Monday, April 20, 2009, 12:00 PM, Anti-Japanese War Monument at the west side of the North Gate of Mount Lu - In the arduous and extraordinary anti-Japanese war of the Chinese nation, the battle for the defense of Mount Lu could be described as a grand chapter. In July 1938, the invading Japanese army occupied Jiujiang. At that time, their commander, Hayashi冈村, arrogantly attempted to occupy Mount Lu within days. What he did not expect was that the Nationalist defenders on Mount Lu, with only two regiments of troops, would fiercely resist and tenaciously hold out for a full nine months. One of these commanders was General Yang Yuchun mentioned in the old villa stories.
We returned halfway through the scenic route of the Jinxiu Valley and drove back into Guling Town for lunch. The plan for the afternoon was to drive directly to the Xianrendong Cave at the western end of the Jinxiu Valley (where Chen Qiaoen's breast enhancement products were used), then head to the San叠Quan Waterfall to view the cascading waterfalls. There is only one gas station on Mount Lu, located next to the north gate we entered the previous night. After refueling, we paid our respects at the Mount Lu Anti-Japanese War Memorial nearby with reverence.
Taking a slight turn along the road, the scenery suddenly opened up before us: the vast farmland by the Yangtze River's southern bank and Poyang Lake came into view, shrouded in misty haze, blending seamlessly with the sky and earth... On the geological park's stone tablet, it read "Lions Mouth Cliff," named for its resemblance to a lion opening its mouth, formed due to the collapse caused by post-glacial period water erosion.
At 12:25 PM, Guling Street - Originally called Eagle Beak Stone, the Good Luck Stone is said to have lacked railings and steps, leaving the prominent rock perched dramatically on the edge of a deep abyss, adding an extra layer of sensory stimulation. It is believed that touching the Good Luck Stone brings good fortune; men should circle clockwise, women counterclockwise, for continuous good luck.
Leaving the monument, just dozens of meters away near the cliffside stands the Wangjiang Pavilion. Looking west from the pavilion, the entire town of Guling resembles a celestial marketplace. The densely packed houses are scattered across the peaks, with the steep slope of Jiandao Gorge descending abruptly, creating a magnificent sight. If one encounters rising clouds, this place truly becomes a fairyland on earth.
After returning to the town for a meal and a brief rest, we looked forward to the afternoon’s itinerary. In 1946, Liang Hanmin, commander of the Nationalist Army's 99th Corps, mobilized over ten thousand Japanese prisoners of war to construct the Anti-Japanese War Martyrs' Monument and related buildings. The calligraphy on the entrance stone archway was written by Commander Liang himself. Strangely, only the character “” remains on the right couplet, likely damaged during the Cultural Revolution.
To be continued, more pictures are stored in the space album… After the rain cleared, if lucky, one should be able to see the mist swirling around the peaks and valleys. Exiting the Huajing Path leads to the eastern starting point of the Jinxiu Valley. From here, following the path above the cliffs for over a kilometer westward will bring you to the Xianrendong Cave at the other end. This route is perfect for walking, without requiring climbing, and offers beautiful scenery. For us, it was a great choice, allowing us to relax after a long journey without becoming too exhausted.
Walking along the winding mountain roads, the changing beauty is akin to a slowly moving painting. Faint clouds float over distant mountaintops, with the peaks appearing and disappearing intermittently…
Mount Lu has many famous scenic spots: the Three Stacked Springs, Shimen Brook, Taiyi, Tianhe Valley, etc., all quite dispersed. Thanks to the well-connected roads on the mountain, driving can reach almost all the starting points for hiking or cable car rides! This is a sign of a well-developed tourist area.
In recent years, the significant achievements of the Nationalist Army during the war have been increasingly recognized and promoted. The Mount Lu Anti-Japanese War Memorial beside Xiaotianchi Pool has endured much damage but still stands tall under the blue sky, guarding the mountains and rivers of Kuanglu.
The steep and uniquely shaped rocks on both sides of the Jinxiu Valley extend endlessly into the distance, creating a very picturesque scene. A tour guide accompanying a group nearby introduced us to the fact that around May, flowers bloom profusely in the Jinxiu Valley, presenting a splendor worthy of its name "Jinxiu."
At 11:20 AM, Jinxiu Valley Bridge - The bridge is actually composed of two huge stones standing opposite each other on the valley top, resembling a broken stone bridge. Due to an unfavorable angle, it is difficult to capture the dramatic peril of the stones jutting into the air. There is a historical tale here: at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang battled fiercely with the Southern Han general by Poyang Lake. Defeated, Zhu fled onto Mount Lu. With no clear path and pursued on both sides, he faced a cliff ahead. Suddenly, a golden dragon appeared, transforming into a bridge. Zhu leaped his horse across the deep ravine. As the pursuers reached the bridge, there were several loud explosions, and the bridge broke, the dragon flew away... Thus, the future Ming Taizu narrowly escaped danger.