The Fuchun River in Hangzhou is well-known, and many people know about and have visited it, especially during spring and autumn when it’s an excellent place to go for a walk or outing. This time, I want to introduce a place that’s not the Fuchun River itself, but rather Yan Zilings Diaotai, which is on the Fuchun River. This is a place that’s not often mentioned or quickly skipped over, but I’d like to introduce its uniqueness to you.
On the Fuchun River, with its beautiful scenery that’s as beautiful as a painting, and after passing through the Small Three Gorges, Yan Zilings Diaotai slowly emerges as the main scenic spot on the Fuchun River. Its exact location is on the Fuchun Mountain in Tonglu, 15 kilometers south of the city. Yan Zilings Diaotai, as the name suggests, is named after a person, Yan Zilings.
Yan Zilings was a recluse in the early Eastern Han Dynasty, who once studied with Liu Xiu as a young man. After Liu Xiu ascended the throne, Yan Zilings was unwilling to take office, so he found a secluded place on the Fuchun River to live. Later, Liu Xiu invited him to join his court on multiple occasions, but he remained a recluse.
Yan Zilings Diaotai, as an ancient fishing platform site, ranks first among more than 10 other “fishing platform” sites nationwide, making it famous. This “fishing platform” is truly a fishing platform, and on the painted boats in the Dragon Gate Bay, you can see this “tentacle” extending out from the pier, which looks extremely dangerous but is actually very safe.
After reaching the fishing platform pier, you’ll see several stone tablets with various fonts depicting people’s impressions. After passing the stone tablets, you’ll reach the entrance of the Yan Zilings Shrine. As you enter, a large horizontal stone tablet appears in front of you, featuring a partial scene from the “Fuchun Mountain Residence” painting. It was meticulously carved from stone.
It is said that this piece took half a month to complete. The Fuchun Mountain in the painting has been sculpted by time, becoming even more shiny and black. If you touch it, you’ll feel a smooth, slippery texture, making it seem incredibly realistic.
On the west side of Yan Zilings Diaotai is the newly built Yan Shiren Shrine along the river. Inside the shrine, there is a stone tablet on the east wall with the inscription “Yan Shiren Shrine Record” written by Fan Zhongyan of the Song Dynasty. The famous phrase in the inscription, “The mountains are vast and green, the river is vast and surging; the spirit of the master is as high as the mountains and as long as the river,” is still circulated today. On both sides of the hall, there is a stone tablet, one with “Guest Star” and the other with “Fishing Platform”. The origin of “Guest Star” is related to Liu Xiu’s invitation for Yan Zilings to join the court. It was a product of Liu Xiu’s trust in him.
The fishing platform is divided into two parts, east and west, both on a rock about 70 meters high on the hillside, 80 meters apart. There is a “Shuang Qing Pavilion” at the fork in the mountain road, built in the Republic of China. The inscription on the pavilion is “Climbing the fishing platform, looking towards the south, the spirit is refreshed and the heart is open; thinking of the master’s spirit, the mountains are high and the river is long.” The eastern platform is where Yan Zilings fished, with a giant rock like a bamboo shoot, said to be used by Yan Zilings to support his fishing rod. The stone pavilion was built in the Qianlong period, appearing ancient and simple.
On the way to the eastern platform, there is a “Fuchun River Poetry and Prose Forest” corridor running from east to west. Here, poems and prose from all dynasties are gathered, and calligraphy from calligraphers all over the country is gathered in the form of steles, forming a magnificent sight. There are also more than 20 stone statues of ancient literary masters such as Li Bai, Bai Juyi, Lu You, and Fan Zhongyan scattered in the dense forest at the foot of the mountain.
Downhill, there is an exciting speedboat adventure waiting for you. You can choose to get wet or not. The driver is also very easy to talk to. As you ride the speedboat across the river, suddenly the driver swings it left and right, controlling it to rock back and forth, feeling like it’s about to capsize. This exciting feeling fills your whole body.
Yan Zilings Diaotai Scenic Area is not only about Yan Zilings; it also includes Dragon Gate Bay and the Small Three Gorges, which are typically sold as a combination ticket. Spending a day here would be worthwhile. Drifting leisurely on the river surface, strolling idly through the forest.
Travel Guide
【About Transportation】
Self-driving: ① From Hangzhou, drive southeast, along the Hangxinjing Expressway, in the direction of G25, and take the Fuchun River S210 exit
② Driving plan within Tonglu County, drive along Xuqiline, towards Pujiang/Luci, slightly turn left onto Chunjiang Road, and turn right onto Diaotai Road
【About Attractions】
Fish-hawk fishing performance, rafting, viewing poems, hiking, and boating
【Warm Tips】
1. The place is not actually that big, and crowds can affect your enjoyment, so it’s recommended to visit during off-season or avoid weekends.
2. There are actually not many things to do here; most of the attraction is about the writings of many literary figures. Half a day is sufficient.
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