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 Purple Mountain cableway
Completed in 1992 with a total length of 2350 meters, it starts near Dibao Castle and ends on Toutuoling which is 425 meters above the sea level.
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The alter of the Six Dynasties
Halfway up Toutuoling, it is of a large scale. Jointly developed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum Administration and Nanjing Research Institute of Cultural Relics, as the alter-oriented architectural site of the Six Dynasties at Zhongshan Mountain in Nanjing, it was evaluated as one of the ten major archaeological discoveries of China in 2000.
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Yongmu Hut and Dagobas of Eminent Monks
Yongmu Hut was the place where the family members of Dr. Sun Yat-sen stayed to watch and protect the mausoleum. As one of the memorial buildings at Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, it lies beside ancient Wanfu Temple on the top of Xiaomaoshan Hill. Not far from here, the mountain-road is flanked by dagobas of eminent monks, i.e. master monks of ancient Wanfu Temple were buried in these dagobas after death. These dagobas were renovated in 1993. In the north of the road is Yinchao (responding to the tide) Well which is said to correspond to the rise and fall of the river-tide.
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Liu Ji Cave and Playing-Instrument Rock
Liu Ji Cave is seen in the northern cliff of Toutuoling. Along the cliff, there is a huge rock inscribed with “Liu Ji Cave” written by Mr. Huang Hongyi. It is said, Liu Ji sought refuge in this cave, hence escaping from the danger of “Bombarding the tower of meritorious officers.” Over 100 meters down below Liu Ji Cave is a unique rock. As a legend runs, when passing by here for hunting, Liu Yu, emperor Wudi of the Song dynasty, became excited while seeing this rock. He played a piece of music with his stringed instrument as nice as the wind sweeping across pines and the bird chirping. Therefore, this rock was then named Playing-Instrument Rock.
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The Prince Rock and One-Person Spring
The Prince Rock is also named the Reading Platform of Prince Zhaoming. According to historical records, emperor Wudi of the Liang dynasty had Da’aijing Temple built on Zhongshan Mountain. Prince Zhaoming used to read books in this temple which is now in non-existence, only with the reading platform left behind. One-Spoon Spring is situated beside ancient Fayun Temple on the top of the northern peak of Zhongshan Mountain. As only one person can get through the rugged and narrow mountain-path, it earns its name as “One-Person Spring.” It is also called “One-Spoon Spring” since “The spring-water can only be held in one spoon though it is inexhaustible.”
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Purple Mountain Astronomical Observatory
Built in 1929, it is a famous astronomical observatory in China. In addition to modernized and scientific instruments and equipment, it also keeps precious ancient astronomical instruments.
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Tianbao Castle and Dibao Castle
Tianbao Castle is located on the western peak of Purple Mountain, i.e. inside Purple Mountain Astronomical Observatory. Dibao Castle is situated at the Dragon-Neck outside Taiping city-gate. These two castles were both important military fortresses built during the period of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom for protecting Nanjing, the capital of Taiping Heavenly Kingdom at that time. |
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White Cloud Pavilion and Maitreya Buddha
In the west of Toutuoling is an expanse of huge steep rocks on which there is a newly built hexagonal stone-pavilion. Tourists in the pavilion seem to feel like being in the sky while looking up at “Fine clouds over Purple Mountain” and looking over Nanjing in a mood of immense pleasure and pride.
In 1995, the biggest Maitreya Buddha in areas south of the Yangtze River settled down on Toutuoling. Weighing 100 tons, it can hold over 20 people inside its convex belly. |
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