Jinxiu Valley of Mount Lushan in Jiujiang

Nestled between Dalin Peak and Tianchi Mountain on Mount Lushan, Jinxiu Valley is a 1.5km Quaternary glacial valley with steep cliffs and a flat floor. Adored since the Eastern Jin for alpine herbs, celebrated by poets, and steeped in Zhu Yuanzhang’s legends, it boasts Heavenly Bridge, Lucky Stone, Precipitous Peak, and connects to the Taoist Immortal Cave, offering spectacular cloud seas and seasonal floral displays.

Highlights of Jinxiu Valley

Natural & Legendary Landmarks

1. Heavenly Bridge (Tianqiao): A massive brown rock juts out over the deep canyon, creating the illusion of a broken suspension bridge. Legend has it that when Zhu Yuanzhang fled from Chen Youliang, a golden dragon turned into a bridge to save him, which vanished after he crossed.
2. Lucky Stone (Haoyunshi): A prominent boulder on the cliff edge, a popular photo spot where visitors touch or circle it for good fortune.
3. Precipitous Peak (Xianfeng): Immortalized by Mao Zedong’s poem “Boundless scenery at the perilous peak”, it’s a sharp cliff offering panoramic views of the valley and the sea of clouds.
4. Human Head Rock & Jinxiu Cave: A weathered stone peak with a top boulder resembling an old man’s face; the cave below has natural stone tables and benches for resting.
5. Cloud Sea & Seasonal Flowers: The valley is a prime spot to watch Lushan’s mist rolling in; spring azaleas, summer greenery, autumn red maples, and winter rime all present distinct charms.

Cultural & Historical Traces

• Eastern Jin Monastic Heritage: Huiyuan, the founder of Pure Land Buddhism, gathered medicinal herbs here, leaving a legacy of alpine herbalism.
• Literary Inscriptions: Ancient stone carvings by literati, including calligraphy and poem inscriptions that record the valley’s history and beauty.
• Immortal Cave (Xianren Cave): The end of the Jinxiu Valley trail, a famous Taoist site where Lü Dongbin is said to have practiced Taoism and attained immortality, with the Toad Stone, Pine in Stone, and Yidi Spring inside.

Who Should Visit

• Hikers and nature lovers chasing glacial landforms, cloud seas and seasonal scenery
• History and literature enthusiasts interested in ancient Chinese legends and poet inscriptions
• Taoist cultural followers who want to visit the Immortal Cave
• Photographers aiming for the Heavenly Bridge silhouette, the sea of clouds at Precipitous Peak, and the stone peaks
• Study tour groups focusing on glacial geology, traditional Chinese culture and poetry

Nearby Attractions

• Immortal Cave (Xianren Cave)
• Ruqin Lake
• Huajing Garden
• Dalin Temple Ruins
• Tianchi Temple