Ancient Zhijin City

The construction of Ancient Zhijin City began in the 5th year of the Kangxi reign (1666 AD). After Wu Sangui suppressed the Shuixi tribal regime, the former Tusi territory was brought under direct imperial administration, and Pingyuan Prefecture was established here. In the 22nd year of Kangxi’s reign, Pingyuan Prefecture was downgraded to a prefecture-level county. It was renamed Zhijin County in the 3rd year of the Republic of China. The scenic resources fall into three major categories.

For more than 200 years, from the founding of Pingyuan Prefecture in the early Kangxi era until the Revolution of 1911 overthrew the imperial system, successive prefectural and county magistrates encouraged local residents to build numerous Buddhist temples, Taoist shrines and other buildings. Nestled among mountains and rivers, these historic structures feature distinctive local styles. There were originally 85 Qing-era buildings in the old town, but only more than 20 survive after prolonged wars and human damage. The major temples are listed below:

God of Wealth Temple A Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Located on the central street of the county seat, it was built in the 48th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, adopting the traditional architectural style of the Yi people of Shuixi. The whole complex is laid out in the shape of a tiger. Its 36 roof ridges, 18 upturned eaves and 18 bronze bells are all multiples of the number nine. The building is covered with small grey tiles framed in red, green and black. This architectural style is unique nationwide, with only the Tianshou Pavilion in Japan sharing similar features.

Zhonglie Palace on Fish Hill A Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. It stands on an isolated fish-shaped hill east of the city. First built in the late Ming Dynasty, the compound includes the Black God Temple, glazed tile chambers, a library and a relief pavilion. The hill is shaded by thick trees, creating an elegant and tranquil setting.

East Mountain Temple A Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Construction started in the 8th year of Kangxi’s reign on East Mountain, a 60-metre sheer peak rising abruptly east of the city. The temple compound consists of the Vatican Palace, front tower, Guanyin Pavilion and Boxing Cave. Evening Bell over East Mountain is one of the Eight Great Sights of Zhijin.

Wenchang Pavilion A Provincial Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. Erected in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty beside the scenic Twin Ponds and Twin Mirrors east of the city, it has an elegant octagonal pyramidal roof with three layers of eaves.

Doumu Pavilion Situated on a small hill east of Yuehua Bridge in the northeastern part of ancient Zhijin City, it was built in the 6th year of Kangxi’s reign. This wooden building has a three-tiered hexagonal pyramidal roof with unique and graceful design. The former Shexiang Palace once stood here, and the ancient Shexiang Bridge (Yuehua Bridge) from the Ming Dynasty is still preserved nearby.

Longxing Temple Also known as Moon Water Nunnery, it lies beside the Three Ponds Embracing the Moon scenic spot east of the city and was first constructed in the 6th year of Kangxi’s reign.

The scenic area of Ancient Zhijin City is famous for its exquisite jagged peaks. The major hills are as follows:

East Mountain Located in the eastern urban area, it rises 120 metres, formed of mixed marble and bluestone. There are three layers of karst caves on the mountain, covered with towering ancient trees and more than 400 plant species. East Mountain Temple, a provincially protected cultural relic, was built along the hillside in the Qing Dynasty.

Fish Hill To the east of the city, 30 metres high, shaped exactly like a wooden fish percussion instrument. It features natural through-caves resembling fish gills, with sheer cliffs on three sides and only one access path. Dense foliage covers the hill, on which ancient buildings from the Ming Dynasty remain. It is also listed as a Provincial Key Cultural Relic.

Gui Peak Right in the city centre, standing 30 metres high. Stacked rock outcrops look like white bamboo shoots amid luxuriant ancient trees. It used to be a leisure retreat for government officials of successive dynasties, with dozens of inscribed poems and calligraphic works left by literati.

Pagoda Hill 0.5 kilometres south of the city, with an elevation of 150 metres. On this prominent hill stands the landmark Civilization Pagoda.

Ancient Buddha Hill 0.5 kilometres east of the city, 200 metres high. The mountain top forms a natural stone platform with fantastic views. Standing here, visitors can overlook the whole county seat. The Ancient Buddha Temple and Niu King Temple were built on the hillside.

Other well-known peaks include Snail Hill (Conch Facing Heaven), Golden Bell Hill (Golden Bell Resting on the Ground), Ox Nose Hill, Human Head Hill, Groove Slope and Five-Finger Hill.

According to a general survey conducted by the Zhijin County Tourism Bureau in April 2002, 85 springs of different sizes have been discovered within the 22-square-kilometre scenic zone of Ancient Zhijin City. Most springs belong to the Guancheng River system running from north to south. Others feed the Liangjiang River, whose source is the through-cave behind East Mountain, and the Huakua River originating west of the city. The most famous springs are listed below:

Huilongtan (Returning Dragon Pool) Located right in the city centre, it ranks first among all 85 urban springs with a discharge of 0.44 cubic metres per second. Besides supplying drinking water for the whole county, the overflow forms a waterfall. In 1963, Guo Moruo, a great master of Chinese culture, inscribed the pool’s name. Remaining historic buildings include the Dragon King Temple and Moon Viewing Tower.

Shuangyantang (Double Dyke Pond) East of the city, covering an area of 700 square metres with a water yield of 0.2 cubic metres per second. The water stays clear, warm in winter and cool in summer. Along the bank stand Wenchang Pavilion, Doumu Pavilion and the ancient General Yangsi Temple. It can accommodate 1,500 visitors daily, bringing an income of around 30,000 RMB in 2001.

Square Well South of the city, with a water flow of 0.15 cubic metres per second. It boasts abundant high-quality water. A Dragon King Shrine above the well receives endless pilgrims all year round.

Three Connected Ponds East of the city, covering over 1,000 square metres. Linked together and paired with the Moon Well, they form the famous scene Three Ponds Rolling with Moonlight. Ancient temples such as Longxing Temple stand along the shore.

Xiangshui Cave (Sounding Water Cave) Two kilometres west of the city, with a discharge of 1 cubic metre per second. Two caves face each other, where surging springs converge into a stream. The water gurgles back and forth with clear ringing sounds.

Yujing River (Fish Well River) Seven kilometres south of the city, with a flow rate of 1.5 cubic metres per second. It is the source of the Guancheng River.

Goldfish Pool Six kilometres south of the city, 5 metres high, 5.7 metres wide and 3.5 metres deep. Water gushes out from flat ground, crystal clear. Wild carps often swim to the surface. The pool can hold 500 visitors.

Maoshajing (Sand-Bubbling Well) Beside the road south of the city, spanning 10 square metres with a depth of 5 metres. Clear spring water keeps churning up sand beside ancient trees. It can receive 1,000 tourists per day and generated about 100,000 RMB of revenue in 2001.

Other famous springs include Black Fish Cave, Dragon Spring, Predestined Cave Spring, Black Dragon Pool, East Mountain Cold Well, Moon Radiance Well and Moon Well.