Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area, Guanyin Lake Introduction
Guanyin Mountain, located at the boundary between Renwu and Dashu districts, was formerly known as Cuiping Rock. Standing at only 177 meters tall, it is one of the top ten famous mountains in the Kaohsiung area and is listed as number 075 in the "Minor Hundred Peaks." The mountain’s main peak resembles Guanyin seated, with surrounding peaks forming a protective embrace, hence the name. It is an excellent choice for fitness activities, hiking, and religious pilgrimage, attracting large crowds on holidays. The Guanyin Mountain area is vast, composed mainly of rich iron-bearing siltstone that is soft and suitable for barefoot walking, which has earned it the nickname "Barefoot Park." Additionally, it is known for the famous "Eight Scenic Views of Guanyin," which include Cuiping Sunset, Golden Bell Spirit Platform, Stone Drum Shaking the Mountain, Ancient Tree Fairy Footprints, Stone Pen Just Unveiled, Guanyin in the Sky, Lotus Pond Night Moon, and Heavenly Cave Morning Dawn, each with its unique charm. The hiking trails on Guanyin Mountain are numerous. For first-time visitors, it is advisable to plan a popular hiking route, with parking available at the Guanyin Mountain Public Parking Lot No. 7. Begin the ascent to the main peak from the trailhead at Fengyi Temple. Although the stone steps are steep and challenging, the scenery improves with altitude, allowing for rest stops to enjoy the surrounding beauty. Upon reaching the highest point of Guanyin Mountain, visitors will see the wartime tunnel excavated during the Japanese occupation—known as "Tian Dong," part of the "Heavenly Cave Morning Dawn" scenic view. Beside it, the Guanyin Pavilion serves as a resting spot for many hikers to enjoy tea. A visit to the viewing platform and the "Triangular Point" offers an opportunity for memorable photographs, with views of the North Peak and Middle Peak of Guanyin Mountain. This route is the fastest way to summit the mountain. Continuing downhill, you will reach the "Environmental Park," which is spacious and flat, featuring public restrooms. As you proceed downwards, commercial vendors can be found, where you can sit and enjoy refreshing natural aiyu jelly, perfect for cooling off. The weekend market at "Dajue Temple" offers opportunities to shop. This route is the shortest hiking trail on Guanyin Mountain, spanning approximately 2.5 kilometers, which can be completed in about an hour at a leisurely pace. Guanyin Lake, located to the south of Guanyin Mountain, was originally known as Governor's Pond. Its calm and clear waters, along with a favorable ecological environment, have attracted many migratory birds to inhabit the area. Covering an area of 30 hectares, Guanyin Lake is divided into inner and outer lakes and is responsible for irrigation, water storage, and flood control. The tranquil combination of mountain and water scenery is a must-visit secret after completing the Guanyin Mountain hiking trail. The Eight Scenic Views of Guanyin: 1. Cuiping Sunset: At the base of Guanyin Mountain, there is a large rock surrounded on three sides by mountains, capturing the wind and energy of the area. Legend has it that Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty named this place "Cuiping Rock" upon seeing its beautiful landscape. Cuiping Sunset, one of the Eight Scenic Views of Fengshan, refers to this scenic spot. Climbing Guanyin Mountain is suitable during the day, but witnessing the magnificent sunset in the evening allows one to personally experience the beauty of "Cuiping Sunset." This scene is recorded in the 20th year of Guangxu by Lu Jiade in the Fengshan County records. 2. Golden Bell Spirit Platform: Located thirty meters southeast of the starting point on Xuefu Road, this site has been partially removed due to road widening. From the roadside, steps lead up to an ancient pavilion with an unnamed couplet that tells the legendary story of the establishment of Cuiping Rock Temple. 3. Stone Drum Shaking the Mountain: Located outside the southern wall of Dajue Temple, there used to be a mountain spring there in the 1940s. By the 1990s, due to the reconstruction of Dajue Temple, the pavilion was demolished, and an artificial waterfall was created. It is said that in ancient times, the echoes produced by the Stone Drum during temple chanting would shake the mountains. 4. Ancient Tree Fairy Footprints: An ancient banyan tree that once grew atop the Stone Drum covered a large area suitable for dozens of people to rest. In the 1960s, when the Stone Drum spring ceased to flow, the banyan tree began to wither and eventually died due to pests and diseases in the 1980s. The current banyan tree was re-planted in the 1980s. 5. Stone Pen Just Unveiled: Located near the ancient well of sweet spring on the northern section of Mount Huan, this natural formation resembles a stone stalagmite, about thirty meters tall, with a large banyan tree at its tip. Under the moonlight, the pen shaft reflects the moon while the tip appears dark. 6. Guanyin in the Sky: Among the three main peaks of Guanyin Mountain (ZhouziKengwei, Monkey Mountain, Chicken Dome), ZhouziKengwei is the main peak, resembling Guanyin seated. It offers views from Anping to Fengbitou. This mountain has undergone three flattenings; the first was during the Japanese occupation for building a fortress; the second occurred in the 1970s for the construction of a large reservoir; and the third in the 1990s expanded the area and built a wooden viewing platform, obscuring Guanyin Mountain's seated appearance. From this vantage point, you can see the surrounding landscape perfectly framed by Mount Tinbitsu. 7. Lotus Pond Night Moon: In front of Guanyin in the Sky, to the north is the Kacha Pond, which supplies irrigation for 43 hectares but has since been reduced. To the south is the Dabu, which has been divided into several smaller ponds and served as the old large water pond of Sananitai. 8. Heavenly Cave Morning Dawn: At the end of World War II, the Japanese excavated a wartime tunnel about 100 meters long on ZhouziKengwei. This tunnel leads west and descends, allowing for a view of multiple layered mountains to the east, beautifully illuminated in the morning light.
