Daotuoxue

Daotuoxue

Daotuoxue: Known for its bizarre rocks, peculiar stones, cascading waterfalls, and plunging streams. The scenic area features deep fault valleys, towering cliffs, rapid currents, and interconnected waterfalls and pools. Within a roughly 100-meter-long canyon, the Zhang River drops over 100 meters in elevation. Daotuoxue’s unique peak stands abruptly upright, resembling the high boots worn by opera performers—but upside down. Starting from the Dragon King Temple upstream are attractions such as Twin Bridges Waterfall View, Rolling Snow Pool; Weaving Cloud Waterfall, Emerald Pool; Flying Snow Waterfall, Treasure Pearl Pool; Hanging Rainbow Waterfall, Jade Lion Pool; Nine-Tiered Waterfall, Five Spill Pools. The canyon also contains Hidden Dragon Cave, Dragon Bed; Heavenly Drum Divine Bell, Golden Pot Vase, Another World, Stone Gate, and more—each offering a dazzling and unique spectacle.

Located in Shimenkeng, Houdai Village, Dongming Township, Xinchang, about 25 kilometers from the city center, this uniquely distinctive scenic area features a solitary rock standing 11 meters tall in a deep valley. With a small base and larger top, its flat, fan-shaped summit resembles a divine boot turned upside down—an astonishing sight. Mountain stream water winds and rushes along Daotuoxue, forming five levels of waterfalls. Emerald pools connect with white water ribbons, some splashing like pearls, others emitting thick mist, with distant thunderous roars. Together with the surrounding green valleys and verdant mountains, they form a breathtaking scene.

Beautiful scenery is often intertwined with touching mythical legends. For example, the Daotuoxue scenic spot has inspired many enchanting stories.

The Daotuoxue scenic spot is located in Shimenkeng, Houdai Mountain, Dongming Township, Xinchang County, approximately 25 kilometers from downtown Xinchang. Here, the mountains are striking, the waters pristine, and strange rocks abound like a forest. In a long, deep valley, a mushroom cloud-like massive peak rises dramatically toward the sky. From afar, it vividly resembles an upside-down long boot—with the sole facing upward—and is thus called “Daotuoxue” (Upside-Down Boot). However, this boot is quite large, standing 11 meters tall and 3 meters wide. By following a crevice on the northern side through sparse woods, visitors can climb to the base of the boot. The rocks forming the boot are all granular sandstone, weathered and accumulated. Up close, one fears they might crumble, but when touched, they feel as solid as cast bronze or iron—utterly immovable. Looking up at the top of the boot, one sees maple trees, pines, and ancient cypresses with uniquely shaped forms, lush and green. No matter how harsh the cold, wind, or rain, these trees stand firmly rooted.

The Daotuoxue scenic spot attracts countless visitors with its unique charm. But the greatest enjoyment is perhaps sitting on the rocks beside “Daotuoxue” to rest, gazing up at the dense forests and graceful bamboo, looking down at the clear emerald pools and springs, and listening to the beautiful legends told by elderly woodcutters taking a break along the way...

Long, long ago, two immortals wandered here and, enchanted by the beautiful mountains and clear waters, were struck by a sudden urge to play chess. But they had no chessboard. One of the immortals then took off one of his boots, turned it upside down, and placed it atop the mountain peak. Using the sole as the chessboard, the two celestial beings eagerly played chess. They played for forty-nine days straight, yet neither could claim victory, and eventually, they simply stood up and left. Over time, that divine boot turned into a stone boot—preserved throughout the ages as a legendary tale...

Another elder, however, says the story goes like this:

Long, long ago, this place was frequently hit by floods, making travel across the river for local residents very difficult. Once, an immortal named Yuan Tiangang passed through and was determined to build a bridge to help the people. He carried stones to lay the foundation, and even took off his boots to serve as bridge piers. But just as he removed one boot, the Dragon King summoned wind and rain, and a merciless flood engulfed him. Tiangang disappeared, but the boot he had taken off remained upright and defiant on the cliff face. The local people often came here to worship this immortal, and so the site became known as Daotuoxue (Upside-Down Boot).

The area around Daotuoxue is embraced by a ring of peaks, creating an enchanting landscape. Its most extraordinary feature is the waterfall beneath the peak. It rushes and cascades down the rocky cliff, forming a unique scene of alternating waterfalls and pools—five-tiered cascades connected by five clear pools. The first waterfall is located under the Waterfall Viewing Bridge, where water gushes out from a natural slot-like cliff opening, stretching about 10 meters. Due to erosion, the cliff wall is slightly recessed, and the waterfall strikes this recess, curling at the edges like a money tail. White waves splash and plunge into the deep pool. The water from the first pool then flows along a stone channel and becomes the second waterfall. It races down like an angry white dragon, plunging more than 10 meters into the second pool, which spans about a hundred square meters. The pool’s mouth is flanked by uniquely shaped rocks like a screen, resembling a cave entrance. Water flows out from the cave mouth, dropping 10 meters to form a waterfall curtain. Halfway down the cliff, it collides with rocks, shattering like flying snow and splashing everywhere before gathering again to flow into the third pool. Above the third pool lies a huge rock resembling a boat, capable of holding over ten people. Standing on it, one is surrounded by thick mist, and the fine spray refreshes and cools the body. The fourth waterfall is the longest of the five. Water flows from the pool and twists through rocks, then hurtles down from a high point through a narrow gap just half a meter wide and with a 70-meter drop. Viewed from above, the fourth waterfall resembles a wild horse galloping through the air, echoing thunderously through the valley, truly heart-stopping. Outside the fourth pool lie several massive, crisscrossing rocks. After the water overflows, it flows parallel for about 70 meters, then winds beneath a stone formation resembling a gate before descending along the cliff to become the fifth waterfall. About two meters high and falling over five meters, the fifth waterfall's curtain is delicate and graceful. After plunging into the pool, the water surges out again, flowing through rock crevices in an endless rush, creating the marvelous spectacle of layered waterfalls crashing against rocks.

Dongming Township: A town under the jurisdiction of Xinchang County. Established in 1950 with the creation of Dongshan and Dongxi Townships, it became Dongxi Commune in 1961, renamed Dongming Commune in 1981, and upgraded to township in 1983. In 1992, Dongming Township and Hongxing Township merged to form the current Dongming Township. Located west of the county seat, 11 kilometers from the county center, it covers an area of 47.8 square kilometers and has a population of 17,000. The Xinchang–Hongxing highway runs through the township. Administrative villages include Julixi, Waileishan, Shanglai, Changle, Lielishan, Wangjialing, Zhangjiaban, Chanqi, Dongjing, Liwang, Jiaocheling, Caobotang, Shandong, Huangzhi Ling, Houdaishan, Houjinshan, Qianping, Houping, Huang... [More detailed information about Dongming Township]++