High on the slopes of Mount Xiu, Qingliang Terrace lives up to its name. "Qingliang" translates to cool and refreshing, a physical reality created by the dense canopy of ancient trees and the steady breezes rising off the lakes below. Originally established as a Buddhist temple during the late Tang Dynasty, the site grew significantly under the direction of the Yuan Dynasty monk Master Tieniu. Over centuries of Ming and Qing expansions, it evolved into a cohesive architectural complex.

Today, visitors navigate a "four-courtyard, three-passage" layout that seamlessly connects distinct historical structures, including the Guixiang Hall, Penglai Pavilion, and the Wuhou Shrine. Stepping through the main gate, guests enter the "Little Western Paradise," a courtyard carefully arranged with traditional bonsai and flower beds. Further east, the Wuhou Shrine centers around a massive ancient apricot tree, its branches extending like a giant umbrella to cast deep shade across the stone paving. Throughout the terrace, carved wooden plaques and poetic couplets frame the doorways, contributing to Mount Xiu's reputation as a mountain defined by its rich literary inscriptions.

The terrace holds a distinct place in modern Chinese history. In 1915, a young Zhu De arrived in Tonghai County to lead military operations in southern Yunnan. He made his residence in Haiyun Tower, one of the buildings within the Qingliang complex. During his six-month stay in this quiet mountain retreat, he began formulating the early military strategies and revolutionary ideas that would later define his career.

A recent comprehensive restoration, opened to the public in July 2025, brings this specific era back to life. The updated exhibition spans nearly 400 square meters, meticulously recreating Zhu De's living quarters. Visitors can walk through the restored historical scenes, view archival photographs, and explore the newly added bronze statue square and library. The site stands as a quiet intersection of deep antiquity and modern history, offering a space where centuries-old architectural traditions and twentieth-century revolutionary memory exist side by side.