weapons, and riding white horses were seen fighting the Jin soldiers back and forth on the city walls. The Jin soldiers were terrified out of their wits. Therefore, people said this was the manifestation of the two Dragon Kings. Consequently, in the early Shaoxing era (1131–1162) of the Southern Song Dynasty, a "Yangshan Traveling Shrine" was built at Yichun Terrace. In the first year of Chunxi (1174) of the Southern Song Dynasty, the shrine was converted into a hall, which is the predecessor of the current building atop Yichun Terrace.
3.5 Wentang Hot Spring Resort Area
3.5.1 Wentang Hot Spring
The Wentang Hot Spring is located in Wentang Town, 15 kilometers southwest of the city, with a history of over 800 years of utilization. The Yuanzhou Prefecture Annals from the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty records: "The air is warm as soup, suitable for bathing in winter. A raw chicken egg thrown in cooks immediately. There are still fish in the water." The hot springs are distributed over an area of 0.8 square kilometers within Wentang Township. The center of the geothermal hot spring is at an elevation of 168 meters, gushing out from granite 470 meters underground. The daily flow of the spring water reaches 700 tons, with an average temperature consistently maintained between 68–72°C year-round. The source flows continuously throughout the four seasons without significant seasonal variation. According to national appraisal, testing, and analysis by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, it is a high-yield, high-temperature, high-quality mineral spring. The Wentang Hot Spring contains no sulfur odor; the water is colorless, odorless, pure in taste, and rich in selenium, metasilicic acid, and over 20 other trace mineral elements highly beneficial to human health, classifying it as a selenium-rich hot spring.
3.5.2 Ancient Hot Spring Well
During the Shaoding era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Chan Master Dingyuan traveled to Wentang. Walking to Longpo Ridge, he found the area surrounded by beautiful, uniquely shaped mountains, interconnected fields, and shaded by dense forests and tall bamboo. A small stream meandered through the landscape, its clear water babbling. Beside the stream was a hot spring, bubbling like pearls. Drinking it refreshed the heart; bathing in it moistened the skin. Knowing it had the effects of detoxification, health promotion, and healing illnesses, he raised funds to build a well around the spring, construct bathing pools, and establish a monastery (commonly called Dingguang Temple or Wentang Monastery). Here, he chanted scriptures and practiced the Dao, regularly drinking and bathing in the spring. Chan Master Dingyuan lived to a great old age, remaining physically and mentally healthy. Later, the well and pools were renovated several times, benefiting people far and wide. To commemorate the merits of the founder and donors, this stele inscription was specially carved. Established in autumn of the fourth year of Jingding (1264) of the Southern Song Dynasty.
4. Cultural Legends
Yungu refers to Empress Chenggong Xia, about whom a beautiful legend circulates: Yungu's childhood name was Mingyue. Her family was poor, making a living by gathering firewood and farming. Not only was Yungu beautiful, but she was also clever and skillful, proficient in all farm work such as transplanting rice seedlings, gathering firewood, weaving bamboo ware, and weaving cloth. When Xia Yungu was sixteen years old, the emperor sent people across the country to select beautiful women for the palace. A eunuch surnamed Zhang was dispatched to Yichun to oversee the selection. On his journey, Eunuch Zhang decided not to let anyone guide him and even loosened his horse's reins, letting it go wherever it wished. The horse headed straight for Mingyue Mountain. When passing over a stone arch bridge (now called Kneeling Horse Bridge) near the Xia family home, the horse suddenly knelt on the bridge, nearly throwing Eunuch Zhang off. He whipped it several times, but the horse still refused to stand up. Puzzled, Eunuch Zhang muttered to himself, "Could there be an imperial consort here? If so, you wretched horse, stand up immediately and neigh three times." Strangely, as soon as he finished speaking, the horse stood up with a start and neighed three times towards the sky. At that moment, Eunuch Zhang noticed a girl herding ducks by the river, wearing clothes patched over patches and a tattered bamboo hat. Just then, a gust of wind blew off the girl's hat. She was Xia Yungu. Eunuch Zhang asked, "May I ask your name, young lady?" Xia Yungu smiled and replied, "My name sometimes rests on the mountainside, sometimes hangs from the treetops, sometimes resembles a round mirror, sometimes a crescent blade." Seeing that the girl was not only beautiful and charming but also witty and clever, Eunuch Zhang selected her for the palace. Upon first entering the palace, Yungu caught the eye of the Empress Dowager, who chose her as a personal maid. The year before Crown Prince Zhao Shen ascended the throne, his crown princess passed away. On the Empress Dowager's order, this intelligent and beautiful maid by her side was married to the crown prince. When Zhao Shen ascended the throne as emperor, Yungu immediately became the principal consort, enfeoffed as empress. Emperor Zhao Shen doted greatly on Empress Xia and specially erected a memorial archway for her beside the drum tower in Yichun City. He decreed that "civil officials must dismount from their sedan chairs, and military officials must dismount from their horses when passing by." Empress Xia, being considerate of her subjects, found this etiquette too cumbersome and ordered the archway moved to her hometown—the Xia family home. Because of that archway, the Xia family home was later renamed Xiajiafang. Mingyue Mountain also derived its name from Empress Xia's childhood name, Mingyue.
Comments
Post a Comment