Giant Stone Mountain

Giant Stone Mountain

Giant Stone Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Giant Stone Mountain is located in Luoling Town, Yixiu District, Anqing City, Anhui Province, on the northern shore of the Yangtze River by Caizi Lake. It is the site of the Anqing Giant Stone Mountain Eco-Cultural Tourism Area, covering a total area of 43 square kilometers. The area gets its name from the unique giant stone geological landscapes formed over millions of years by various endogenic and exogenic forces. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, boasting the largest outdoor expansion training base in China. It is a comprehensive tourist destination that combines pristine leisure sightseeing, scientific and cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, and specialty dining.

Giant Stone Mountain is world-renowned for its “Five Wonders”: spectacular peaks, beautiful valleys, mystical rocks, serene caves, and floral seas. The scenic area is surrounded by mountains and water, rich in ecological resources. The bamboo forests resemble oceans, the pine winds roar like tides, the maple leaves blaze like fire, and there are also wild white magnolia flowers covering the hillsides—features that are truly unique in East China and rare even across the nation. There are 48 peaks, 36 valleys, 81 rocks, and 72 caves, including Dragon Head Peak, Heavenly Ape Asking the Sky, Weaving Maid Peak, Heaven on Earth, Arhat Peak, Penglai Three Immortals, Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, Hidden Dragon Cave Heaven, Wind-Moving Rock, and Mighty Dragon Cave.

Located at the mysterious 30th parallel north, along with the Bermuda Triangle, the Dead Sea in Jordan, and the Pyramids of Egypt, Giant Stone Mountain is hailed as the “Ninth Wonder of the World.” The Longquan Temple is shrouded in incense, with misty air blending with water vapor. Amidst this poetic landscape, numerous rare birds and animals make their home, adding vibrancy and vitality to the tranquil and serene surroundings.

“Within five li, three scholars rose; across the river, two top imperial examinees emerged.” As the birthplace of the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, for thousands of years, Giant Stone Mountain has nurtured many outstanding talents through its unique mountain-water culture: during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it produced two top imperial examinees, Liu Ruozai and Long Ruyan, and three scholars, Yao Sunpei, Long Limen, and Xu Liyue. It was also home to the distinguished calligrapher and seal carver Deng Shiru, who captured worldwide attention. In modern times, it gained fame as the hometown of nuclear physicist Deng Jiaxian, one of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite” pioneers, and Huangmei opera performing artist Yan Fengying.

Here, the transcendent Zen culture and the worldly Tongcheng culture blend perfectly, creating a radiant synergy. Ascend the Yin Feng Pavilion, where layered peaks and shimmering waves unfold before you. The timeless verses composed by literati and poets seem to still echo in the air, while the distant sound of the gentle Huangmei folk tune carried by the breeze brings a sense of peace and joy, almost making one feel as if they could ascend to the heavens.

Giant Stone Mountain is famous for its marvelous stones, which take on countless shapes. With winding paths leading to secluded spots and hidden wonders, visitors can explore the mysterious Dragon Palace secret passage along the rippling waters of the Green Lotus Pool. Soon, the path opens up to reveal the highest peak, Dragon Head Peak, standing majestically in view. From the summit, the vast and misty Caizi Lake spreads out as far as the eye can see.

Mountains are the soul of water, and water is the charm of mountains. The reason Giant Stone Mountain is so serene and lively is because it is nourished by the purity of water. It borders Caizi Lake, embraced by mountains and encircled by water, combining strength with gentleness. The Fengxi Stream meanders gracefully with murmuring waters, like the soft whispers of Fenggu offering to the little dragon. The Green Lotus Pool is crystal-clear and deep, with emerald waves brimming, like the profound affection the Weaving Maid offers to the Cowherd. Moreover, Fenghu Lake and Caizi Lake stretch endlessly with misty waters, the clear sands and white shores of Kongcheng at Dusk Snow, the interplay of sky and clouds at Zhuhu Lake with Wild Geese Descending, and the feathery lightness of sails returning at Ditu with Reeds—each scene contributing to the four of the Eight Scenic Spots of Tongcheng being associated with these lakes. No wonder it inspires awe. Furthermore, during the Liberation War, the grand scene of the Liu-Deng Army organizing massive boat drills here on the eve of their Yangtze River crossing operation was nothing short of earth-shaking and soul-stirring.

Luoling Town: Luoling Town is located at the southern tip of Tongcheng City, 28 kilometers from Anqing City. The Yang (qiao)–Xin (du) Highway runs through the entire territory, connecting to National Highway 206 to the north, bordering Huaining County to the west, and adjacent to the suburbs of Anqing City to the south. It is known as the famous “Land of Fish and Rice,” “Hometown of Huangmei Opera,” “Plastic Capital,” and “Wonton Capital.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it gained renown for the saying “Within five li, three scholars rose; across the river, two top imperial examinees emerged.” In modern times, it is the birthplace of the renowned Huangmei opera performing artist Yan Fengying. The town covers a total area of 73.16 square kilometers, with 38,428 mu of arable land, 36,523 mu of mountainous areas, and water surfaces spanning... More details about Luoling Town++