Daguling

Daguling

Daguling is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Daguling is located in Meixi, Yi County, and serves as the watershed between the Xin’an River and the Qingyi River. The village, with its few dozen households, is scattered along the mountain valleys and takes its name from the ridge. The area is renowned for producing tea, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and various high-quality mixed woods. Among the surrounding peaks, it stands out with its ancient legends and distinctive scenery.

The origin of the name “Daguling” (Drum-Beating Ridge): This area features high mountains and narrow valleys, with dense forests and overlapping peaks. Amidst the rugged cliffs, a white waterfall cascades down, spraying pearls and splashing jade, filling the air with mist and clouds. The waterfall zigzags down the cliff face three times before plunging into a deep pool with a thunderous roar. The sound reverberates through the valley, resembling the pounding of countless drums and gongs—hence the name “Drum-Beating Ridge.”

The Three Waterfalls of Daguling lie hidden within this narrow valley, flowing year-round, unfailing in all seasons. If you climb vines, scale cliffs, and venture through caves, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a celestial realm echoing with the sounds of pipes and drums. From top to bottom, there is one waterfall and one pool for each. The first waterfall resembles a lock of bangs on a young maiden’s cheek—graceful and reserved, with a sound like a softly plucked liuqin (a Chinese string instrument). The second waterfall is like a fairy swirling her sleeves—gentle and affectionate, with a tone akin to a slow pluck of a konghou (a Chinese harp). The third waterfall is like a warrior hoisting a drum and swinging a mallet—bold and heroic, with a booming sound that echoes through the cave like thunder. Below the waterfalls lie three pools, each with its own charm and offering warmth in winter and coolness in summer: the first pool is clear and gently rippling, perfect for scooping up water to drink or brewing tea to refresh the mind; the second pool is serene and profound, ideal for quiet contemplation as your thoughts wander freely; the third pool is bright, calm, and expansive, great for swimming or singing along with the sound of the drums, letting the mountain echoes linger softly.

The phrase “A thousand winding paths lead through the village, with streams meandering past a few homes” could not be more fitting to describe Daguling. The people of Daguling are stepping to the resounding rhythm of drums, marching toward a green path of harmonious development between humanity and nature.