Kaoke Grand Canyon Scenic Area

Kaoke Grand Canyon Scenic Area

Kaoke Grand Canyon Scenic Area

The Kaoke Grand Canyon extends nearly 20 kilometers deep, reaching all the way into the heart of Mount Guniujiang. It is deep, winding, and boasts extraordinarily unique scenery. The canyon is also known as "Journey to the West Canyon" because of a natural stone formation called "Stone Monkeys Worshipping the Buddha," which resembles the characters from the classic Chinese novel, including Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

The entire canyon is divided into two sections. The lower part is an ideal spot for viewing streams and rocks. Above it, the area features dense forests, thick grass, steep slopes, and perilous cliffs, but the scenery here is even more magnificent and spectacular, making it a great destination for adventure tourism. The peaks here gather like a gathering, with bizarre rocks and sheer cliffs in a thousand different forms; the trees are lush, with verdant pines and cypresses that are twisted yet vigorous; clouds and mist shroud the area, creating ever-changing views. An ancient poem titled "Sunrise at the Summit" vividly depicts the enchanting landscape: “The rising sun gradually bathes the sky in red, shining together on the high peaks, doubling their beauty. The stone crevices fully open as the blue mist disperses, the pine branches are fully revealed, wrapped in crimson gauze. The spring light is bright and clear like hanging silk, the dragon cave is hazy as if tinged with red. Bring wine and come to sit atop the peak, where endless wonders fill the view.”

Before entering the canyon, visit the ancient battlefield. At the foot of the mountain where the canyon is located, there is a flat and open valley—the famous Zeng Guofan Drill Ground. In those days, Zeng Guofan, then serving as the Viceroy of Liangjiang, was stationed in Qimen and engaged in fierce battles with the Taiping Army. He trained the Xiang Army here. In front of the valley lies a low hill, said to have been Zeng Guofan’s general platform. Time has passed, and the world has changed—the glories of the past have all vanished without a trace. Nowadays, this place has become a popular spot for people to explore history.