Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area, Guanyin Lake Introduction
Guanyin Mountain, located at the intersection of Renwu and Dashe, was formerly known as "Cui Ping Rock." With a height of only 177 meters, it is one of the top ten famous mountains in Kaohsiung and is listed as number 075 in the minor peaks. Named for its main peak that resembles Guanyin in a seated position, with various surrounding peaks encircling it, it is a popular destination for fitness, hiking, and religious pilgrimages, drawing many visitors on weekends. The Guanyin Mountain area is vast, primarily consisting of rich iron-bearing sandy rocks, which are fine and soft, making it suitable for barefoot walking, hence also referred to as the Barefoot Park. Additionally, it features the renowned "Eight Sights of Guanyin," including Cui Ping Sunset, Golden Bell Spirit Platform, Shigu Shaking the Mountain, Ancient Trees Xianji, Shibi Chuhai, Guanyin Ascending to the Sky, Lian Pond Night Moon, and Tiandong Morning Glow, each offering unique scenery. There are many hiking trails on Guanyin Mountain. For first-time visitors, it is recommended to plan a popular trail. Cars can be parked at the Guanyin Mountain No. 7 Public Parking Lot, and hikers can start from the "Feng Yi Temple" trailhead behind the parking area to reach the main peak. Although the stone steps are steep and strenuous, the scenery gradually improves with height, allowing for rest while enjoying the surrounding beauty. Upon reaching the highest point of Guanyin Mountain, visitors will find the combat tunnel excavated during the Japanese occupation—"Tiandong," known as "Tiandong Chaodun" among the Eight Sights. Nearby, the Guanyin Pavilion is often a resting spot for many hikers, who can take photos on the viewing platform with the "triangulation point," where they can see the northern peak and middle peak of Guanyin Mountain. This route is the quickest way to reach the summit of Guanyin Mountain. Continuing downhill, visitors will arrive at the "Environmental Park," a flat and spacious area with public restrooms. Further down, there are some vendors where one can sit and enjoy natural "aiyu," a refreshing treat that cools off the summer heat. The "Dajue Temple" weekend market offers shopping opportunities. This trail is the shortest way to hike Guanyin Mountain, approximately 2.5 kilometers long, which takes about an hour to complete at a leisurely pace. Guanyin Lake is located to the south of Guanyin Mountain, formerly known as Governor's Pond. The calm and clear lake, along with its favorable ecological environment, attracts many migratory birds. Spanning 30 hectares, Guanyin Lake consists of inner and outer lakes and serves purposes of irrigation, water storage, and flood prevention. The enchanting landscape of mountains and waters is a must-visit secret spot after completing the Guanyin Mountain hiking trail. The Eight Sights of Guanyin: 1. Cui Ping Sunset: At the foot of Guanyin Mountain, there is a giant rock surrounded by mountains on three sides, capturing the wind and energy. It is said that Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty saw the clear waters and beautiful mountains here and named it "Cui Ping Rock." One of the Eight Sights of Fengshan, Cui Ping Sunset refers to this scenic spot. Climbing Guanyin Mountain not only provides a pleasant experience during the day but also offers a stunning view of the sunset at dusk, allowing visitors to personally appreciate the beauty of "Cui Ping Sunset." 2. Golden Bell Spirit Platform: At the starting point of Xuefu Road, thirty meters southeast of Huai Zhi Tang, this area has been partially cut due to road widening. By following the steps up the side of the road, one can reach an ancient pavilion with an anonymous couplet describing the legendary story of the Cui Ping Rock Temple's establishment. 3. Shigu Shaking the Mountain: Located outside the south wall of Dajue Temple, this site features three pavilions. In the 1940s, there was a mountain spring flowing from it. Due to renovations at Dajue Temple in the 1990s, the pavilions were removed, and it is now an artificial waterfall. It is said that in ancient times, when the temple's bell was rung, the echo of this stone drum resonated, shaking the mountains. 4. Ancient Trees Xianji: The ancient banyan tree originally grew on the Shigu rock, providing ample shade for dozens of people to rest. In the 1960s, when the rock spring was no longer present, the banyan tree began to wither. Due to pests and diseases, it decayed in the 1980s. The banyan tree seen today was newly planted in the 1980s. 5. Shibi Chuhai: Located along the northern section of the Huanshan Trail, next to the ancient well of Ganquan, it rises like a stone pillar, about thirty meters high, resembling a stone dripstone. In the moonlight, the pen barrel reflects the moon, and its tip appears dark, standing out alone. 6. Guanyin Ascending to the Sky: The peak known as Zhouzai Keng Wei, the main peak of Guanyin Mountain, resembles Guanyin seated. It offers a view that stretches from Anping to Fengbitou. The mountain has undergone three flattening phases: the first during the Japanese occupation to build a fortress; the second in the 1970s by the Joint Logistics Command to create a water reservoir; and the third in the 1990s when a wood viewing platform was built, obscuring its original appearance as Guanyin seated, surrounded by other mountains. 7. Lian Pond Night Moon: In front of Guanyin Ascending to the Sky, the northern side is the Kecai Pond, irrigating about 43 hectares of farmland, though it has now been reduced. The southern side is the Great Pond, which has been divided into several small ponds, representing the old Sanaitan's large water pond. The proximity of these two places to Guanyin Mountain is the reason for its name. 8. Tiandong Morning Glow: Towards the end of World War II, the Japanese dug a combat tunnel about 100 meters long in Zhouzai Keng Wei, running west to east, with gradually declining terrain. From this mountain ridge, one can gaze eastward at the layered mountains in the morning glow.
