This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
Xiaoxia Mountain in the southern part of Xiangtan County is one of the 72 peaks of Mount Heng. Its mountain range winds and stretches, reaching Tianma Mountain to the south and Tianzi Fen Mountain to the north, towering skyward with majestic momentum. Within the ridges and peaks of Xiaoxia Mountain are three peaks, arranged in even convex-concave formation like a brush rack, hence it is also called Bijia Mountain (Brush Rack Mountain). The mountain has an elevation of 451.3 meters. Among its deep forested valleys, small bamboos grow in clusters, and it has always been rich in bamboo shoots, so it is also called Raosun Mountain (Abundant Bamboo Shoot Mountain).
On the sunny side of the mountain peak are two ancient temples: one is Zhonglin Temple (also called Upper Nunnery), whose temple gate bears a top-embedded couplet: "Zhong (Center) leads to fairyland; Lin (Forest) has no worldly sentiments." The Buddhist hall couplet reads: "Raising eyes to gaze at the Western Heaven, with sincere heart and mind, return to Bodhi where there is no tree; Bowing head to think of the Eastern Land, abandoning passion and desire, cross the sea of suffering where there is a boat." The other is Yuantong Temple (also called Lower Nunnery), whose temple gate couplet reads: "A thousand pieces of gold are not treasures; books are treasures; all things are empty, but goodness is not empty." The two temples are less than three hundred paces apart. Inside both temples are carved beams and painted rafters, straight railings and horizontal thresholds, with mottled colors and rich illustrations; ancient trees reach the sky with luxuriant branches and leaves. In the heat of midsummer, resting here for a moment is enough to stop sweating and calm one's breathing.
Xiaoxia Bijia Mountain, from afar absorbing the concentrated spirit of Mount Heng and nearby drawing the elegant colors of the Xiang and Juan rivers, has extraordinary scenery. It is a uniquely endowed scenic spot and also a place where talented people have gathered. The eight brothers—modern famous linguist and educator Li Jinxi, modern famous musician and writer Li Jinhui, mining expert Li Jinyao, educator Li Jinshu, famous railway bridge expert Li Jinjiong, Li Jinming whom Mr. Lu Xun called a "central Hunan writer," musician Li Jinguang, and writer Li Jinyang—known as the "Eight Outstanding Li Brothers" (also called the "Eight Steeds"), were born at Shitanba at the western foot of Xiaoxia Mountain. Qi Baishi, the master of traditional Chinese painting of his generation, was born at Xingdoutang at the eastern foot of Xiaoxia Mountain.
In 1958, the state-owned Xiaoxia Mountain Forest Farm of Xiangtan County was established, covering 23,000 mu. Now it is being further developed and constructed as a tourism and scenic forest farm of Hunan Province. Visitors who climb to the summit and gaze far into the distance will marvel endlessly at the beautiful scene before them—emerald forests merging with the blue sky in one color, and the rosy dawn clouds shining together with the red sun.
