Ezhou Xishan is a famous scenic spot in the cultural landscape of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.
Ezhou Xishan, known as Fanshan in ancient times, was named Xishan because it was located in the west of the ancient capital of King Wu, present-day Ezhou city.
Xishan is located on the south bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, 68 kilometers away from Wuhan, a metropolis in central China. It borders the Yangtze River to the north, facing Red Cliff of Huangzhou; it borders Yanglan Lake to the south, connected with vast expanse of blue waves; it borders the prosperous downtown city to the east; it pillows the Baili Fanchuan River lingering in the west, with the river and lake rising from the ground. The Western Mountain has nine curves, nine peaks and six valleys, with mountains upon mountains, pines and cypresses covering the sky. Green valleys and red cliffs, waterfalls washing jade. The whole mountain is about 1.6 kilometers long from east to west and 1.2 kilometers wide from north to south. The main peak is 170 meters and the total area is more than 4,000 acres. There are six valleys on the mountain, connecting seven springs, three pools, a lake and two waterfalls. The groundwater in Xishan is of excellent quality and is inexhaustible all year round. The sweet and sweet Bodhisattva Spring and the crispy and delicious Dongpo Pancake are famous in Kyushu.
Xishan has a mild climate all year round, abundant rainfall, thousands of trees and lush flowers. The two peaks of Xi (Mountain) and Lei (Mountain) are like swords, the steep mountains and cliffs are like dragons coiling around, the mountains are flying, and the valleys are floating with clouds. Streams, springs and pools in the mountains are inlaid in Danyan Green Valley, pavilions, temples and pavilions are dotted among trees and flowers, winding bridges and pavilions are reflected in the clear stream and blue current, and green pagodas and red buildings are looming in the colorful floating clouds. The mountains are full of green vegetation, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, and the breeze is refreshing. It is a tourist and holiday resort for people to entertain their bodies and minds.
Xishan has a long history and many places of interest. The historical and cultural landscape featuring the former capital of King Wu, the cultural landscape represented by Sun Quan and Su Shi, the Buddhist cultural landscape represented by the ancient Lingquan Temple, and the natural landscape dominated by the Xishan Garden are ingeniously integrated and complement each other here. Xishan left behind the Three Kingdoms Wu king Sun Quan who governed the country, the Jin Dynasty eminent monk Huiyuan who practiced Zen, the famous anti-Jin gold general Yue Fei, and the famous figures Tao Kan, Yu Liang, Li Bai, Su Shi, Ouyang Xiu, Wang Anshi, Lu You, Peng Yulin, Zhang Zhidong and others here. There are many traces of preaching, martial arts and literature, hunting and feasting, and summer retreats. Some have become eternal scenic spots and are admirable. They left behind many popular and beautiful poems and calligraphy handed down from generation to generation, adding splendor to the treasure house of Chinese literature and art. The remains of Zhang Yuzhao, a master of calligraphy in the late Qing Dynasty, and Peng Chufan, a martyr of the First Revolution of 1911, are also here. During the Great Revolution, General He Long once led his troops to set up defenses in Xishan. After liberation, party and state leaders Dong Biwu, Wang Renzhong and other comrades visited Xishan many times. In the autumn of 1965, Marshal Chen Yi climbed to the top of Xishan and was filled with emotion: Xishan is no less than Lushan!
The main places of interest in Xishan include: King Wu’s Summer Palace, Wuchang Tower, Gulingquan Temple and more than 20 places.
Summer Palace of King Wu:
The palace where Sun Quan, King of Wu, used to study in Xishan during summer vacation. It was built between 221 and 229 AD. Here, the ground is covered with pine trees, gurgling mountain springs, and the temperature is high. It is 2
3 degrees Celsius cooler than the urban area. It has always been known as the cool place in Wuchang city. During the Taiyuan period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 376-396), the eminent monk Huiyuan took a fancy to this geomantic treasure and turned the foundation of the summer palace into Xishan Temple. In the 1990s, only one side hall of the Summer Palace remained, known as the Summer Palace.
In 1999, King Wu’s Summer Palace was moved to the top of the mountain and rebuilt, becoming another new scenic spot in Xishan. There are Han Dynasty-style antique buildings such as the Summer Palace, Reading Hall, Yizheng Hall, and Wuchang Tower, covering a total area of The area is more than 80 acres.
Wuchang Tower:
Standing on the top of the mountain, with the clouds reflecting the sun, it is tall and graceful. Climbing the tower and looking into the distance, you can have a panoramic view of the landscape of Ezhou and Huangzhou. Thousands of miles of Yangtze River, vast mist, hundreds of boats vying for the current, whistles blowing, mountains humming and valleys echoing, giving people a sense of vastness and majesty. The three characters "Elegant and Powerful Wuchang Tower" on the banner on the door of the building are the handwriting of Guo Moruo, a master of contemporary Chinese culture.
Gulingquan Temple:
Also known as Xishan Temple, it was built by the eminent monk Huiyuan during the Taiyuan period of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It is the birthplace of the Pure Land Sect of Chinese Buddhism. The temple has one hall (Manjushri Hall), three springs (Didi Spring, Hanxi Spring, and Living Water Spring), and six halls (Heavenly King Hall, Worship Hall, Main Hall, Guanyin Hall, Martial Hall, and Nianfo Hall). The hall is a brick and wood structure, with lotus brackets, cornices and ridges, and a colorful hall with red rafters, which is magnificent. In the main hall, dozens of Arhat Bodhisattvas are sitting or lying down, moving or still, with exquisite shapes and lifelike shapes.
Jiuqu Pavilion:
Located on the Jiuqu Ridge at the southern foot of Xishan Mountain, it is named Jiuqu Pavilion, which means the nine bends of sheep intestine. Jiuqu Pavilion was built during the Three Kingdoms period and was later abandoned. Su Shi, a native of the Song Dynasty, was exiled to Huangzhou. He crossed the river and climbed the Western Mountains to find the old site, expand the area and rebuild it. There is a yellow screen and red pillars in the Jiuqu Pavilion. On the front and back of the screen, there are Su Shi's poem "Wuchang Xishan" and Su Che's "Wuchang Jiuqu Pavilion" written on the front and back. In addition, landscapes such as Xishan Nunnery, Songfeng Pavilion, Cuijing Garden, Xiu Garden, Sword Testing Stone, Enthronement Altar, Tuigu, Shimenkai, and Pang Tong Reading Hall will definitely leave beautiful and profound memories for tourists.