Introduction

Jiangxin Islet lies in the middle reach of the Oujiang River, north of Wenzhou, boasting numerous scenic spots and historical relics, and is known as a National AAAA Level tourist attraction. It is one of the four most renowned islets in China, and is referred to as “Penglai” (a fairyland of immortals).

The islet is rich in beautiful natural sceneries, historic sites and cultural landscapes and has continually attracted large numbers of people, including renowned poets and celebrities, such as Xie Linyun, Meng Haoran and Wen Tianxiang. According to rough calculations, no less than 1,000 pieces of poetry have been written in praise of the islet.

The islet features cultural and historical relics which are protected at provincial and municipal levels, the most renowned of them being the Jiangxin Temple and the East and West Pagodas. The Jiangxin Temple stands in the middle of the two soaring pagodas, was built in 1789 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and is composed of four parts – the Heavenly Guardians Hall, the Main Hall, the Three Saints Hall and the Abbot's Room. The East and West Pagodas are the landmarks on the islet, and were built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Song Dynasty (960-1279). The two pagodas are similar in size and appearance, both with six sides and seven storeys. There are two stone steles and a pavilion near the pagoda where visitors can rest and enjoy the excellent view.