Jinyun Mountain Attractions

Jinyun Mountain is located on the bank of Wentang Gorge of Jialing River in Beibei District of Chongqing. It was called Bashan Mountain in history. It is a natural scenic area at the state level with a total area of 76 square kilometers and a height of 350 meters to 951 meters. Jinyun Mountain is abundant in natural attractions as well as cultural attractions.

Attractions of Jinyun Mountain - Baiyun Bamboo Sea

Baiyun (white clouds) Bamboo Sea locates on the southeastern slope of Jinyun Mountain. It is named after the Baiyun (white cloud) Taoism Temple in it. The total area of the bamboo forest is about 5000 mu (1 mu= 666.67 square meters). The species of the bamboos include sinocalamus affinis, phyllostachys pubescens, bitter bamboo and mottled bamboo etc. With the ancient winding paths, dark green bamboos and several cottages disappear and reappear again, the sceneries in the bamboo sea are really tranquil and picturesque.

Attractions of Jinyun Mountain - Dai Lake

"Dai" is a black pigment used by women in ancient times to paint their eyebrows. Since water in the lake is so dark green that it looks like the color of "Dai", it was called "Dai Lake" in 1930 by the Jiangjin poet, Wu Fangji. In 1935, the calligrapher Ouyang Jian autographed "Dai Lake" for it. In 1955, the lake dam was rebuilt. Now, the area of the lake has reached 30 mu (1 mu=666.67 square meters) with over 120 kinds of algae plants in the water. It is an important protection base for the freshwater algae plants and a perfect place for fishing and boating.

Attractions of Jinyun Mountain - Jinyun Temple

Jinyun Mountain is a famous Buddhism mountain with a history of 1500 years. The Jinyun Temple on it was built in Southern Dynasty (423). After that, it was called "Xiangsi (missing) Temple", "Chongsheng Temple", "Chongjiao Temple" and was bestowed by many emperors of various dynasties. The temple once ran a school which was named "Jinyun School". Now, there are 24 surviving Buddhist lections which were once read by Taizong-an emperor in Tang Dynasty. The relievo of pig changing into dragon on the wall of the temple is the cultural relic of the Six Dynasties. It is said that half-body stone status of Uranus unearthed were works of the Liang or Northen Zhou Nynasty.

Attractions of Jinyun Mountain - Octagonal Well

The Octagonal Well is situated in 100 meters northeast of Jinyun Temple. It was dug on the stone ground with a depth of over ten meters. Water in the well is limpid and green and with water in it all the year round. The stone fence on the well was built of bluestone into an octagon in the year of 1953. It is said that once a scholar whose family name is Feng read here and he often came to the well to wash the Chinese inks. Therefore, it is also called "Ximo (washing the inks) Well". In 1980, a stone tablet inscribed with "Octagonal Well" by Zhou Yunquan was placed beside the well.

Attractions of Jinyun Mountain - Luoyang Bridge

In front of the Jinyu Temple's gate is a small stone arch bridge. The time when it was built is unwilling. It is said that the scholar whose family name was Feng often came to the bridge to recite the poetry in the morning sunlight. The present Luoyang Bridge was rebuilt in 1953. It is four meters wide with lush trees surrounding it. So the scenery here is very beautiful and is a good place to take a rest.