Caishiji: A Scenic Wonder Revisited

​Formerly known as Niuzhuji, Caishiji is the foremost of the three renowned cliffs along the Yangtze River (the other two being Nanjing's Yanziji and Yueyang's Chenglingji). The cliff rises abruptly and dramatically from the riverbank, offering breathtaking scenery and a wealth of historical sites, including Taibai Pavilion, Sanyuan Cave, Santai Tower, and Ranxi Pavilion. Its strategic location commanding the Yangtze River has made Caishiji a battleground throughout history. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the states of Wu and Chu clashed here; at the end of the Han Dynasty, Sun Ce seized Niuzhu, laying the foundation for his kingdom in the Jiangdong region; and during the Southern Song Dynasty, Yu Yunwen rallied his troops at Caishi, halting the southward advance of Wanyan Liang, the Jin emperor. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai visited Caishiji many times, leaving behind immortal verses such as, "West of Niuzhu on the Yangtze at night, not a wisp of cloud in the blue sky. Boarding a boat, gazing at the autumn moon, I can only think of General Xie…" Legend also tells of Li Bai's "drunken moon-grabbing" and his ascent to heaven on the back of a whale at this very spot. Numerous other literary figures, including Bai Juyi, Wang Anshi, Su Dongpo, Lu You, and Wen Tianxiang, have also visited Caishiji, leaving behind poems and reflections inspired by its beauty.