Introduction to Xiang'an Fragrant Mountain

When it comes to Xiangshan, people’s first reaction may be: “The one in Beijing?” But in fact, it’s Xiangshan in Xiamen—which was rated as a provincial tourist attraction last month. Xiang'an Xiangshan-Lvtang Scenic Area. A few days ago, reporters, accompanied by Section Chief Chen Lifang and Comrade Guo Wenwen of the Xiang'an District Construction and Tourism Bureau, visited this new attraction.

Along the way, Section Chief Chen kept telling us that this scenic spot has yet to be developed, and supporting facilities such as catering and accommodation have not yet been established, so we should not publicize it too much. But after the tour, we felt that this was a tourist attraction worth visiting, because Xiangshan not only has natural beauty, but also has rich folk culture, as well as the unique ancient pine forest in Fujian Province. As far as the current situation is concerned, it is especially suitable for self-guided tours and Self drive tour.

Zhu Xi’s name changed

Our beautiful tour guide Xiao Guo is a top student majoring in gardening and is also very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Xiangshan. From the Xiang'an District Government to the southeast, it's about 4 or 5 kilometers to Xiangshan. Along the way, Xiao Guo told us many legends about Xiangshan. For example, the origin of the name of the mountain was actually "Barren Mountain". Later, Zhu Xi came here to visit and found that the vegetation here was fragrant in spring and autumn, which was not what people imagined. It was so desolate, so it was renamed "Xiangshan" (in Hokkien, "Desolate" and "Xiang" have similar pronunciations). Going up the mountain road, the "Huiguo Wengong Temple" that comes to you is the place where Zhu Xi taught. There is a statue of Zhu Xi enshrined inside, which is a holy place for local students to worship.

The black-faced Patriarch Qingshui

Next to the Huiguo Wengong Temple is the magnificent "Xiangshan Rock" hall, which enshrines the black-faced Patriarch Qingshui and is very popular. Mr. Zhang Shenbao, director of the Xiangshan Scenic Area Management Committee and who has been associated with Xiangshan since 1968, said that this temple was built in 1127 and is now a holy place for believers from the local area, surrounding areas and Kinmen. , a temple fair is held here every year from the first to the sixth day of the first lunar month, with as many as 60,000 participants.

The plaques and stone carvings in the main hall are very old, and we all took photos in front of the hall. There are lifelike stone carvings on the walls on both sides leading to the inner hall, each with allusions, such as Jiang Taigong fishing. On the walls of the inner hall, the vivid stories of "The List of Fengshen" are painted, which contrasts with the carved beams and painted pillars of the palace.

The mountain spring that has been inexhaustible for thousands of years

After exiting the palace gate, turn right, and behind it is a mountain spring that has been inexhaustible for thousands of years. The two characters "Xianquan" are prominently engraved on the side of the pool. Xiao Zhou, who was also going there, rushed forward with a "wow" and was so surprised that he took the spring water with his hands and put on various poses for us to take pictures. I followed with a smile. Surprisingly, the spring water flowing on my fingertips was actually warm. It is said that this is a daily drink for monks in the temple. Devotees who come here to worship like to take some back home, believing that it can drive away evil spirits, eliminate diseases, and prolong life. The tea brewed from the fairy spring is also particularly fragrant. It's a pity that we didn't bring empty bottles, otherwise we really wanted to pack some spring water back.

The legend of the Lion Ball Stone

As we walked along the mountain road in front of the Xiangshan Rock Hall, we saw a huge stone from a distance, which looked like a lion's head. Xiao Guo told For us, this is the Xiangshan Lion Ball Stone, also called Guizai Tou, which weighs about 200 tons. Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a little ghost who often wandered around Xiangshan Rock, teasing the golden lion guarding the rock, and even doing evil things. Patriarch Qingshui refused to listen to his advice, so he used a paper order to suppress it here. The imp turned into stone, which is now the Lion Ball Stone. We climbed up and reached the back, only to find that the front end of it was actually a "line of sky". The cracked stone seams were slightly tilted, allowing only one person to hide. The stone wall was as smooth as if it had been split by a sharp knife. It was really breathtaking.

Visiting the Immortal Cave

Not far behind the Lion Ball Stone, there is a "platform" paved with huge stones. As soon as we boarded it, we couldn't help but exclaimed in unison: "It's so beautiful. "I saw an idyllic scenery in front of me. The low hills made the field of vision very wide. Dark green woods, light green fields and crystal clear reservoirs crisscrossed each other. To the southeast was the sea, and the Kinmen coastline was in my sight. The end of the journey emerged, and our excitement could not be described in words.

Xiao Zhou quickly called his friend, Xiao Xie was busy taking pictures, and Bao Zi sat down and breathed fresh air. But I just want to stay here and never leave.

Xiao Guo reminded us that there is a mysterious bottomless cave called "Fairy Cave" below, but the mountain road is steep and difficult to get through. As soon as we heard it, we became interested and immediately set off towards the goal. The mountain road is indeed difficult to walk, and there is even a relatively steep rocky slope, but it makes the journey more interesting. When we climbed to the "Immortal Cave" on hands and knees, we saw a narrow cave extending upward under three huge rocks that seemed to have been split. It is said that there is a thousand-year-old immortal spirit hidden in the cave, which often changes into a fairy. A beautiful woman confuses a young man. Unfortunately, it is daytime now, and we are not scholars. It seems that we have no chance to meet this beautiful fairy spirit.

Pine cones and sand turtles

On the way down the mountain, there were many pine trees on both sides. There were big and beautiful brown pine cones on the trees and on the ground. Xiao Xie picked one and gave it to me. To commemorate. Xiao Guo said that the ecology of Xiangshan is very well protected, which is why the pine cones can grow so big and complete. She also told us that the quality of the sand here is very good and the sand is very fine, so there is a special creature - the sand turtle. There were many cone-shaped holes on the white sand. Xiao Guo put a twig into the hole and dug out, and he pulled out many small gray-white creatures, which were flat like miniature versions of soft-shell turtles. Put it in the palm of your hand and they will bump into each other and crawl around, which is very interesting.

Lütang Century-old Pine Garden

After walking down the road from Xiangshan, the car turned left and entered a village. The pointed eaves of the houses in the village were raised high. Xiao Guo Tell us that this is Lutang Village. The villagers are all descendants of immigrants from other places. I heard that when they planted trees, they made the trees face the direction of their hometown, so the century-old pine garden is now there. We got off the car and walked among the pine forests. Sure enough, we saw patches of ancient pine trees all facing the same direction, with strong and powerful branches in different shapes. There are more than 260 ancient pines here, the oldest one is about 600 years old. Near the dense forest trail, there is a tall and beautiful masson pine, which is as shocking as a large bonsai. The most special thing is that from the side, it is really similar to the welcoming pine in Huangshan.

There is a cave deep in the dense forest

In addition to ancient pines, what you have to look for when visiting Lutang is the group of ancient banyan trees. Following the winding forest path, we came to a "secret valley" surrounded by several ancient banyan trees. Their tangled roots were intertwined, and their large and round crowns were intertwined, blocking out the sky and the sun. The "beard" hangs down, showing the age.

And an even more bizarre trip is yet to come. Following Xiao Guo, he walked among the lush ferns behind the "secret valley". When he was thinking about where this roadless road would lead, his eyes suddenly opened up. A large green grassland seemed to appear suddenly. Stretching forward under the "embrace" of towering ancient banyan trees on both sides, the golden sunlight casts mottled shadows on the grass through the dense leaves, and there is a small cattle grazing quietly on one side. Everything is so natural, quiet and simple, making people full of joy and relaxed like a paradise.

Friendly Tips

Transportation: Take the bus from the ferry to Xindian on the island, and get off at Xiang'an District Government. Then transfer to a motorcycle to go to Xiangshan Scenic Area, which takes about 15 minutes and costs about 3-5 yuan.

Catering: There are very delicious local farm rice, ginger duck, etc., which are of high quality and low price. It is recommended to return to the Taiyuan Hotel in the alley next to the district government for dinner after the tour. The chef's skills are good.

Construction Planning of Xiangshan Scenic Area

The Xiangshan Scenic Area is located at the southern foot of the Hongjian Mountains in Xiang'an. Relying on the rich rocky hilly landscape and surrounding stream landscape, it is planned to be an ecological reserve and natural landscape. Protected areas, historical protected areas, scenic restoration areas, scenic tourist areas and development control areas have the functions of sightseeing, leisure, culture, pilgrimage and other tourism functions, and will gradually develop into a comprehensive integrated tourist attraction, catering, accommodation, shopping and entertainment. Directional tourist attractions.