Back Mountain Waterfall

Back Mountain Waterfall

Back Mountain, originally named Hounao Mountain, boasts picturesque scenery. Su Shi, the great literary figure of the Song Dynasty, once visited this place.

The Back Mountain Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Yangxin County. It is located about 38 kilometers from the county seat. The source of the waterfall is a spring called “Fairy Maiden Spring.” Legend has it that for generations, the people of Back Mountain had to carry water down the mountain or collect it from crevices in the rocks. One noon, an elderly man from Wangtabao in Back Mountain was collecting water from a rock crevice when a fairy maiden who happened to pass by said, “Elder, could you give me a bowl of water to drink?” Without hesitation, the old man scooped up a bowl of water and handed it to her. After drinking, the fairy maiden blew a puff of air at the crevice, and the water gushed out with a sudden surge. The old man wanted to thank her, but she had already ascended into the clouds. Later, the locals named the spring “Fairy Maiden Spring.” Today, the pool has been expanded into a large mountain reservoir with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters, and a power station has been built. It not only supplies electricity to the villagers of Back Mountain but also transmits power to the county seat through a 37-kilometer-long high-voltage transmission line.

The second tier of the Back Mountain Double Waterfalls cascades down from a forested height of 80 meters, like a wild horse breaking free or a dragon surging through the sea, roaring fiercely as it crashes into the valley and forms a stream. On one side of the waterfall, the cliffs are sheer and jagged, with rocks seemingly ready to fall; on the other side, ancient vines twist around, and thorny thickets abound. Hidden among the brambles is a karst cave. Inside the cave, there are countless stalactites—some hanging like inverted lotus flowers, some standing proudly like pines in the snow, as well as stone pillars, stalagmites, and stone screens, all with remarkably lifelike shapes. There are also many smaller caves within the main cave.

From the second tier of the waterfall, climb up 447 steps through dense tree shade. After reaching “Clear Pool,” continue along the channel of the Back Mountain Power Station, and you will arrive at “One-Day Gate.” Cross the steep “Sky Bridge,” and the first tier of the Back Mountain Double Waterfalls comes into view. The waterfall plunges down from a hundred-meter-high cliff, and midway, it is intercepted by a protruding rock, causing the water to strike the rock and send droplets flying like pearls and jade. In the sunlight, two rainbows appear—one on the left and one on the right—as if dancing in the air. The waterfall flows into “Moon-Seal Pool” with a thunderous roar. The pool is crystal clear, with small shrimp and fish occasionally swimming back and forth or resting among the crevices and grass. Scoop up a handful of the water—it’s icy cold, yet sweet as candy to drink.