Xujian Xiaowo Rock Cluster Introduction
The Xujing Xiaowojie Stone Inscription Group is located at the foothills of Nampan Mountain, south of the ancient city of Kinmen, and south of the Wentai Pagoda. It is a collection of inscriptions formed by poets and military officials from the Ming and Qing Dynasties who carved poems and texts onto large stones. The earliest inscriptions date back to the 14th year of the Jiajing reign (1547), when the then Kinmen Qianhu (a military title) Yu Dayou inscribed the four characters "Xujing Xiaowo," using his nickname "Xujing." This stone inscription also became the source of the group's name. Later, his disciple Yang Hongju built the "Xiaowo Pavilion" in front of the stone and composed poems in commemoration. Other inscriptions include "Daguan" by the Qing Dynasty's Zhu Jie, "Ruhua" by Lu Ruijin, and poems by various literati, with the inscriptions interspersed amidst the stones, showcasing diverse styles and combining calligraphic art with historical value. The Xiaowo Pavilion was damaged during the 1954 Jiu San artillery battle and was reconstructed by the Kinmen County Government in 2001. The overall stone group presents a majestic atmosphere, not only demonstrating the cultural depth of Kinmen but also serving as an important landmark witnessing the historical development of Kinmen.
