Julong Mountain

Julong Mountain

The "Julong Cave" sign along the Zaoxu Highway marks the way to Julong Mountain. Winding eastward for 4.5 kilometers and passing through Xingyu Village, you’ll arrive at the Julong Mountain parking lot. There, you’ll see three peaks of Julong Mountain lined up in a row, forming a dark, barrier-like ridge — undulating, majestic, and beautiful. Legend has it that when Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was busy campaigning across the country and unable to care for his elderly and frail mother, he left her with ample food and clothing, temporarily placing her in a cave on this mountain for “safekeeping.” Hence, the mountain got its name “Jimu Mountain,” meaning “Mother-Left Mountain.”

From the parking lot, follow a narrow path, winding around rocks and climbing steps as you head uphill to the south. The road is lined with lush trees and blooming flowers. After walking about 500 meters, you’ll come across two mountain peaks standing about 10 meters apart, rising straight toward the sky. Amazingly, the two peaks share similar outlines, and each has a hole running through it. These are the legendary “Swinging Immortal Frames,” where the Seven Fairies were said to have played. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the western peak is actually formed by three smaller peaks tightly joined together. The eastern peak shows multiple cracks about 10 meters long, and its shale base, weathered and burdened over time, has begun to peel away, giving it a precarious appearance. Legend says that Yang Erlang, carrying mountains while riding the clouds, passed by this spot but was spotted by a village woman washing clothes by the river, who saw through his divine secret. In panic, Yang Erlang abandoned the mountains and fled, causing them to crash down onto Julong Mountain. Later, the Seven Fairies descended to earth and visited the site. They threaded a rope through the holes and playfully swung on them, which is how the formation got its name “Swinging Immortal Frames.”