The Eight Sceneries of Huangjing comprise Huangjing Cave, Taohua Peak, Immortal Bridge, Celestial Burial Tomb, Immortal’s Fallen Boots, Chaotian Jian, the Horse-Spraying-Water Waterfall, and the Stone Carving of Humans, Cranes, and Snakes Dancing Together. They are located on the southern shore of Lushan Mountain, in Sima Village, Zhelin Town. In 2001, the Eight Sceneries of Huangjing were opened to the public as a tourist attraction, drawing numerous visitors.

Huangjing Cave At the foot of Taohuajian Mountain, it derives its name from the Huangjing River. Though called a “cave,” it is actually a deep, secluded gorge nestled at the base of towering mountains. On either side rise bizarre peaks and sheer cliffs, cloaked in ancient trees and lush forests, with wisps of white clouds drifting lazily around—creating a panorama of ever-changing beauty. The valley floor is strewn with jagged, oddly shaped boulders of all sizes, through which the Huangjing River tumbles and flows, its waters playfully interacting with the rocks, offering a new vista at every step. As the valley winds along with the contours of the mountain, it eventually splits into two branches deep within, forming a Y-shaped structure known as the Great and Little Caves. Each offers a distinct and captivating scene. Because its appearance closely resembles the idyllic Peach Blossom Spring depicted by Tao Yuanming, it is also affectionately referred to as the “Peach Blossom Spring Stone Cave.” During the Qing Dynasty, Zhang Huilan composed a poem praising this place: “The old tale of the Flower Source recalls the springtime of Wuling; news once reached even that distant shore. But here, where there’s already a crossing, who could ask further? The boatman Gan was truly half-immortal.”

Peach Blossom Peak Taohua Jian is a renowned mountain boasting both stunning natural scenery and a wealth of cultural legends. It’s located at the southern end of the Wuling Mountains in northern Jiangxi, facing directly across from the Zhelin Dam—less than 5 kilometers away. The peak stands at an elevation of 943 meters above sea level and is affectionately known as the “Number One Mountain of Lushan West Sea.” The summit is relatively flat, covering an area of about 300 square meters. Legend has it that in ancient times, there once grew a grove of a hundred peach trees, and every March, when the peach blossoms were in full bloom, the entire landscape would be awash in a brilliant shade of red, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle—hence the mountain’s name, “Taohua Jian,” or “Peach Blossom Peak.” According to legend, there used to be a temple atop the mountain. Each June, when the peaches ripened, devout men and women would climb to the summit to seek divination and pay homage to the Buddha. On their way back down, they’d always pick several ripe peaches as a token of their reverence. Yet, according to accounts from recent climbers, the peach grove on the summit has completely vanished, and the temple has long since disappeared as well—leaving behind nothing but a jumble of red stone slabs strewn haphazardly across the site! Each of these stones weighs anywhere from one to two hundred jin! There are no large trees on the summit; instead, it’s covered entirely by a dense thicket of shrubs. But where exactly did these massive, red stone slabs weighing one to two hundred jin each come from? And who could have transported them all the way up to the mountaintop from elsewhere? In recent years, some scholars have suggested that these enormous red stone slabs might actually be remnants of military communication facilities dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties—or perhaps slightly later—specifically, the ruins of beacon towers used for signaling purposes.

According to climbers and explorers, there’s a large cave halfway up the southern slope of Taohua Peak—a cave whose depth is utterly unfathomable. Legend has it that this is the Cave of Immortals; however, based on rough observations and analyses by modern researchers, it seems more likely that the cave was once a volcanic vent formed during geological changes.

Immortal Bridge Located in Huangjing Cave, halfway up the hillside is a massive rock that spans the valley. Its base has been eroded over time by flowing water, weathering into an arched cave and forming a natural stone bridge. The arch is 6 meters wide, 3 meters high, 15 meters long, and about 2 meters wide—altogether a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. The section facing the valley resembles a blade carved by nature itself, a masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship.

Sky Burial Tomb It is said that Sun Zhong, the grandfather of Sun Quan from the Three Kingdoms period, once fled famine and took refuge at the ancient Jinling Temple in Sima. When Sun Zhong’s mother passed away, Sun Quan’s father, Sun Jian, was still away fighting in battle. Upon receiving the tragic news, Sun Jian immediately rode his horse at breakneck speed, hurrying back through the night. By the time he arrived home, his prized steed was so exhausted that it collapsed on the ground, foaming at the mouth and plunging into a deep pool—thus giving rise to the “Horse-Blowing Waterfall” of Xihai. In Huangjing Cave in Sima Village, seven fairy maidens guard the cave entrance. This is precisely the Huangjing Cave Scenic Area and the Xihai Grand Canyon. During the funeral procession, suddenly a violent storm broke out—with fierce winds, flashing lightning, and torrential rain—forcing the mourners to halt the procession and seek shelter. Shortly after, as the rain cleared and the sky brightened, people were astonished to find that the coffin had vanished without a trace. Yet, right where the procession had been halted, a towering mountain peak had emerged, its summit resembling an enormous tomb. People believed this was a divine manifestation, and that the spirits had taken Sun’s mother to her final resting place. From then on, they began calling this mountain peak the “Heavenly Burial Tomb.” Later, when Sun Quan became king, the mountain was also known as the “Queen Mother’s Tomb.” The shape of the mountain’s summit resembles an ancient official’s ceremonial tablet—a “court tablet pointing toward heaven,” also called the “Elephant Tablet Pointing Toward Heaven.” The mountain is perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds. Legend has it that this was the “Unfinished Soldier” newly built by Sun Quan for his great-grandmother. The mountain is constantly swept by gentle breezes, causing the bamboo trees to sway back and forth as if sweeping the ground; thus, it is also known as the “Heavenly Burial Tomb, Where the Wind Sweeps the Ground.” In Xihai, Lushan, there is a folk song passed down orally: “Peach Blossom Peak, Misty and Gloomy, Horse Blowing Water, Scattering Gold and Silver, Court Tablet Pointing to Heaven, Heavenly Burial Tomb, Seven Sisters Guarding the Cave Entrance.”

Fairy drops boots On a massive rock in Huangjing Cave, only a tiny stone at the base supports it—everything else is suspended in midair. At first glance, the rock seems perilously unstable, yet in reality, it remains utterly immovable. Beneath it, visitors can rest and take shelter from the rain, an experience that never fails to amaze. Because its shape resembles a pair of boots, locals call it the “Immortal’s Boots.” Nearby, there’s another large rock bearing a patch of a different color that looks remarkably like a human footprint—the “Immortal’s Footprint.” Legend has it that this footprint was left by the son of the Thunder God, who had been tasked with performing the celestial burial for Sun Quan’s grandmother. At the time, he carried his mother’s coffin up the mountain with both hands raised high. In his intense exertion, he stamped this footprint onto the large rock. When he pulled his legs away, he exerted even more force, causing his boot to slip off—and thus, these two extraordinary natural wonders were left behind for us to marvel at.

Chaotian Jian Also known as “Chaotian Hu,” this is a slab-like stalagmite standing independently on the mountainside near Taohuajian Peak. Its shape resembles the jade tablets held by civil and military officials when they faced the emperor, hence its name, “Chaotian Hu.” It’s located on the eastern side of the Huangjing Cave’s main chamber. The coffin lid of Sun’s mother rests beside a path on the mountainside east of the entrance to Huangjing Cave—a massive, elongated boulder that is flat on top and pointed at the bottom, with one end hanging in midair. Standing atop this stone and looking down into Huangjing Cave is an incredibly thrilling experience. Legend has it that during Sun’s mother’s sky burial, a fierce wind blew the coffin lid right here, where it transformed into this stone. Whenever travelers pass by, they can’t help but stop and gaze at it in awe.

Horse Waterfall Located at Taohua Jian, above Huangjing Cave, on the eastern side of Chaotianjian, this is (also known as) the largest waterfall in the middle section of Taohua Creek. The waterfall is approximately 10 meters wide and has a drop of about 50 meters. It is most spectacular during the rainy season in June and July when rainfall is abundant. The waterfall consists of three distinct tiers: The first tier plunges down through a narrow gap between two towering cliffs, flowing horizontally for several zhang before cascading into the second tier. After another stretch of horizontal flow spanning over ten zhang, the water splits into multiple streams that plunge into the abyss, forming the third tier. The entire waterfall exhibits ever-changing beauty and remarkable scenery; ancient poets described it as “scattered pearls falling like slanting rain, flying snow mingled with swirling mist, emerald jade flowing horizontally, resembling a curtain of water, crystal-clear fragments sparkling brilliantly, and its roar resounding like thunder.” This waterfall never runs dry throughout the year. On ordinary days, its waters flow gracefully like silk ribbons; but after rainfall—especially during the spring flood—it transforms into a mighty torrent, its roar echoing for miles around, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. The water flows along the Huangjing Cave canyon, irrigating vast fields beyond the mountain and ensuring bountiful harvests for the local villagers. Hence, it has long been referred to as “Golden and Silver Water.” Today, it is also known as the “Golden (Jing) Grand Waterfall” and is part of the Xihai Grand Canyon Scenic Area.