Qiuhushan is renowned for its ‘Echoing Melody of the Ancient Quarry’, which is actually the remnant of an ancient stone quarry. Inside the cave, there is a pool where water from the mountain spring drops into the pool, producing a pleasant sound. The cliff walls stand 3-10 meters high, with clear traces of chiseling visible. Particularly striking is a natural stone bridge formed by quarrying that spans across the cave entrance, creating a unique landscape.
The quarry was established during the Ming Dynasty, and the stones extracted here were transported to build the walls of Lishui County. During the Qing Shunzhi period, it was abandoned after Wei Bing, a local from Lishui, argued that Qiuhushan was the vital pulse of the county and should not be mined for stone. This cessation has led to the formation of a distinctive feature that can rival the already famous Tiansheng Bridge in Lishui.
The sound of the spring water dripping into the pool resembles the melody of a zither, which is why literati from the Qing Dynasty named it ‘Echoing Melody of the Ancient Quarry’ (now included as one of the ‘Eight Scenes of Lishui’). To this day, the words ‘Echoing Melody of the Ancient Quarry’ are still engraved on the cave wall. Due to its remote location, difficulty of access, and lack of development and promotion, this historically valuable site has remained obscure, truly a hidden gem. The opening hours and business status are subject to the daily opening conditions.
