Shijia Yan

Shijia Yan

The scenery of Shijia Yan in Zhangjiajie is concentrated, earning it the reputation of "a railing from which you can view all the heavenly views." It’s said that other scenic areas on Tianzi Mountain pale in comparison to Shijia Yan — and there’s good reason for that. In addition to Shentang Bay, Dianjiangtai (General's Platform), Yubi Peak (Imperial Writing Brush Peak), Fairy Scattering Flowers, and He Long Park, there is also a series of landscapes such as Lion Watching the Hometown Pearl (a protruding green rock standing like a lion, with its mouth and teeth outlined in the crevices, the clustered grass on the rock forming its beard and hair, the lion’s body arched as if ready to leap through the air toward the “hometown pearl” on the opposite ridge).

Shijia Yan is located on the northeast side of the Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, 16 kilometers from the seat of the People's Government of Tianzi Mountain Town. It features the uniquely shaped peaks of the Shentang Bay Valley as its main attraction and is considered the prime sightseeing section of the scenic area. He Long Park, Tianzi Pavilion, Yubi Peak, Shentang Bay, and Fairy Offering Flowers are all within this sub-area. There are four routes to reach it: take the Tianzi Mountain Cable Car up the mountain from Zhai Gong Wan in Suoxi Valley Town, then drive 2 kilometers to the parking lot after exiting the station; drive 6 kilometers from Suoxi Valley Town to Lüyong Mountain Villa, then walk 6 kilometers along the Xihai Climbing Trail via Tongtian Gate; walk 4.5 kilometers along the Ten-Mile Gallery Trail via Wolong Ridge and Moon Ridge; or drive 16 kilometers from Sinan Yu, the seat of Tianzi Mountain Town Government.

He Long Park is located to the east of Shijia Yan. A bronze statue of Marshal He Long stands in the park. The park covers an area of about 3 hectares. The park’s name was inscribed by -Bang and -, and it also features inscriptions by -Bang, -, and Liao Hansheng. The head of the He Long bronze statue is remarkably lifelike, while the shoulders and below are sculpted to resemble rocky terrain, like the towering peaks of Wuling, standing firmly atop a stone platform. With a resolute posture, the figure stands tall and gazes into the distance, holding a pipe in hand, exuding a serene and dignified aura. A warhorse leans closely beside its master’s right side. The statue as a whole symbolizes Marshal He Long’s glorious military career and will exist forever alongside the breathtaking scenery of Wulingyuan. The inscription “He Long,” penned by calligrapher and seal engraver Qin Esheng, is carved into an inclined slate, resembling an open hardcover book. The park also has large patches of reeds planted, gifted by Honghu City in Hubei Province where He Long had established revolutionary bases earlier in his life. The park also serves as a national defense education base for Wulingyuan District, displaying light and heavy weapons, including fighter jets made in the former Soviet Union and the T-34 tank used by Stalin during World War II.

Yunqingyan Viewing Platform is located within He Long Park. Originally a roughly 100-square-meter stone platform, it was named after -Bang inscribed the words “Yunqingyan” (Cloudy Green Rock). The stone platform juts out like a tongue, square in shape, with a flat top and broad expanse. Its left and right sides drop into deep ravines, and a stone beam extends downward from the center. Pine and cypress trees grow wildly around, with vines hanging upside down. The valley floor is dotted with uniquely shaped peaks. Below the rock ledge are five natural viewing platforms, distributed in front and to the sides. These platforms are flat yet perilous, facing and crossing each other. To the left front of the central viewing platform rises a flat, isolated rock peak from the valley, its shape resembling something between a human and a bird — indescribable.

Yubi Peak is located 80 meters west of Tianzi Pavilion, in a deep valley. A row of six stone pillars, each about 100 meters tall, square and sharply cut, stand side by side reaching the sky, connected unevenly with slender tops and thicker bottoms, resembling writing brushes. Legend says they were the brushes used by King Xiang. The surrounding peaks encircle them like a ring, embracing one another, with open space to the front and sides, lush trees wrapped around them, and behind them, hundreds of peaks gradually fading into the mist. Only the cluster of Yubi Peaks stands at a relatively high position, with clear lines and edges, appearing even more strikingly steep and towering. Especially with their slender pillars, almost man-made, the seams as if torn, standing closely together, with a few proud pine trees among them, making the scene extraordinarily beautiful.

Exiting the main gate of He Long Park and walking east not far, you’ll see a three-tiered cluster of peaks directly ahead. One of the peaks, when viewed from the side, resembles a young girl holding a flower basket, facing east, with delicate features, well-defined lines, and a graceful figure. The green pines on the peak resemble ornaments in her hair. The entire formation is exquisitely lifelike and rich in charm.

Tianzi Pavilion is located on a terrace 200 meters east of He Long Park. The pavilion is 30 meters tall, a six-story, four-eave, traditional-style building. It has independent reinforced concrete column foundations, stone-carved railings, granite flooring, tung wood doors and windows, and golden glazed tile roofing. Inside, there is a tea lounge, shops, a dance hall, a calligraphy and painting exhibition hall, and a folk entertainment hall. Climbing to the top offers a view with three sides overlooking deep valleys and panoramic sights of distant and nearby peaks and mountain ranges.

Baofeng Lake

Dragon King Cave

Wulingyuan

Suoxi Valley

Laowuchang

Hundred-Zhang Gorge