Little Solitary Mountain

Little Solitary Mountain

Little Solitary Mountain is a national A-level tourist attraction.

Little Solitary Mountain is located in the southeast of Susong County, Anhui Province, in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, 65 kilometers from the county seat. It faces Penglang Rock in Pengze County, Jiangxi Province, across the river, and echoes with Shizhong Mountain and Longgong Cave in Jiangxi, as well as the national scenic spots Mount Lu, Wuzu Temple in Huangmei County, Hubei Province, and Tianzhu Mountain in Anhui Province. These landmarks stand majestically on both sides of the Yangtze River, forming a triangular shape and creating a natural tourism network. It has long been known as the "First Pass at the Sea Gate," "Heavenly Pillar of the Yangtze," and "Penglai on the River." This widely renowned tourist destination boasts picturesque scenery. Little Solitary Mountain is famous worldwide for its uniqueness, steepness, beauty, and solitude, and has been praised by poets and scholars throughout history as the "Solitary Island of the Yangtze" and the "Pillar in the Midst of the River."

Little Solitary Mountain was originally a rocky islet in the river, formed around two million years ago during the Quaternary glacial period. It stands as a solitary peak, surrounded by water on three sides, thrusting directly into the river’s heart with a majestic and perilous presence. Massive rocks hang precariously on the steep cliffs, giving the impression of “blocking a hundred rivers over a thousand miles and encompassing a range of mountains beneath its feet.” Although the mountain is no more than a hundred meters high and about a li in circumference, its unique shape resembles a lotus flower emerging from the water, standing alone and proud. The mountain is home to secluded caves, clear waves, jade-like bamboo, verdant pavilions, and exquisite pavilions, all complementing each other in breathtaking beauty. Though small in size, its spirit towers above other mountains, locking in the Golden and Fiery peaks downstream and restraining thousands of waves upstream. The Dabie Mountains admire its elegance, and the Five Elders Peak yields to its steadfastness. Its allure has captivated poets and scholars throughout history, leaving behind countless verses even more famous than Su Dongpo’s line: “The great and little solitaries lie in the middle of the river.” For thousands of years, Little Solitary Mountain has been celebrated for its uniqueness, steepness, isolation, and solitude. Descriptions such as “a grandmaster’s chair to the east, a writing brush to the south, a hanging bell to the west, and a dragon howling at the sky to the north” vividly capture its essence. As the patriotic poet Lu You of the Southern Song Dynasty praised: “The river flows east straight down to Wu, yet none can tame its wild surges. The world wrongly speaks of gallant men—yet the pillar must still yield to Little Maiden.”

Little Solitary Mountain has a long history. Legend has it that Yu the Great, who controlled the floods, once carved a stone here to record his achievements. Emperor Qin Shi Huang, on his eastern tour, inscribed the words “Pillar in the Midst of the River” on a rock. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the name of Little Solitary Mountain first appeared in the writings of poets. The term “Solitary Mountain” refers to its independent and unyielding nature, while the prefix “Little” distinguishes it from the “Great Solitary Mountain” in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi. The mountain stands tall and proud in the middle of the river, with Tianzhu Mountain to the north and Mount Lu to the south. Because its shape resembles an ancient woman’s hairstyle, it is also called “Ji Mountain” (Hairpin Mountain). Due to the similar pronunciation of “Xiao Gu” (Little Solitary) and “Xiao Gu” (Little Maiden), it gradually became known as “Little Maiden.” Over time, stories arose of Little Maiden and Peng Lang (transformed from Penglang Rock) falling in love—a tale that adds a layer of mystery to the mountain.

Little Solitary Mountain is filled with scenic wonders, each more remarkable than the last. It is crowned with rare flowers and plants, while the Yangtze River’s rapids surge below. It is said that the ocean tides do not rise beyond this point, hence it is also known as “Sea Gate Mountain” and “First Pass at the Sea Gate.” The paths winding up the mountain are layered and twisting, sometimes approaching the waves, other times suspended in midair, offering a new surprise with every step. The sight of peculiar peaks adorned with strange rocks and ancient trees wrapped in misty clouds transports visitors to a paradise. The mountain is covered in lush green grass, dense forests, and elegant bamboo, with temples and pavilions arranged in distinct layers. Ascending the mountain, one encounters a succession of historic sites, including the One-Day Gate, Dragon Horn Rock, Dragon Ear Cave, Guan Yu Hall, Amitabha Pavilion, First Moon Tower, Half-Side Pagoda, Tide Boundary Shrine, Imperial Poem Stele, Dressing Pavilion, Wave-Viewing Pavilion, Qixiu Temple, Scripture Depository, Goddess Hall, and the Mahavira Hall—over ten attractions in total. Each site boasts its own charm and local legends, along with plaques inscribed by historical figures and calligraphy by literati. Reaching the summit involves climbing 365 steps, symbolizing experiencing a new wonder with each day of the year. The paths wind through serene seclusion, with spectacular sights appearing one after another. Standing on the “Heavenly Ladder,” flanked by peaks on either side, one can take in all the wonders of the world, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy.

Little Solitary Mountain is not only scenically beautiful but also strategically important, making it a contested military stronghold throughout history. After the Southern Song Dynasty, beacon towers and artillery emplacements were established here. The Red Turban Army and Yu Que of the Yuan Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang of the Ming Dynasty, and the Xiang Army of Peng Yulin and the Taiping Army of the Qing Dynasty all clashed here in battles for supremacy. Hence, it is also known as the “Gateway to Anqing” and the “Pass between Chu and Wu.”

Situated on the banks of the Yangtze River and surrounded by water on three sides, Little Solitary Mountain enjoys extremely convenient waterway transportation. According to incomplete statistics over the years, more than 600,000 pilgrims and over 40,000 tourists visit the mountain annually. In 1999, the Anqing Tourism Bureau and Port Authority jointly built a dedicated tourist wharf for Little Solitary Mountain. Passenger and cruise ships from Shanghai to the Three Gorges, Nanjing to Chongqing, and Wuhu to Jiujiang all make stops here. In terms of land transportation, Susong County, located at the junction of three provinces and connected to seven counties, has an extensive network of roads. It is accessible to Jiujiang and Nanchang to the south, Wuhan in Hubei to the west, and Hefei to the north. Highways 105 and 318, as well as the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, run through Susong, and the Anjiu Riverside Highway passes conveniently near the mountain. Thanks to government attention, the mountain’s stunning scenery, and its convenient water and land transport, it attracts numerous visitors for sightseeing.

Little Solitary Mountain is one of Anhui Province’s famous scenic spots. Its distinctive landscapes and rich cultural heritage form a high-quality tourist destination. In 1987, the People’s Government of Anhui Province designated Little Solitary Mountain as a provincial-level scenic area.