Xingzi Peak

Xingzi Peak stands north of Shengzhou City atop the summit of Sheng Mountain. Amid thousands of rolling mountains, this single peak juts abruptly skyward like an upturned dragon head, standing out majestically above all surrounding hills. Climb to its summit, and the entire landscape of Shengzhou unfolds fully before your eyes. Countless mountains encircle the peak, with Xinchang City seemingly close enough to touch. Gazing down at the land below, farmlands stretch out like colourful clouds spread across the earth, and villages cluster together like swarms of ants. Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds glimmer like scattered stars, interwoven with endless green woodlands and long embankments.

At the foot of Xingzi Peak lie Daiwang Village, the Tomb of Dai Yong, and the Oriole Listening Pavilion. Dai Yong was a great musician of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. His father Dai Kui was a versatile master who attained remarkable accomplishments in music, painting, sculpture, literature and many other arts. Drawn to the breathtaking scenery of Shengzhou, Dai Kui lived in seclusion along the banks of the Shan Stream. Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin repeatedly offered him high official posts and summoned him to court, yet Dai Kui remained unmoved. When the emperor dispatched local magistrates to press and coerce him into service, Dai Kui fled to Huqiu Mountain in Wu Region and took refuge at the residence of his close friend Wang Xun.

Wang Xun, courtesy name Xunzi, was the grandson of Prime Minister Wang Dao, a preeminent literary figure of the Eastern Jin who rose to the position of Vice Director of the Secretariat. Sympathising deeply with Dai Kui, Wang Xun and the celebrated general Xie Xuan jointly submitted a memorial to Emperor Xiaowu, after which the emperor revoked his imperial summons. Wang Xun then accompanied Dai Kui back to the Shan Stream. A few days later, Wang Xun departed to return to the imperial capital. As Wang Xun’s official barge sailed away down the Shan Stream, Dai Kui climbed a hillside to watch him off. In memory of this touching story, the local village was renamed Daiwang, literally “Watching Dai”.

Later, Dai Kui ascended all the way to the mountain’s peak and kept staring until Wang Xun’s boat vanished amid distant waters and white clouds. Overcome with grief at the departure of his bosom friend, he called out repeatedly: “Xunzi! Xunzi!” In the local Shengzhou dialect, the character “Xun” sounds identical to “Xing”, meaning star — hence the peak came to be known as Xingzi Peak, or Star Boy Peak.

To commemorate the sincere friendship between Dai Kui and Wang Xun, later generations built the Xingzi Peak Pavilion atop the summit. In the seventh year of the Chunxi reign of the Southern Song Dynasty, the renowned scholar Zhu Xi visited the pavilion. Captivated by the extraordinary mountains and crystal-clear waters, he exclaimed time and again: “The finest mountains and streams under heaven!” The pavilion was destroyed in later years, then reconstructed by Magistrate Zhu Yibai during the Ming Dynasty. Built entirely of stone pillars and stone beams, it features a lofty roof ridge and gracefully upturned flying eaves, blending striking beauty with solid durability, intended to stand eternally and bring blessings to generations to come.

After its restoration, the pavilion further enhances the scenic charm of Sheng Mountain. Amid an ocean of green foliage, the pavilion spreads its wings elegantly; its grey tiles and red timber frame complement each other brilliantly, beloved by literati and ordinary townsfolk alike. It has grown into a famous local scenic spot where people come to stroll on Pure Brightness Day, climb heights for the Double Ninth Festival, admire the moon at Mid-Autumn Festival, compose poems to express their sentiments, and gather with friends beneath the pavilion.