Dading Mountain Scenic Area

Dading Mountain Scenic Area

Dading Mountain Scenic Area

Dading Mountain Scenic Area, with an elevation of 464 meters, features towering and steep peaks that are often shrouded in clouds and mist. The mountain faces north, where two massive rocks hang down from above, overlapping to form a “V” shape and creating a hundred-zhang cliff suspended midway up the slope—resembling an open mosquito net. Hence, this spot is called “Curtain Gate.” About fifty meters to the left of Curtain Gate…

On the upper left side of the mountain, there is another small peak about one hundred meters high, entirely naturally stacked with boulders, resembling a reclining toad. Therefore, it is also known as “Toad Stone.” Legend has it that the main peak of Dading Mountain was transformed from a swan. Because the toad wanted to eat the swan’s meat, it was struck by lightning and turned into “Toad Stone,” forever gazing at the sky in lament. The front of “Toad Stone” faces the main peak of Dading Mountain, which has ancient city walls, with one remaining gate built during the Taiping Rebellion when they fought against the Qing army. From the base of Dading Mountain to the foot, there were three temples: upper, middle, and lower. Currently, the ruins of the middle and lower temples still remain.

It is said that a realized monk once lived in seclusion at the Middle Temple, chanting scriptures and eating vegetarian food every day without ever lacking oil or salt. This was because there was a giant rock in front of the temple with a hole that daily released a certain amount of oil and salt for the monk’s use. This rock was known as the “Oil-Salt Pot.” Later, a greedy landlord discovered this secret and secretly took a hatchet and chisel to enlarge the oil-salt hole, hoping it would produce more so he could sell it for profit. But ever since it was tampered with, the “Oil-Salt Pot” stopped yielding anything, the monk quietly left, and the landlord gained nothing. Since then, the Middle Temple fell into decline. However, in front of the temple there is still a clear reservoir, tall bamboo groves, murmuring streams, and vast orchards and tea gardens exuding fragrance. The tea produced here is renowned for its natural aroma. The Lower Temple is also famous for its premium green tea, with over 400 acres of tea fields. At the foot of the mountain lies a reservoir suitable for fishing. Whenever new tea is on the market, vehicles flock to the Middle and Lower Temples to buy tea, making it an ideal destination for tourism and sightseeing.

Address: Suburbs of Bin County, Harbin City