Fubo Hill (Wave-subduing Hill or Fubo General Hill) rises from the banks of the Li River. Standing as an isolated peak, half on the land and half into the water, it disrupts the water flow and waves coming forward. That is where its name comes from. Another explanation says that the Hill was named in honor of Ma Yuan, a Fubo General (an ancient official position, for a general who overcame adversities) of Han Dynasty, who passed the hill on his way to conquer the South. In Tang Dynasty, there used to be a courtyard on the hill named after him. Now, there are places of interests such as Guishui Pavilion (Guishui is another name of Li River), Tingtao Pavilion (Pavilion to Listen to the Wave Sound), Banshan Pavilion (Mid-Hill Pavilion), Huanzhu Cave (Returned Pearl Cave), Shijian Stone (Sword Testing Stone), Qianfo Rock (Thousand Buddha Rock), Shanhu Rock (Coral Rock) and more. Apart from that, visitors can see an over 1000 kg “Qianren Wok” (Wok Used to Cook for a Thousand People) and an over 2700 kg heavy bell in the hill, casted under the order of King of Dingnan’s daughter, mourning after his death.
Shijian Stone (Sword Testing Stone) in Huanzhu Cave (Returned Pearl Cave) is just next to the Li River. It is a large rock hanging from the ceiling of the Cave. The bottom of this incredible and abrupt form is only several inches away from the ground. According to the legend, the gap emerged when Fubo General hit the rock to test his sword. A lot of inscriptions and engravings o
n the rock wall can be found on this and other rocks (e.g. Qianfo Rock) in the Huanzhu Cave. In the ancient times the Cave was called “Fubo Wonderland”.
In the park of Fubo Hill, there are a few Paifang constructions (a traditional Chinese-style archway gate). The symmetrical constructions consist of three parts. They have firm ridge and sloping roofs covered with glazed yellow tiles. A decorative plaque is hung above the middle entrance, with characters “Fubo Wanzhao” on it, which means the dusk river scenery of Fubo Hill with boatman punting near the shore. A long couplet with 264 characters hangs on the four pillars, describing the beautiful “Fubo Wonderland” which adds up to the beauty of the park.
Fubo Hill Attractions:
Huanzhu Paviliion (Returned Pearl Pavilion)
Shijian Stone (Sword Testing Stone)
Qianfo Rock (Trousand Buddha Rock)
Fubo Hill Story
1. Huanzhu Cave (Returned Pearl Pavilion)
Huanzhu Cave resembles an illusory palace. Many tales about the cave exist. According to the one of them, an old Dragon was playing with a pearl in the cave. Someone took the pearl away when it fell asleep and returned it later on. The cave was named “Huanzhu Cave” or “Wanzhu Cave” (Pearl Playing Cave). Another story says that the Fubo General Ma Yuan returned in triumph after conquering the South. However, because of his good position in the court, he was falsely accused by his enemies of being bribed with a carriage of jewelries and hiding its content in the Fubo Lake, which glinted upon the pour of the jewels. Yet another explanation for the cave’s name exists. It is said that an old fisherman casted his net into the Fubo Lake. The net reached the underwater Dragon Palace and the fisherman caught the Dragon Pearl. He offered it to the county executive. The judicious executive recognized it to be a rare treasure and refused to accept the gift. He had the pearl returned to the Dragon Palace.
2. Shijian Stone (Sword Testing Stone)
Wandering in the Huanzhu Cave, you will finally reach its mouth. It suddenly becomes bright and you find yourself near the Li River. You will not miss a large rock right in the middle of the mouth. Thick on the top and thinner to the end, it stands like a stone pillar supporting the ceiling and bearing the heavy hill. However, the bottom of the rock is separated from the ground! The basin-like ground surrounding the stone is very smooth if touched. In the ancient times, it was described it as “a suspended pillar hanging from the sky.” It may seem like the column was cut with a sword from the bottom – it is said that the Fubo General Ma Yuan cut the stone with his sword upon setting off to conquer the South, to express his determination and lack of doubt in face of death.From the scientific point of view, the gap is just a crevice eroded by water. The whole column is nothing more than a product of erosion.
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