[2025 Shicheng Attraction] Travel Guide for Baofu Tower (Updated Mar)

Shicheng County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, is named after the surrounding mountains and rocks that stand like a city wall. Located on the border of Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, Shicheng has always been a must-pass place for Jiangxi to enter western Fujian and eastern Guangdong, and is known as the "thoroughfare of Fujian and Guangdong". Shicheng has a history of more than a thousand years since its establishment, and is the birthplace of Hakka culture in China, also known as the "cradle of Hakka", and is also the "hometown of white lotus". In addition to Tongtianzhai, the following attractions are also recommended: Nanlu House: Also known as "Huangjia House", located in Dashu Village, Qinjiang Town, it is one of the few well-preserved Hakka ancestral houses in Shicheng, built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, with a five-entry Hui-style architectural structure, and a half-moon-shaped pond in front of the house, with excellent feng shui. The nearby 100-acre lotus pond is also beautiful in the summer when the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Baofuyuan Pagoda: Also known as "Baofu Pagoda", located on the east bank of the Qinjiang River, adjacent to the landmark building of Shicheng "Qinjiang Langqiao", was built in the first year of Chongning in the Northern Song Dynasty (1102), and is the result of the integration of Central Plains culture and Fujian and Guangdong characteristics by the Hakka ancestors. Li Lashi: Formerly known as "Ying'en Stone", it is the place where the imperial edict was received in ancient times. In ancient times, there was a Li county magistrate who often hunted there, and later changed the name of the mountain to "Li Lishi", because in Shicheng vernacular, "hunting" and "wax" sound similar, and later generations also called it "Li Lashi". Climb the mountain and overlook the county town, free admission. Bagua Brain 🏔️: The main peak is 1,314 meters above sea level, and the locals also call it "Love Mountain", the most beautiful April day in the world, Bagua Brain to see azaleas, the alpine meadow landscape is not inferior to Wugong Mountain, worth a visit. Other must-see attractions: Flower Paradise, Shicheng County Museum, Fujian-Guangdong Thoroughfare (Zhenwu Building), Dashu Huayou Hot Spring, Osmanthus House, Jiudie Spring, Ganjiang Source Rafting, etc. 🍡【Food Recommendations】 Changxing Old Water Wine: Fly restaurant, water wine, local stir-fry; Yupin Xuan: Shicheng local cuisine; Liuji Rice Noodles: Fish head noodles, three fresh noodles; Liangliang Soup Shop: Duck head, fried noodles, all kinds of soup; Original Snail: Rice wine snail must try, you can't eat it anywhere else; Momo Ge: Buns with green pepper, diced bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushroom filling, highly recommended!

I spent the night in Shicheng. Waking up early, I climbed the Baofu Temple Pagoda, a Song dynasty Jiangnan-style Buddhist pagoda. It has seven tiers and six sides, constructed of brick and wood, resembling a bamboo-jointed steel whip. Its design is exquisitely delicate and beautiful, with a blend of Tang and Song dynasties' charm. Circling the base and passing through the walls to reach the top of the pagoda, I gazed into the distance. The landscape of Shicheng unfolded before my eyes: the mountains and rivers were beautiful, the people hardworking. Coinciding with the Spring Festival, I silently wished for the nation's peace and the people's safety. (Recorded on February 12, 2024)

🧸 Shicheng is a small county under Ganzhou, located at the throat of Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong, historically known as the thoroughfare between Fujian and Guangdong. The Qinjiang River runs through the town, and a covered bridge connects the two banks. On the west bank of the bridge is the famous Osmanthus House, where the young king of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was once imprisoned. On the east bank stands a majestic pagoda, the Baofu Temple Pagoda, listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit. ✔️ Upon arriving in Shicheng, one can immediately see the pagoda, standing prominently on the beautiful banks of the Qinjiang River. The next day, I drove to the pagoda and walked directly into the Baofu Temple behind it. Many believers gathered in the main hall, saying that the pagoda and the temple are separate. So I walked around to the back of the temple's main hall, and only then did I notice that the pagoda was enclosed by iron railings, with only one entrance and exit facing the Qinjiang River. A notice board hung at the entrance, indicating that there is a fee to visit the pagoda, 15 yuan, which is not expensive, but I saw no staff. ✔️ I thought that since it's already clear from the outside, if climbing the pagoda is not allowed, there's no point in going inside, so I decided to just take a look from the outside. Fortunately, there was an explanatory sign at the entrance, which gave us a deeper understanding of the pagoda. ✔️ It turns out that this is a pavilion-style Buddhist pagoda, built in the first year of Chongning of the Northern Song Dynasty (1102) and completed in the fourth year of Daguan (1110), funded by the high monk Daofu, Yingke, and the monks of Heyuan. Baofu Temple is actually Baofu Temple Pagoda, which is a temple pagoda, but now it is separated, and it feels like it would be more meaningful if it were together with the temple. ✔️ The pagoda has seven levels and six sides, embodying the idea that 'saving one life is more meritorious than building a seven-level pagoda.' The entire structure resembles a seven-section steel whip, not only retaining the legacy of the Tang Dynasty but also featuring the typical style of the Song Dynasty, which looks even more magnificent from a distance. ✔️ The name 'Baofu' has two meanings: one is wealth and blessings, and the other is homophonous with 'protection.' Ancient people paid attention to Feng Shui when building pagodas, and Buddhist pagodas were no exception. After the construction of this Buddhist pagoda, Shicheng enjoyed favorable weather, abundant harvests, and people believed it was the protection of the pagoda. ✔️ Walking along the covered bridge to the opposite bank of the Qinjiang River, standing on the bank and admiring the pagoda from a distance, with green mountains behind and clear water in front, plus the blue sky and white clouds, the beautiful reflection of the pagoda in the river is indeed a sight to behold. 📍 Address: Shicheng County, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 💰 Cost: Ticket price 15 yuan