Fahanshan Mountain in Menglian County, Puer
Overview of Fahanshan Mountain
Fahanshan Mountain (法罕山), known as “Golden Cliff” in the Dai language, is revered by the Dai people as a “sacred mountain” and “Buddha mountain.” According to legend, the Buddha once visited Fahanshan Mountain to rest, leaving behind a divine imprint on the cliff, which continues to be venerated by the Dai people and others in Southeast Asia.
The Legend of Fahanshan Mountain
The story goes that the Buddha, while traveling through ancient Menglian (孟连), saw the desolate landscape and decided to stop and help the people. While meditating on the cliff of Fahanshan Mountain, he was attacked by an evil dragon. The Buddha managed to subdue the dragon, and to punish it while benefiting the land, he transformed the dragon’s body into a river, while its head became two mountains. This river is known today as the Nanlei River (南垒河), and the two mountains are the Golden Mountain (金山) and Silver Mountain (银山).
Upon hearing of the Buddha’s arrival at Fahanshan Mountain, nearby dragons came to pay their respects. In their haste, some dragons accidentally injured their bellies, and where their blood fell, lush Dragon’s Blood Trees (龙血树) began to grow. These trees are not only long-lived but also produce a bright red sap resembling blood plasma when cut.
Geographic Features and Flora
Fahanshan Mountain has an elevation of 1,203 meters and covers an area of approximately 730 acres. It is home to a variety of rare subtropical species, including:
- Dragon’s Blood Trees (龙血树)
- Purple Yang Wood (紫柚木)
- Banyan Trees (大叶榕)
The mountain also features five caves of various sizes.
Menglian’s Sacred Fish Festival
Story of the Festival
The “Menglian Nayun Sacred Fish Festival” (孟连娜允神鱼节) is celebrated every May, featuring a lively fish-catching event with thousands of participants, along with the rich Tusi culture, elegant ancient music, diverse ethnic customs, exciting folk activities, traditional ethnic dances, and delicious local cuisine, all merging to create a vibrant festival atmosphere.
The festival is rooted in the legends of Fahanshan Mountain. The story of the Sacred Fish Festival invites curiosity: What is the sacred fish? Why do thousands participate in catching it? Why is there a traditional Tusi feast? All these questions trace back to the legends of Fahanshan Mountain.
The Sacred Fish Legend
Long ago, Shakyamuni Buddha descended to the mortal world and passed through Menglian. Upon seeing the desolation, he sat on the cliffs of Fahanshan Mountain, pondering how to benefit the land. Suddenly, an evil dragon that dominated the region attacked. The Buddha recited prayers while grasping the dragon’s tail, and with a flick of his wrist, transformed the dragon’s horns into the Golden and Silver Mountains, its body into the Nanlei River, and its head into the mysterious Dragon Pond.
The dragons, witnessing the Buddha’s victory over the evil dragon, began to gather and pay their respects. Among them, the King of Fish, Jinliyu (金鲤鱼), along with his daughter Nibahan (婻巴罕), made their home here, protecting the three mountains and one river of Menglian. As some dragons were injured while rushing to pay homage, the blood they shed nurtured the Dragon’s Blood Trees, which now flourish in the region.
The miraculous events attracted the local people, who, unable to prepare offerings, quickly caught fish from nearby streams, roasted them, and brought them to Fahanshan Mountain to present to the Buddha. The Buddha, compassionate to all beings, accepted their offerings and released the roasted fish into the waters of the Dragon Pond, where they miraculously revived.
The revived fish became known as “sacred fish,” and a protective pool, the Sacred Fish Pool (神鱼池), was established at the water’s edge. During the festival, monks gather at the Sacred Fish Pool for a release ceremony to bless the deceased, eliminate misfortunes, and accumulate virtue. It is said that those who drink from the Sacred Fish Pool will be blessed with children.
Location
- Address: Menglian County (孟连县), Puer City (普洱市), Yunnan Province (云南省)
How to Get There
Visitors can reach Fahanshan Mountain by traveling from Puer City to Menglian County. Local transportation options include buses and taxis. The mountain is located approximately one kilometer north of Menglian County center.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is during the dry season (October to April) to enjoy comfortable weather and beautiful scenery.
- Cultural Respect: Be mindful of local customs, especially during the Sacred Fish Festival.
- Wildlife Watching: Bring binoculars and a camera to appreciate the rare flora and fauna.
- Preparation: Ensure to carry water and snacks, as amenities may be limited near the mountain.
