The cultural heritage of Lushan
Visits
892

a)Ancient Cultural Relice

About 20 cultural relices of remote antiquity have been discovered and these relice date from 3000 to 6000 years back.Lushan area,there are more tghan 600 cultural relics of middle ancient times.

Here is a list of major cultural relics of remote antiquity:

Name

Tingzi Dun Village Ruins of the Neolithic Age

Time

6,000 year ago

Location

Huang Long Shan Mountain(Yellow Dragon Mountain)Wusi Village at the southern part of Lushan

Main

Features

This area covers 2,145 square meters with a cultiiral layer of about l.5 t0 2 meters.Such stone implements as stone arrow-heads and stone knives have been unearthed.Among the unearthed pottery pieces are flat tripods,duckbilled tripods,printed potteries and hard and muddy potteries.

Value

It has proved that villages existed in this area 6,000 years ago.

Present

Condition

The cultural relics are now kept in the museum of Xingzi County.

Name

The Former Residences of Tao Yuan-ming

Time

365-427 AD

Location

Situated at the southeast foothills.the several home villagcs of Tao Yuan-ming existed as a result of Tao's moving several times during his life time.

Main

Features

 

One residence is at Lili(Chestnut Village),to the north of I_tjshan flot Spring.Now Tao's descendents still live there.The Drunk Stone with Zhu Xi's inscriptions can be found nearby.Another residence is at Mian Yang Shan Mountain,which is an extended moutain range of Lushan whcre Tao Yuanming's tomb and clan hall are located.

Value

Thev serve as important evidence for the study of Chinese liferahlrc and Tao's life.

Present

Condition

Well preserved

Name

Ancient Battlefield of Boyang Lake

Time

The Three Kingdoms Period;Yuan,Ming and Qing Dynasties

Location

It spreads over the northeast part of Lushan and the lakeside of Poyang Lake at the southeast foot-hills of Lushan.

Main

Features

1.During"the Three Kingdoms"period,platforms for issuing orders and assigning tasks were set up in Poyang Lake and Gan tang Hu(Sweet Pear Lake)respectivdy by Zhou Yu a Field Marshall of the State of Wu.

2.At the end of Yuan Dynasty,a battle took place here between Chen You-Iiang and Zhu Yuan-zhang.Lao Ye Miao(Master Temple)carved stone bears Zhu Yuan-zhang's calligraphy.In Wu Chen(an ancient town)you can find the ruins of the Wang Fu Pavilion(Waiting-for-husband Pavillion).Pastures for horse raising and horse catching,and Wen Shu Terrace etc.are also places of historic interests.

3.In Ming Dynasty,the troops,led by Wang Shou-ren fought against the rebel Prince Hao and a fierce battle took place there.Wang's troops once were stationed in Xingzi County.4.In Qing Dynasty,Zeng Guo-fan sent Peng Yu-Iing to Shi Zhong Shan in defence against the troops of the Taiping Heavenly kingdom.Zeng's troops were stationed at the Xingzi Port.

Value

Important evidence here can be used to study the Chinese history of ancient battles.

Present

Condition

Well preserved

Name

Fanzhou Yan(Boating Rock)Farming Hunting,and Fishing Relics of Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

Time

3,600 t0 3,000 years ago

Location

Shi Zhong Shan Mountain(Stone Bell Mountain)Fanzhou Yan(30 miles away from Lushan)

Main

Features

Located at the point where the Yangtse River and the Boyang Lake meet,it covers an area of 0.2 square kilometers.The unearthed artifacts from this area include pieces of sandy pottery,muddy pottery,printed hard pottery,primitive porcelain,cooking tripods,stone implements,bone implem-ents,and the bones of family dogs,red deer,river deer,cooking tripods,goats,cattle,pigs,turtles,trionyx sinensis,fish and clamshells.The totle number amounts t0 3152.

Value

It proves that Lushan is one of the areas where different cultures were mixed and is the dwelling place of the people of Yue nationality in Shang and Zhou Dynasties.

Present

Condition

The relics are now kept in Shi Zhong Shan exhibition hall.

b)Inscriptions on precipices and Stone Tablets

Now there are a little more than 900 stones with inscriptions in existence on Lushan.The earliest one carrys the calligraphy of the famous pastural poet in Jin Dynasty-Tao Yuan-ming.Most of the inscriptions on precipices were written by famous men ofletters,scholars,calligraphers,statesmen and artists.and some even by emperors.In recent times,foreigners also shared a part in the contributions of inscriptions on precipices both in Hanzi(Chinese characters) and in English letters(See photo 84-91).

Lushan's carved stones not only have a high value of appreciation,but also furnish the facts which may be of great help to the study of history.literatrue,religion,calligraphy and aesthetics.

The following lists provide the information of the major inscriptions on precipices of Lushan:

Name

Tao Yuan-ming Stone Inscriptions

Time

Jin Dynasty

Location

Yujing Mountain,at the southeast of Lushan Mountain

Main

Features

The inscription consists of four Chinese characters:"Ri Ying Xie Chuan"(Sunset on the Stream),which were carved on Ying Sh Ya(Eagle Cliff).Now these four characters can be clearly seen.According to the preface to Tao's poem Visiting Xie Stream.they were inscribed by Tao when he was 50 years old.

Name

Huang Ting-jian Stone Inscriptions

Time

Song Dynasty

Location

.Xiu Feng(Beauty Peak),San Xia Jian(Three Gorges Gully),Shi Jing Xi(Stone Mirror Stream)

Main Features

Huang Ting-jian is a famous Chinese writer and one of the four greatest calligraphers of the Song Dynasty.His contributions to the inscriptions on precipices of Lushan include:

1.The poem"Seven Buddhists'Chant",29 lines,written in 1091 A D,on the cliff of Kai Xian Temple

2.San Xia Jian"in the style of Li Calligraphy(80X116cm),carved on the huge stone near the bank of the Guan Yin Bridge(the Goddess of Mercy Bridge)inscribed in 1094 A D.

3."Shi Jing Xi"and its postscript form a 27-character inscription,written in 1094 A D,carved on the stone in the Shijing Stream(Stone Mirror Stream)behind the Gui Zong Temple.

Name

Mi Fu Stone Inscriptions

Time

Song Dynasty

Location

Qing Yu Xia(Black Jade Gorge)

Main

Features

Mi Fu is one of the greatest calligraphers of Song Dynasty and also a well-known painter.His inscriptions are:I."Di Yi Shan"(the First Mountain),carved on the stone of the north of Dragon Pond in the style of running hand.He wrote it when he visited Lushan in the llth century A D.2."Qing Yu Xia"(Black Jade Gorge),carved on the huge stone between Upper and Lower Dragon Ponds,inthe style of regular script.each character.beina as laree as 278X175cm.

Name

Zhu Xi Stone Inscriptions

Time

Song Dynasty

Location

White Deer Cave Academy,the Rock that the Drunkard Lay and other parts

Main

Features

Zhu Xi.a famous Chinese philosopher,educator,and scholar,contributed the following inscriptions:

1."Chi Bai Lu Dong Shu Yuan"(lmperial Order to White Deer Cave Academy)"Bai Lu Dong"(White Deer Cave)Zhen Liu(Cushion Current)'Zi Jie"(Self Purification)were all carved on the huge stones or cliffs in the Guan Dao Stream or along the banks.

2."Gui QuLai Guan"(Retire From Officialdom)in the style of Li calligraphy,was carved on the Drunk Stone in 1181 A D.

Name

Zhang Xiaoxiang Stone Inscription

Time

Jong Dynasty

Location

Yuyuan Pool

Main

Features

'Yu Yuan"was carved on the stone banks of Yu Yuan pond,each having a diameter of 175 centimeters.Zhang was a writer in Song Dynasty,a famous Ci poet.His inscription here gives the impression of vigor and power.

Name

Wang Shouren Stone Inscription

Time

Ming Dynasty

Location

Beauty Peak,Da Tian Ci(Big Heavenly Pool)

Main

Features

 

Wang is a famous philosopher and writer of Ming Dynasty with the following inscriptions:

I."Ji Gong Bei'(Achievements Tablets),was written in 1520 A.D.The 135 Character inscriptions were carved on the precipice of Beauty Peak.

2."Yie Su Tian Chi'(Spend the Night at Heavenly Pool),was a poem written in 1521 A D and carved on the Zhao Jiang Cliff near Heavenly Pool Temple.

Name

Li Mengyang Stone Inscription

Time

Ming Dynasty

Location

Beauty Peak,White Deer Cave

Main

Features

 

Li Meng-yang,a famous writer in Ming Dynasty,was among the seven gifted scholars in early Ming Dynasty.He contributed the following inscriptions:

1.A poem entitled'A Visit to Kai Xian Temple'and its postscript were written in 1511 A.D.The carved stone was now in Beauty Peak Temple.

2."A Revisit Story",which was made up of 43 characters,was carved on the stone wall of Dragon Pond.

3."Di Zhu'which means'wheststone",was written in about 1514 and carved on a firm rock in the midst of Guan Dao Stream.

Name

Wang Siren Stone Inscription

Time

Ming Dynasty

Location

Yang Tian Ping(the Level Ground for Looking at Heaven)

Main

Features

Wang Siren,afamous writer and painter,inscribed"Jing Lei Bu Ba"and its postscript,which consist of 13 Chinese characters and is of high artistic value.It was carved in 1625 A.D

Name

Emperor Kang Xi Stone Inscriptions

Time

Qing Dynasty

Location

Beauty Peak Temple

Main

Features

Kang Xi,one emperor of Qing Dynasty,copied a line from the WOfks of Mi Fu,a very famous calligrapher in Chinese hi tory.It was carved in 1707.s

Name

Feng Yuxiang Stone Inscription

Time

Republic of China

Location

Yuyuan Pool

Main

Features

 

He copied"Mohist Essays"in the style of Li calligraphy popular in Han Dynasly.Each character is as large as 900 square centi-meters.It was carved iii 1336.

Name

Jiang Jieshi Stone Inscription

Time

Republic of China

Location

Building No.180,Hedong Road

Main

Features

"Mei Lu",each character is 35cmX30cm in size.It wascaved in 1948.

The 300 tablets,still in existence on Lushan,were mostly written by celebrities through the ages and some were written in foreign languages.The contents of these tablets range from history,education,literature,religion,aesthetics etc.They are highly valued.

Here is a list of the major tablets:

Name

Carved tablets

Time

From Song Dynasty to modern times

Location

Lushan and its foothills

Main

Features

"Liu Ning Tomb Tablet"written by Li Chang,carved in 1050.'East Grove Temple Tablet",written by Li Yi,carved in 1337.

"Zhou Dian Xianren Zhuan"(Biography of the Immortal Zhou Dian)and"Ji Si Xian Poem"written by the founding emperor

of Ming Dynasty,inscribed by Yu Shinan,carved in 1393.

"White Deer Cave'etc.,by Li Meng-yang,carved in 1514.

"On Religious Cultivation",'An Old Book on the Doctrine of the Mean"."Preface to the Great Learning",written by Wang

Yangming,carved in 1520.

"Lecture Notes of White Deer Cave Academy",written by Zheng Ting-hao in 1553.

Imperial edit"Ci Jing Pavillion"by Shen Zong,carved in 1586.

"Beauty Peaks Temple",written by Kangxi,the emperor,carved in 1701.

"Snow-covered Pines",written by the prince Yin Qi,carved in 1708.

"Zhu Doctrine of White Deer Cave"of Zhu Xi.written by Dong,carved in 1738.

"Ode to White Deer Cave"by Zi Xia in Ming Dynasty,carved in 1861.

"Yellow Dragon Temple",written by Kang Youwei in Qing Dynasty.

Tombstone of the American missionary Absalom Sydenstricker(1931),who was the father of worldfamous woman writer Pearl

Sydenstrick Buck.

"Bi Gong Jing Zhi",which means reverence and respect,was inscribed to encourage the Chinese anti-Japanese army on Lushan in 1938.

c)Ancient Buildings

There are about 200 ancient buildings scattered among hills or at the foothills and most of them are in good condition.The earli-est ones were built during the time of Jin Dynasty.Guan Yin Bridge(the Bridge of the Goddess of Mercy)and White Deer Cave

Academy complex are among the most famous units of China's preservation cultural relics.

Here is a list of major ancient buildings:

Name

East Grove Temple

Time

Beginning in 386 A.D.

Location

At the Foothill of Xianglu Peaks,west of Lushan

Main

Feasture

There are following buildings in existence:Lotus Pond,the Grand Hall of Buddha,Ying Tang,Five Hundred Buddhists De-

scriples'Hall,Three Laughs Hall.Maitreya Hall and Scripture Platform.Hui Yuan Tomb is in the southern part of the

temple,which has been regarded as the earliest Chinese garden temple.

Value

An importance place for scholars to study the history of Chinese religion and the history of relationship between China and Japan.

Present

Condition

Well preserved

Name

West Grove Pagoda

Time

About 730 A.D.

Location

In the West Grove Temple,at the west foothill of Lushan

Main

Features

It was first built during the period of Jin Dynasty and repaired in the periods of Tang,Song,Ming Dynasties.The seven-storey pagoda is made of bricks with close-fitting eaves.

Value

It can be used to study the histories of Chinese Buddhism and Chinese literature.

Present

Condition

Well Preserved

Name

White Deer Cave Academy

Time

940 AD.

Location

At the foothill of Five-Old-Man Peak

Main Features

Lushan Chinese studies were established in 940 and was later revjved by Zhu Zi Eventually the academy became the ancient Chinese academic research center and got well-known not only in China.but also in South and East Asia NOW it consists of Worship Hall.Worship Gate.Imperial Document Pavillion.Ancetral Hall.Zhu zi Hall.Cushion Cushion fridge and

other buildings of Song.Ming,and Qing Dynasties.Beside.s these.hundreds of tablets have been inscribed since Song

Dynasty.it is now the national preservation uniL of cultural relics.

Value

It has much to tell about the histories of Chinese education,philosophy and Sino-foreign relationship.

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Guan Yin Bridgo(the Goddess of Mercy Bridge)

Time

1015 AD.

Location

San Xia Valley Xi Xia Peaks

Main Features

The stone single-span arch bridge is 19.42 metres long,4.33 metres wide and 10.67 metres high.The seven parallel archs and 105 tenon-fitted granite structure make a distinctive bridge.

Value

It tells a great deal about the development of the histories of Chinese ancient bridges and Chinese science.

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Tao Yuan-ming’s Tomb

Time

Jin Dynasty

Location

Mian Yangshan Mountain(the sounthern exended mountain ranges of Lushan)

Main Features

Tao Yuan-ming(365-427A.D)was buried here.The tomb was repaired in 1511 and 1736.

Value

It is the important cultural relic to the study of Tao Yuanming,a famous poet in Jin Dynasty

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Zi Yang Bank of Boyang Lake

Time

1102 AD.

Location

Xingzi Country,at the southeast foolhill of Lushan

Main Features

The bank was built of granites with an arrow shaped plan.The main part of bank is 8.7 meters wide,280.8 meters long and 2.4 meters high.The bank,,together with the back scarp,extends as far as 500 meters.It was built in 1102 and the earliest and biggest Chinese stone bank.

Value

It is of high value to the study of history of ancient Chinese ports and the history of ancient Chinese science and technology

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Imperial Tablet Pavilion of Ming Tai Zu(the first emperor of Ming Dynasty)

Time

1393AD.

Location

Brocade Peaks

Main Features

There is a stone-carved double dragon sunk panel in the pavilion with reliefs on foursides.The pavilion is 6 meters high,5.8 meters wide and long.On the front ledge was written“Yu Zhi”(Royal Assent)in seal characters.

Value

It provides the useful historical evidence in the study of histories of Ming Dynasty and Chinese gardens.

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Ci Jing Pavilion of Emperor Shenzong

Time

1586 AD.

Location

Yellow Dragon Temple on the top of North Mountain

Main Features

Four stone pillars support the roof with a double dragon stone-carved caisson ceiling.The table,with decorative patterns on the pedestal,was written by Emperor Shenzong

Value

It is significant to the study of the history of Ming Dynasty and the history of Chinese gardens.

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Dou Mu Pavilion(Old mother Pavilion)

Time

First built in Ming Dynasry.

Location

Heavenly Pool Temple

Main Features

Hexagonal in shape,the stone and wood structure is 7.75 meters high,6.1 meters wide.With a round cony top,it has the seal cutting“Xiang Wang Zu Ting”.

Value

It is of high value to the study of the history of Lushan and gardens in Ming Dynasty

Present Condition

Well preserved.

Name

Chan Master Gong Qian’s Tomb Tower

Time

1618 AD.

Location

Lushan Golden Bamboo Ground

Main Features

Chan Master Gong Qian(1540-1591)secluded at Golden Bamboo Groud for 12 years.His desciples built this tomb tower in 1618.As high as 3.2 meters,it covers an area of 218 square meters,with tablet pavilion,scxipture pillar and stone tower all in one.

Value

It proves to be of great help to the study of Buddhism in Ming Dynasty

Present Condition

Well preserved.

d)Chinese and foreign Villas,Other Buildings

There exist over 600 modern villas built by foreigners from 18 countries in Lushan area nowadays and most of them are of European style.These villa groups,upon the influence of American national park theory and English landscape,reflect the various architecture features which have become uniquc attractions of Lushan.“Mei Lu”and other three villas,regarded as key site of culturalrelics under state protection.

Here is a list of main villas and buildings of Lushan:

Name

Year of construction

Loction

Main features

Present condition

Mei Lu Villa

1903

180 Hedong Road

A China’s key preservation unit of cultural relics,the stonebuilt structure covers an area of 455.54 square meters and is regarded as the most typical western-style villa on Lushan.Both Mao Zedong and Jiang Jieshi spent some time here.(See photo 94)

Well presered

Fomer American Williams Villa(John Elias)

1902

359 Zhongba Road

As a national preservation unit of cultureal relics,the two-storey stone building has a construction area of 856 square meters.Zhu De,the late Chinese army’s commader-in-chief,lived here in 1959.(See photo 70)

Well presered

Former Russia Asiatic Bank villa

1919

124 baishu Road

The three-storey stone building is a national preservation unit of cultural relics.The late vice chairman of P.R.C Liu shaoqi stayed here in 1956 and 1961.(See photo 100)

Well preserved

Former A.M Sherman villa

1919

442 Hexi Road

Akey preservation unit of Chinese cultural relics the one-storey stone builing has a rich roof structure.George Marshall,the special envoy of U.S president,stayed here in 1946 and the late Chinese premier Zhou Enlai lived here in 1961.(See photo 101)

Well preserved

Former American Leggar Villa(Horase.R.Legear)

1921

68 Pulin Road

The stone,one-storey house covers an area of 239.43 square meters.The auter corridor is a dome-shaped pavilion.Song Zi-wen stayed here in 1946(See photo 98)

Well preserved

Former Swedish Missionary Society Villa

1905

367 Zhongjiu Road

The stone,one-story building has an open wooden arch corridor which is still in good condition.(See photo 102)

Well preserved

Former British J.S.Adams Villa

1896

175 Hedong Road

The central part of the building is of two storeys,but the two wings are onestorey structures.It has a construction area of 664 square meters.Mao Zedong lived here in 1970

Well preserved

The Villa of the Former Domestic and Foreign Missionary Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A

1896

176 Hedong Road

The one-storey,stone building was built in the shape of apartment with symmetric structures

Well preserved

Former Villa of Robe,Kinly

1932

239 ShangZhong Road

Stone-built,one storey

Well preserved

Former Villa of Pear 1 Sydenstricke Buck

1897

310 Zhongsi Road

Stone-built,one storey,it has an open-style sitting room.

Well preserved

Former Villa of James B.Cochran

1902

476 Hexi Road

The one-storey stone building has a simple appearance.Deng Xiaoping lived here in 1961

Well preserved

Former Finland Missionary Society Villa

 

1903

190 Hedong Road

Stone structure;one storey;single kiosk style with open corridors of wooden arch

Well preserved

Former Japanese Villa

1903

289 Zhongsi Road

Wooden Structure,one storey.

Well preserved

Former British A.H.F.Tdwardes

1906

108 Baishu Road

Stone structure;one storey;black stone tiles.

Well preserved

Former Swedish Carl Nelton Villa

1923

256 Hezhong Road

The two-storey stone building has charac teristic arch windows in the southern wall.

Well preserved

Former Norwegian Lutheran Church Villa

1900

349 Zhongliu Road

Stone structure,one storey,double kiosk style.

Well presered

Former Chinese Custome Villa

1902

365 Zhongba Road

Stone structure,one storey;outer corridors with woodn arch.

Well presered

Former Potugese H.Olireira and Ida Olireira

1923

58 Liangu Road

Stone structure,one storey,single kiosk style.

Well preserved

Former German Mary.D.Lipporte villa

1923

685 Henan Road

The Germen-style stone building has two storeys with steep roofs.

Well preserved

Former Wulu Villa

1930

742 Dalin Road

The two-storey stone building was cuilt in the style of Ancient European castle.

Well preserved

Former American Church of the Aesion

1910

283 Zhongshan Road

The mountain church reflects the style of European architecture,with 5 pointed arch windows on both sides of the building.

Well preserved

Former French Catherlic Church

1908

727 Xiangshan Road

The stone structure has a high facade with decoration of stone sculpture.

Well preserved

Former American Kuling School

1936

402 Hexi Road

The five-storey building was made of stones,with eaves of waving patterns.

Well preserved

Former British Medical Hall

1910

438 Hexi Road

The stone tower-shaped building has two storeys with rich roof structures.

Well preserved

Former Lushan Library

1934

No.2 Huolian Courtyard

The two-storey stone building covers an area of 1150 square meters and is of Chinese palatial architecture.

One 7th,July,1937,Jiang Jieshi delivered the speech of fighting against the invading Japanese army on a full scale in the building.

Well presered

Fomer“Chuan Xi”Study House

1936

No.3 Houolian Courtyard

The concrete structure is of western style,with four storeys in the front and three storeys at the rear,covering an area of 2000 square meters.It was enamed“Lushan Da Sha”(Lushan Mansion)in 1946.

Well presered

Former Lushan Big Hall Bank Villa

1937

No.1 Huolian Courtyard

The stone building is a good combination of Chinese and Western elements,with an area of 830 square menters.Chinese Communist Party held the meetings here in 1959,1961and 1970 respectively.Today it is called“the site of Lushan Coinferences”.

Well presered

Former Residence of Mao Zedong

1960

NO.1 Lulin Road

The stone and concrete structure has two storeys in the Chinese quardrange style,a compound with houses around a courtyard with an area 2700 square meters and it serves as the Lushan Museum today.

Well preserved

Former Villa of Lin Biao

1970

NO.304 Zhongsi Road

The one-storey stone and concrets structure covers an area of 500 square meters,with a huge natural stone in front of the villa.

Well preserved