Three-Tier Cliff

"Peaks surge toward Longqiu Hill, winding undulating rock ridges unfold. Among them stands the most marvelous Three-Tier Cliff, lofty and towering like a noble official’s tall hat."

These verses were composed by Yu Shaosong in praise of Three-Tier Cliff. Located 15 kilometers southeast of the county seat, the scenic spot takes its name from its dominant peak, where precipitous rock faces rise steeply to form three stacked cave chambers resembling multi-story buildings.

Three-Tier Cliff boasts fantastic scenery and unique grottoes. The first tier cave is known as the Emperor’s Cave, so named because Zhu Yuanzhang once took refuge here during a crisis. Jagged rocks hang suspended overhead; though the cave itself is shallow, it perches on a precipitous bluff with an endless spring gushing year-round. A stone drum inside produces deep, resonant booms when struck, its sound reverberating all the way to the treetops.

The second tier features a spacious, hall-like cavern several zhang deep. Niches are chiseled into the rock walls, and halls built along the cave contour, including Lord Hu Hall, Arhat Hall and a Release Pond.

Carved into a sheer vertical cliff, the third tier cave is called Guanyin Cave, housing a statue of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Long-standing cultural heritage marks another highlight of the site. Buddhist worship here dates back to the Song Dynasty. Emperor Duzong of the Southern Song once dispatched envoys to offer sacrifices to the mountain. After ascending the throne, the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang bestowed upon it the title "Nation-Protecting Chan Temple". Li Shixian, Prince Shi of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, set up military camps here and mapped out battle strategies.

Surrounding Three-Tier Cliff lie a string of complementary scenic spots: Tiger Rock, Lion Rock, Snow Rock, Rat Rock, and the Seven Fairies’ Cave, stretching for miles. Fantastic rock formations and serene surroundings shape a natural landscape vividly resembling coiled dragons, crouching lions and roaring tigers. Standing atop the highest summit of Three-Tier Cliff, visitors command a panoramic view covering dozens of li in all directions.

The entire Three-Tier Cliff Scenic Area encompasses twelve distinct attractions, the most renowned of which are: Temple Hidden Among Perilous Crags, Secluded Bamboo Paths, Panoramic View from Immortal Summit, Dragons Coiled and Tigers Crouched, Unique Black Stone, Bright Moon Over Secluded Valley, Moonlight Sifting Through Green Bamboos, and Jade Pond on Floral Rock.