Shibaozhai 石宝寨

About Shibaozhai

Its stacked storeys narrow as they climb, turning the cliff into both a support and a route towards the upper temple. The entrance arch and inscribed stone gateway provide close detail before the ascent. A protective embankment now surrounds the hill in the reservoir landscape, making the relationship between the old architecture and the modern river level part of the visit.

According to local tradition, the rock is a five-colored stone left behind by Nüwa (女娲) when she mended the sky, giving the site its name “Shibao” (石宝, “stone treasure”); because its shape resembles a jade seal, it is also called Yuyin Mountain (玉印山). In the late Ming dynasty, Tan Hong (谭宏) occupied the hill as a stronghold and declared himself Prince of Wuling, giving the complex its name “Shibaozhai” (石宝寨).

In the early Qianlong era (乾隆) of the Qing dynasty, a temple was built on the summit using iron chains anchored to the cliff, which visitors were originally hoisted up by. In 1819, during the Jiaqing era (嘉庆), a nine-story pavilion was built against the cliff to provide a walkway to the top, and in 1956 three more stories were added, bringing the total to twelve stories and 56 meters in height, built entirely of wood. At the summit stands a three-story hall dedicated to Manjusri, known as the Purple Rain Pavilion, built during the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor (1850-1861).

The hill lies in Shibao town, Zhong County, on the Yangtze's north bank, 45 kilometers from the county seat. Beside the river a cliff more than ten zhang (丈) tall rises as a steep, isolated peak, an example of Danxia landform (丹霞地貌).

What to look for

• The tapering timber pavilion leans against the rock face.
• The inscribed stone gateway and upper Tianzi Hall add separate architectural stops.

Location & getting there

Getting to Shibaozhai

Arrange a road arrival at Shibaozhai in central Shibao Town, Zhong County, on the Yangtze bank. If visiting by cruise, confirm that Shibaozhai is an actual stop on your sailing before relying on a dock transfer.