Zhuan Fortress

Zhuan Fortress

Zhuan Fortress is a scenic area within the Guanzhai Mountain Scenic Zone. Wandering through Zhuan Fortress, you’ll encounter three breathtaking wonders — “perilous,” “extraordinary,” and “majestic” — that are rare in this world and truly awe-inspiring. The “peril” of the area lies in the “Sky-Scraping Ridge.”

Zhuan Fortress is a scenic area within the Guanzhai Mountain Scenic Zone. It is far from the hustle and bustle of the city, hidden away in a lonely and secluded mountain wilderness. Once a stronghold that was easy to defend but hard to attack, it has now become a cultural landmark that records the history of Guanzhai Mountain, attracting visitors to explore its stories. Wandering through Zhuan Fortress, you’ll encounter three breathtaking wonders — “perilous,” “extraordinary,” and “majestic” — that are rare in this world and truly awe-inspiring. The “peril” of the area lies in the “Sky-Scraping Ridge.”

A narrow stone staircase known as the "Stairway to Heaven," carved along a steep mountain ridge, soars straight into the clouds with sheer cliffs and deep valleys on both sides — an experience of heart-stopping peril. The “extraordinary” wonder is the “Old Man of Longevity Rock.” Nature’s craftsmanship has shaped a massive mountain into a likeness of an old man, claimed to be the finest in the world, as if mountains too possess the essence of longevity just as people seek the secrets to long life. Its eyes, nose, brows, and beard are so lifelike that they inspire warmth and reverence. The “majesty” of the area is embodied in the “Water Gate Wall.” It is an enormous, perfectly rectangular rock face, several thousand meters high and wide, with a thickness of several dozen feet, rising abruptly from the ground like a barrier. Its edges are vertical, forming a natural gate, while the surface shimmers as if streams are flowing across it — hence the name “Water Gate Wall.” It is said to have been formed by tectonic shifts during ancient mountain-building processes.

Passing through a tranquil valley and climbing the “Sky-Scraping Ridge” to reach the summit, you’ll be greeted by a sweeping view of the majestic mountains and rugged paths. After passing through the fortress gate, amidst the flat mountain hollows, trees, and underbrush, you can search for the remnants of the ancient stronghold — and an old legend comes vividly to life. Historical records indicate that in 1857, when the Taiping Rebellion forces led by Shi Dakai occupied Liancheng, some wealthy locals sought this strategically defensible location as the best refuge from chaos. Thus, they built a fortress here and named it “Zhuan Fortress.” Within the fortress, 39 rooms were constructed along the mountain’s contours, complete with halls, living quarters, kitchens, and storage spaces. A pond was carved out of the cliff on the summit of Damao Mountain to collect rainwater for drinking. A fortified gate was also built leading to the back mountain to control access and block the route. At the top of the Sky-Scraping Ridge, another fortified gate was installed, with gunports and cannons guarding the only path up the stone steps — truly a place where one man could hold off ten thousand. Though the legend remains unverified, its association with such a beautiful and spiritual landscape adds a touch of human culture to the natural scenery.