Langxiang Stone Monkey Mountain

Langxiang Stone Monkey Mountain

Langxiang Town is nestled in the lush, misty embrace of the southern foothills of the Lesser Khingan Mountains in Yichun — where three hills rise halfway, and green waters split the land in two, resembling a scene straight out of a Grimm fairy tale. About five hundred years ago, the ancestors of the Manchu people, the Jurchens, arrived in Langxiang to develop this magical land. They fished and hunted along the Ban Yuan River, tilled the fields, and led a contented life of semi-farming and semi-pastoralism.

The Jurchens were not only skilled horsemen and archers but also loved singing and dancing, especially during the Spring Festival when the yangge dance reached its peak. By the beautiful Ban Yuan River, the powerful beats of gongs and drums and the bright, lively sounds of suona horns soared over the mountains and valleys of the Greater Khingan Range, traveled across the Yellow River, and crossed the Yangtze River. At some point, no one knows exactly when or how, a group of monkeys appeared. Unable to get too close, they crowded onto a high little hill, wide-eyed, watching and marveling, sharing in the joy of the people.

The yangge dance was truly lively and fiery, getting everyone wildly excited. The bursts of loud laughter and cheers poured down like thunderstorms, often drowning out the deafening drums and gongs. The golden and crimson tongues of fire in the bonfire also played joyfully, shooting off sparks as if waving to the monkeys. Often under the cover of night, they would sneak down the hill to join the crowd, twisting, jumping, and somersaulting with wild abandon. They had never been so happy.

Perhaps due to the cold weather or hunger, the monkeys gradually left one after another, until only a little monkey remained. When hungry, it would pick some wild mountain fruits to eat, and when thirsty, it would cup its hands to drink peach blossom water. Over time, its body gradually grew roots in the stone beneath it and turned into a stone monkey. This is the origin of Stone Monkey Mountain today, and to this day, you can still make out the enchanted expression on the stone monkey’s face at the mountaintop.

Address: Southern foothills of the Lesser Khingan Mountains, Yichun