Located 1 kilometer south of the city of Huzhou, the mountain was originally named Xian Mountain. After Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian (reigned from 705 to 710), it was renamed Xian Mountain to avoid using the emperor’s name. In ancient times, Xian Mountain was home to numerous scenic spots and historical sites, such as the Xian Pavilion built by Yin Kang of the Jin Dynasty, the Wuhua Pavilion built by Wei Jingxian from the Tang Tianbao years twelve to fourteen (753-755), the Gaofeng Hall and Jia Ke Temple that honored famous historical figures, the Sanxian Temple, and the Yilao Hall where celebrities gathered. The scenery is extremely serene and beautiful.
A more famous historical site on the mountain is the ‘Wa Zun Pavilion’. The Wa Zun is situated at the peak of Xian Mountain and takes the shape of a concave stone vessel, measuring 2 meters in length and approximately 1.5 meters in width. Historical records indicate that this vessel could hold five piculs of wine. During the Tang Kaiyuan period (713-741), Li Shi, the great-grandson of Emperor Taizong, served as a local official in Huzhou and often climbed Xian Mountain with friends, storing wine in the Wa Zun and drinking heartily with his guests. At the beginning of the Tianbao era, Li Shi was promoted to the position of Right Deputy Prime Minister, and the locals built the ‘Wa Zun Pavilion’ at the spot where Li used to climb. Today, the ancient stele of the Wa Zun Pavilion is still preserved, with the Wa Zun stele standing at 2 meters tall, half of which is buried in the ground.
In the seventh year of the Tang Dali era (772), Yan Zhenqing served as the prefect of Huzhou. During his tenure, he invited 29 famous scholars, including Lu Yu and Jiao Ran, to climb Xian Mountain, where they gathered at the Wa Ge Stone to drink in a circular formation, gazed into the distance, and were inspired to compose poetry, creating a joint poem with the famous scholars. Today, the ‘Complete Tang Poems’ collection includes Yan Zhenqing’s ‘Climbing Xian Mountain and Observing Li Zuoxiang’s Stone Zun Linked Verse’, consisting of 58 lines with 29 couplets, totaling 290 characters, which has become a significant cultural gathering in the history of Huzhou.
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