The Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Geography, Volumes Eleven and Twelve

Page Thirty-Two

Mount Luofu original: "羅浮" (Luofu). Located in modern-day Guangdong, this is one of the most sacred mountains in Taoism and Buddhism, famous for its "combined" nature—legend says the "Fu" mountain floated across the sea to join the "Luo" mountain. is situated between the two counties of Zengcheng and Boluo, standing distantly by the sea. It reaches a height of 3,600 zhang a traditional unit of length; 3,600 zhang is approximately 36,000 feet, reflecting the mountain's majestic scale in historical texts and extends for a length of 500 li roughly 155 miles or 250 kilometers. It contains 432 peaks and ridges.

Travelers begin their journey from the Longhua Temple which contains the Shrine of the Lady of Prosperous Fortune. After walking seven li up the mountain, one reaches the Yanxiang Temple and the "Bright Moon" Altar of Precepts. This altar stands one hundred feet high and features an Iron Buddha statue. Nearby are the oranges of the Imperial Garden. Continuing for more than three li to the mountainside, one finds the Baoji Temple and the Imperial Library Pavilion which houses books bestowed by Emperors Taizong, Zhenzong, and Renzong of the Song Dynasty. Here also is the Tin Staff Spring the place where Chan Master Jingtai once rested his staff and a bronze Buddha statue.

Behind the temple lies the Arhat Rock which contains the Golden Altar Mountain of Fire-Communication, the Taming Tiger Rock where the Sui Dynasty monk Huiyue once resided, and the Buddha’s Footprint Stone.

Ten li further up the mountain are the Large and Small Stone Pavilions these two "buildings" are naturally occurring stone formations five li apart that resemble towers. Nearby is Iron Bridge Peak located where the two mountains of Luofu meet and the Three Peaks of the Upper Realm which connect above to Iron Bridge Peak and stand three "ren" high.

Other notable sites include the Blue Sheep Crag located on the third peak of the Upper Realm, where sheep tracks are found and the Night Joy Cave situated beneath the three peaks of the Upper Realm. Within this area are the Rhinoceros Pond and the Sword-Testing Stone located within Night Joy Cave; it is said that the legendary Zhan Lu tested his sword here. Also found here are the Waterfall Spring within Night Joy Cave and the Phoenix Valley within Night Joy Cave, which leads to the Phoenix Bath Pond at the mouth of Phoenix Valley, where five-colored clouds are said to appear.

Finally, there is the Jade Stone Terrace located at the core of Mount Fu and Iron Bridge Peak and the Flying Cloud Tower also called "Cloud-Reaching"; it is situated at the very summit of the mountain.