Tiger Head Rock

Tiger Head Rock

Introduction: Also known as "Mountain Lord Rock," Tiger Head Rock is located beside the road from the hot springs to Tangling Pass. This rock formation "stands against the mountain, its head raised as if letting out a roar." It earned its name due to its resemblance to a tiger’s head. Although it only roughly resembles a tiger’s head, its open-mouthed, glaring expression exudes an intimidating aura. There are stone benches beneath the rock, creating the illusion of a tiger opening its mouth to swallow people. This natural wonder is so captivating that one can gaze at it endlessly. The three characters “Tiger Head Rock” are inscribed on the rock, written during the Southern Song Dynasty by Luo Yuan from She County. A local legend tells of a cruel landlord in Huangshan. His young tenant, Dashan, saved an injured tiger that the landlord was hunting. To repay the life-saving kindness, when heavy snow blocked the mountain roads and Dashan’s family was cut off from firewood and food during the New Year, the tiger brought him a girl, a sack of rice, and a pork leg. The girl had been abducted by the landlord for forced marriage and had nowhere to go, so she married Dashan. When the landlord found out, he rushed to confront Dashan with his men. The tiger led Dashan and his wife up the mountain to hide, then crouched nearby with its mouth open, devouring or biting to death the landlord and his followers who came after them. As the tiger kept watch to protect Dashan and his wife, it eventually turned to stone, forming the Tiger Head Rock we see today.

Anhui, Huangshan City