Literally translated as the "Pure Water-source Mountain", Qingyuan Mountain (Qīngyúanshān 清源山) is famous for its springs, rocks caves and peaks. Legend has it that the name of the mountain comes from a spring made by a immortal using an iron crutch stamping into the ground. It stands in the north of Quanzhou (Qúanzhōu 泉州) as a natural defence, known for its exotic rocks and springs. People of the Yuan Dynasty (Yúandài 元代) praised Qingyuan Mountain as the "first mountain at a fabled abode of immortals in the sea of Fujian.".

The "mountain peaks that stand opposite each other" is one of the ten principal scenic attractions. There are 36 best scenic spots in the peaks, including Lao Zi (Lǎozǐ 老子) Rock at the foot of Mount Luoshan and Mount Wushan features a sitting statue of Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism (Dàojiào 道教), carved out of a natural rock during the Song Dynasty. The 5.1meter-high statue, vivid and exquisitely carved, is the largest Taoist stone sculpture in China now under state protection.
 

Interesting Legend About Laozi Statue
The 5-meter-high Laozi Rock is the most representative feature of the hill. The Song-Dynasty statue represents a man with a long beard-believed to be the philosopher Laozi, the founder and Saint of Taoism. The statue was carved out of a natural rock duirng the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Laozi is sitting in a cross-legged position, with his left hand on his left knee and right hand on a table. The figure has become a symbol of health and longevity. As the saying goes in Quanzhou, "Touch the nose of the Stone Old Saint, and you'll live up to 120 years old," which entices many tourists to have a try.
 

Mituoyan Peak And Hongyi Priest
Other scenic spots include the Mituoyan (Mítuóyán 弥陀岩) Peak ,which scattered with temples, pavilions as well as statues and tombs: There are a statue of Guanyin (Guānyīn 观音), a statue of Maitreya and the tomb of Hongyi (Hóngyī 弘一) Priest, a learned monk of the modern times, who lived in this secluded place. The two Holy Islamic Tombs are where the third and fourth disciples of the Islamic prophet Mohammed, who traveled with difficulties to Quanzhou across the vast ocean to preach were buried after death. Their tombs are the oldest and best-preserved Islamic holy resting places in China. In the shape of a crescent, the winding stone corridor at the holy tombs signifies the purity and holiness of the disciples. There is a dagoba of the rabbi Hongyi, a dignitary in contemporary times in Qingyuan Mountain.  Hongyi experienced a prosperous life in his early lifetime and take the tonsure and assume the calotte in his middle years. After that, he confined himself to a place and pursued his studies in the area of Quanzhou. In his latter half life, he gloried in honest poverty, tranquility and leisure. Before he died, he left the four characters mix joy with sorrow. His dagoba is given offerings in the Qingyuan Mountain, which adds human connotations to the mountain.

Qingyuan Mountain History
Ever since the Qin and Han dynasties the scenic spots and the historical sites of Qingyuan Mountain have gone through their surging time in the Jin and Tang dynasties, heyday during the Song and Yuan dynasties, thriving in the Ming and Qing periods, decline in the late Qing dynasty and the Republic of China, and the rejuvenation of today commencing from the practices of open-up and reform policy. In November 1979, the scenic spots and the historical sites on Qingyuan Mountain began to be open to the public. Nowadays, they have become well-known tourist attractions home and abroad.
 

Long History Of Qingyuan Tea
There is a long history of tea culture on Qingyuan Mountain dating from the Jin Dynasty (Jīndài 金代). In Tang Dynasty (Tángdài 唐代) , a monk drank Qingyuan tea when he was meditating his mind in the Tortoise Rock Cave. There was a close relationship between tea and Buddhism. Shi Daokun was the abbot of the Temple . He learned about Ouyang Zhan for quite a long time. When someone heard that Shi was cultivating his mind in the Tortoise Rock Cave, together with his brothers Lin Zao and Lin Yun, who were from Putian (Pútián 莆田) which is a place near Quanzhou, he built a stone house beside the Tortoise Rock and studied there. Seeing the mountain with dark green pines and verdure cypresses as well as winding paths leading to the depths, he stamped into the ground with the iron crutch on the spur of the moment, only to find that the crutch thrust into the mountain rock due to too much force. When he pulled the crutch out, spring issued forth from the rock. Therefore, the mountain was named Qingyuan Mountain.

Holy Islamic Tombs
The scenery there is famous for its clean springs, odd rocks. There are also forests and gullies of a pleasant ambience. Generations of learners paid a visit to the mountain and left many inscriptions there. According to the records of the survey, there are more than 300 stone carvings, which are of the high value of cultural relics. The holy tomb of Ling Mountain, also called holy Islamic tombs, the most ancient and complete holy Islamic relics existent in our country. It is inside the Ling Mountain scenic area of the Qingyuan Mountain scenic area. It is a key historic and cultural site under the protection of the government.

Travel Tips
TEL：0595-22778623.
FAX：0595-22778623.
Location: 3 kilometers (2 miles) to the north of Quanzhou.
Transportation: Take bus No. 3 or 602. A walk from the city center takes about an hour if you follow Zhongshan Rd to the north.
Admission Fee: CNY55.
Opening Hour: 05:00--17:00.
 
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