Mount Cuihua is located 23 kilometers away from the south of Xi An. It is actually the northern branch of the famous Qinling Mountains. The scenic region is known as “Geological Museum of China” and “the most beautiful place in Zhongnan” for its beautiful lakes and hills, and unique landslide landform. It consists of the Bishan Lake Scenic Spot, the Heaven Pool Scenic Spot, and the Landslide Landform and Grotesque Stone Scenic Spot. Rumor has it that a famous Taoist priest named Taiyi once lived in the mountain and later became an immortal. So the mountain used to be called “Mount Taiyi”. The scenic region covers an area of 1785 hectares in total, with a height of 2132 meters. In 1992, it was conferred the title of “Zhongnanshan National Forest Park”, and in 1997, rated “Ten Grand View of Xi An”.
The Heaven Pool is one of the most worth visiting scenic spots in the region. It is located on the flat top of the mountain, surrounded by a series of steep hills. The total area of the pool is around 5 hectares. It is also named “the Taiyi Pool” or “the Longyi Pool” (literally “the pool which dragon once visited”). The water in the pool is very clear and limpid, with the distinct reflection of the green hills on water, forming a picturesque lake scene. Because of the gorgeous scenery, the relatively cold atmosphere, and the legend of Taiyi, many emperors in Chinese history built their temporary imperial palace or held ceremonies for worshiping the Gods there. The emperors of the Han Dynasty established the Taiyi Palace there, and the empe
rors of the Tang Dynasty built the Cuiwei Palace. Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, once hunted there. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty once held Taoist rites there. And Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty used to spend his summer in The Heaven Pool. However, these palaces have been destroyed by natural forces years ago, such as winds and rains, only left some remains, like the Taiyi Hall to the south of the pool. It was the place where the emperors held ceremonies to pray for rain. Not only the emperors, but also many Taoist masters regarded the region an ideal place for residence. They built their own temple beside the pool, and spent their whole lifetime there as hermits. That is why you will see many temples around, such as the Temple of Lord Lao Zi, and the Temple of the Queen Mother of the West, if you visit the pool. Apart from the cultural attractions, the Heaven Pool is also famous for its miraculous natural landscape. There are many caves around the pool, such as the Ice Cave, the Wind Tunnel, the Cave of Lvgong, and the Cave of Yellow Dragon. Each cave is special and unique. The Ice Cave is called “Ice” because there are icicles in the cave all the year round, even in the sweltering summer. And the Wind Tunnel gets its name because cold wind always blows within the cave. It is formed by landslide. And to the southeast of the Wind Tunnel, there is a spectacular waterfall.
The natural beauty and cultural values of Mount Cuihua have attracted a large amount of tourists throughout the year, especially in summer. It is an ideal place for sight-seeing and avoiding summer heat. It is strongly advisable to visit the scenic region from June the 1st to the 3rd of lunar calendar. During that period of time, a grand temple fair will be held in temples on Mount Cuiwei.
Mount Cuihua Scenic Region Attractions
The Colluvial Deposits and the Boulders
Broken Peaks and Severed Cliffs
Mount Cuihua Scenic Region Story
As is introduced above, Mount Cuihua used to be named “Taiyi” after the great Taoist priest Taiyi. Then how did it get the name “Cuiwei” ?
It is said that, once upon a time, there was a girl named “Cuihua” lived in the JingYang County near the mountain. She was a very pretty girl, and a very good housekeeper. Her parents died when she was young, and her elder brother took care of her. After she grew up, she fell in love with a boy called “Panlang”, and married him secretly. However, her brother wanted to marry her to a wealthy landlord. He locked Cuihua in her bedroom and planned to send her to the landlord’s house directly. The night before the wedding, Cuihua broke down the door and ran to Panlang’s house. But when she tried to enter the house, a big dog appeared and barked at her. She was frightened. Since her brother would discover her escape soon, she decided to run into Mount Taiyi and hide temporary. So she tied stings she had brought with her to a tree beside Panlang’s house and went into the mountain, hoping that Panlang could get her soon by the string she left there.
Cuihua’s brother discovered her escape next morning. He was so worried that he and his wife looked for her everywhere. Panlang joined them later, but he didn’t notice the string. Several days later, a man who went into Mount Taiyi to collect firewood told Cuihua’s brother that he saw a fairy maiden sitting in front of a large cave on the top of the mountain, and she looked like Cuihua very much. Her brother than rushed into the mountain and found the fairy maiden. He recognized that the fairy maiden was exactly Cuihua herself. Just at the moment when he was trying to grasp her arm, an earthquake happened. In a minute he saw some other fairy maidens appeared and brought Cuihua to the heaven.
Local residents were deeply touched by Cuihua for her unswervingly love to Panlang. In memory of her, they changed the name of the mountain to “Cuiwei”. Now there is a statue of fairy maiden Cuiwei in a temple on Mount Cuiwei. Thousands of tourists visit there every year to worship her.
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