During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, a number of scholars including Zhan Ruoshui and He Baiyun () lived in seclusion on the mountain where they studied Neo-Confucianism and painting. Amongst the most famous scholars was Chinese nationalist Kang Youwei who began planning the 1898 Hundred Days' Reform movement at Mount Xiqiao. Chinese martial artist Huang Feihong was born in the area, where he developed the Nanquan or southern fist fighting style.