Tiger Valley Gorge

Tiger Valley Gorge

The Tiger Valley Gorge Scenic Tourism Area is situated at the junction of Yaxiang Township and Xiangyang Township in the southeastern part of Huanren Manchu Autonomous County, 26 kilometers from the county seat, in Michanggou and Heping Village of Yaxiang Township. Originally called Tiger Cave Gully and Tiger Watch, it is now known as Tiger Valley Gorge. Tiger Watch was once recognized as one of the top ten scenic spots in Huanren. This recognition was also related to the transportation at the time, which mainly relied on waterways—water transport was more important than today's land routes. Tiger Watch was famous for its stunning scenery, and although the waters were not wild or perilous, boats passing through had to be cautious, lest they be "swallowed" by the Tiger’s Mouth. That memory remains vivid. Today, the Tiger’s Mouth has been submerged by the rising waters of Huilong Lake, and the currents are no longer as fierce or dangerous.

The Tiger Valley Gorge Scenic Tourism Area consists of mountains, water, islands, lakes, and historical sites. The mountains are part of the Long White Mountain range, specifically the Laoling branch; the water is the Hun River, a tributary of the Yalu River; the island is Tiger Lie Island; the lake is Huilong Lake; and the historical site is the General’s Tomb. The entire area spans dozens of square kilometers. Visiting Tiger Valley Gorge allows you to enjoy the green mountains and clear waters, explore cultural landmarks, and listen to local legends about birds and beasts, immersing yourself in rural charm. Additionally, you can dine, stay overnight, relax, go fishing, and hold various conferences on Tiger Lie Island within the scenic area.

Although Tiger Valley Gorge may not rival nationally renowned mountains and rivers, it is still a notable attraction and can be considered a scenic gem of Eastern Liaoning. It features four main scenic zones: Hidden Dragon Bay, Tiger Lie Island, Tiger Valley Gorge, and the General’s Tomb, along with dozens of individual sites. With steep cliffs, unique pines, serene islands, emerald waters, magical legends, and tranquil historical remnants, Tiger Valley Gorge is a treasured land where dragons and tigers are said to dwell.

Hidden Dragon Bay

This place is commonly known as Swallow Tail, or Yanwei by locals, and some also call this scenic area "Dragons Gathering by the River." The left bank of Hidden Dragon Bay appears as if the mountains have curved along the flow of the water, but in reality, it is the river that bends around the mountain shapes. Though only a few miles long, every cliff, gully, and hillside has been given a name by the locals, with over a dozen such names, including Ice Lake Gully, Old Man Cliff, Stone Flow, and Eighteen Rapids. This is a hallmark of mountainous regions—every spot, big or small, has a name. Hidden Dragon Bay boasts several attractions and landscapes. Some of the more famous ones include:

Azure Dragon Hanging Waterfall. Located at the upper end of Hidden Dragon Bay. Above it is the Azure Dragon Pool, and below it hangs a pure white waterfall like a silk ribbon. In the past, people claimed to see water jets shooting up from the Azure Dragon Pool, believed to be the Azure Dragon showing its divine power as it ascended to the heavens. The hanging waterfall is said by some to be the dragon’s drool, spilled out of envy after seeing the beautiful scenery of Tiger Valley Gorge—which had been claimed by a tiger—and thus we have the waterfall before us today.

Elephant Trunk Rock. This spot was originally called Bear Den, a place where black bears were said to have once lingered. There are no black bears here anymore, but in the past, it was rumored that they attacked people. The rocky outcrop now resembles an elephant’s trunk, hence the name Elephant Trunk Rock. We don’t have elephants in the north, but our mountainous region is teeming with all kinds of wildlife, from wolves and tigers to birds and beasts. This area of Tiger Valley Gorge was once a frequent haunt for these animals, and some still roam here today. Have you ever wondered about the origin of the Stone Flow? Legend has it that a fox spirit causing harm was struck dead by thunder from the heavens, and the fox’s den was also shattered, giving rise to the Stone Flow. As you boat from the starting point up to Hidden Dragon Bay, you’ll often see flocks of wild ducks swimming on the surface or flying overhead, and sometimes grey cranes gracefully dancing in the sky. As for fish, turtles, shrimp, and crabs in the water—there are plenty. Tiger Valley Gorge is nature’s domain and an animal kingdom, with creatures of the air, land, and water forming a triad of life.

Tiger Lie Island

Huilong Lake was originally called Huilong Reservoir. The Huilong Power Plant generates electricity by releasing water through man-made tunnels, and it was completed in the 1970s. With a capacity of 120 million cubic meters, an annual output of 170 million kilowatt-hours, and a water area of 25 square kilometers, it not only produces electricity but also ensures irrigation for 200 acres of rice paddies on both banks. The Huilong Power Station is one of the seven cascade hydropower stations on the Hun River in Huanren. After the reservoir was built, the water deepened and the currents became calmer, and the once-treacherous rapids of Tiger Watch disappeared.

Tiger Lie Island covers nearly 0.1 square kilometers, 60,000 square meters, or over 100 acres. Initially called Daba Island, it was once home to a few households. People have long cultivated crops on the island, achieving bountiful harvests year after year. The island is shaped like a long, willow-leaf, and is sometimes called Willow Leaf Island. Because it was once a resting place for tigers and is associated with legends of the Tiger Immortal, it is also known as Tiger Lie Island or Tiger Immortal Island. Nowadays, it is generally called Tiger Lie Island. The island is flat, with no hills or rocks, and has fertile soil suitable for farming.

Although not large in size, Tiger Lie Island enjoys a degree of fame in the region. It is the most well-known among the over ten midstream and in-lake islands in the Hun River waters of Huanren and is one of Huanren’s Four Famous Islands: Wanle Island, Tiger Lie Island, Moon Island, and Gushan Island.

Staying on Tiger Lie Island allows you to witness the ethereal morning mist over Huilong Lake and the shimmering moon over the river at night.

The Tiger Valley Gorge Scenic Area includes the steep cliffs towering over the river and lake, the gorge itself, several valleys below Tiger Valley Gorge, and the pine and rock landscapes around Malugou. The Tiger Valley Gorge sub-area features over ten attractions and is characterized by four main features:

First, its extraordinary character. With steep and rugged mountains and cliffs, it does not present a flat or unremarkable appearance. The cliffs and rocks are grayish-white, not dull, but rather somewhat bright, their knife-edge-like forms reflected in the river and lake.

Second, the unique shapes of the cliffs. The cliffs here are not ordinary. Not only are they steep and precipitous, but their shapes are also peculiar. On the eastern peak’s slope, several slab-like stone stalagmites emerge from the ground, pointing straight toward the sky. Rabbit Tooth resembles a massive fossilized rabbit tooth—so large it could easily chew through an elephant, let alone grass. Stone Monkey by the Peak is found in several locations on the western peak’s cliff edge. The entrance to Tiger Valley Gorge is called Tiger Gate Pass, which exudes a majestic and solemn aura, truly a “foreboding tiger gate.” The entrance is about ten meters wide, flanked by towering slab-like rocks standing opposite each other like two grand doors guarding the pass—a natural barrier. There is space at the entrance, with gullies extending upward into the heights on either side. Inside the gate, steep cliffs rise on both sides, and on the inner side, there is a tiger cave, seemingly a sentry post for a guard tiger. On the eastern and western peaks, there are several tiger caves of varying shapes and depths. On the slopes of the eastern and western peaks, there are several sets of steep, parallel, upward-climbing double peaks, which can be called Parallel Cliffs, or Brother Cliffs, or Sister Cliffs. Standing shoulder to shoulder, they form a neat, symmetrical, and breathtaking sight. These cliff formations resemble Two Dragons Probing the River or Twin Dragons Playing with Water, but the height and steepness of the Parallel Cliffs surpass those. This may be a unique feature of the cliff shapes in the Tiger Valley Gorge area. It evokes a sense of divine power and also embodies the spirit of unity and striving forward together. To the west of the western peak, along the river, there are four steep gullies and perilous peaks, and on the eastern slope of Malugou behind the Tiger Valley Gorge, there are some unique pine and rock landscapes with distinctive cliff and rock forms. The uniquely shaped cliffs and rocks make Tiger Valley Gorge a valuable resource.

Third, the spiritual charm of the unique pines. A cluster of unique pines has formed here. Cultural visitors who come to Tiger Valley Gorge greatly admire its extraordinary pines. Legend has it that the Hundred Trees Conference, where the Tree King was chosen, was held in Huanren, and the green pine was elected as the king. The pines of Huanren are said to be spiritually endowed. You can admire the charm and majesty of the unique pines in Tiger Valley Gorge.

Fourth, the more perilous, the more marvelous. The most beautiful and unique sights in Tiger Valley Gorge are found in the dangerous spots, and only by ascending to the perilous peaks can you truly appreciate the scenery of Tiger Valley Gorge.

There are over ten attractions:

1. Cliffs Reflected in the River and Unique Pine Rock Scenery. Several hundred meters of cliffs are reflected in the lake. Near Tiger Valley Gorge by the river, there are Tiger Watch, Giant Rabbit Tooth, Slab Rocks Piercing the Sky, Heavenly Gate Peak, and Stone Monkey by the Peak.

2. Tiger Gate Pass. At the entrance to Tiger Valley Gorge, slab-like cliffs stand opposite each other like a natural barrier, with gullies extending upward inside the gate, creating a guarded atmosphere.

3. Mysterious Tiger Caves. There are several deep and dark tiger caves within Tiger Valley Gorge.

4. Heavenly Gate Rock. On the eastern peak’s slope in Tiger Valley Gorge, there is a natural stone gate about several meters wide and nearly ten meters high, with green pines standing upright above it.

5. Parallel Cliffs, Brother Cliffs, and Sister Cliffs. There are three sets of steep, upward-climbing parallel double peaks within Tiger Valley Gorge.

6. Steep Gullies and Perilous Peaks. On the western peak of Tiger Valley Gorge and the nearby river area, there are four steep gullies and perilous peaks, with green pines standing atop them.

7. Pines Competing in Wonder. The Tiger Valley Gorge Scenic Area features many unique pines full of charm, such as the Guest-Greeting Pine, Cluster Pine, Sister Pines, Arhat Pine, Hero Pine, Twisted Pine, and Umbrella Pine.

8. Ivy-Covered Cliff. The ivy plant clings to the cliffs in dense patches, and in autumn, it turns the cliffs red—an unusual sight.

9. Pine Ridge Formation. On the eastern slope of Malugou, there are several rows of pine-covered ridges.

10. Seek adventure and thrills. The spectacular sights of Hugu Canyon are mostly found in its most perilous spots — only by scaling mountains and braving the dangers can you truly appreciate the canyon’s wonders. The greater the risk, the greater the wonder; there is no wonder without risk.

Xiangyang Township: Located in the southeastern part of the county, Xiangyang Township lies between longitude 129.9°–125.7° east and latitude 40.10° north, approximately 26 kilometers from the county town. It borders Shajianzi Town to the east, faces Qingshangou in Kuandian across the river to the south, neighbors Yaxiang Township to the west, and adjoins Erpengdianzi Town to the north. The Hun River runs from north to south through the township, which covers a total area of 208.2 square kilometers. The total land area of the township is 295.9 hectares, including 234.9 hectares designated for residential and industrial use.

The township primarily relies on animal-powered plowing, supplemented by mechanical harrowing and manual planting... More detailed information about Xiangyang Township ++