Jiahe Turtle Mountain

Jiahe Turtle Mountain

In Dapingling Village on the outskirts of Jiahe County lies a rocky hill covering an area of about

1500

square meters, resembling a giant turtle raising its head and looking around in the lake, hence the name "Turtle Mountain."

In ancient times, after the Flame Emperor Shennong, Nüwa went south to find the finest grains, settled in Bing Cave at the eastern foot of Jiulaofeng, and taught the people how to farm in Hecang Fort. From then on, people across the land learned to eat grains, ending the era of surviving on wild animals and fruits. Legend has it that Gonggong and Zhu Rong fought over Nüwa’s love beneath the pillar of heaven at Mount Buzhou. Gonggong lost and struck the mountain, causing the sky to collapse and the earth to sink. To repair the sky, Nüwa slew a divine turtle and used its four legs as pillars to support the earth, thus averting disaster. The turtle’s descendant, Guapi, sought revenge for his ancestor’s death by tracking down Shennong through Fujian and Guangdong into southern Hunan’s Chenzhou, eventually arriving at Hecang Fort. There, he settled by a lake west of Jiulaofeng, opposite Shennong. Since Guapi could not defeat Shennong in direct combat, he hid in the lake and plotted to sabotage Shennong’s efforts to teach farming. Under the cover of night, Guapi trampled Shennong’s seedlings and destroyed his fields, causing the first trial crops of fine grains to fail. When Shennong discovered the truth, instead of blaming Guapi, he moved all the snails from the stream in Bing Cave to the lake to feed him. Shennong reasoned with Guapi, urging him to consider the well-being of the people and let go of past grudges to help cultivate the grains together. Moved by this compassion, Guapi repented, forgave the past, and joined Shennong in teaching farming. From then on, grain harvests improved year after year. At that time, a group of uncivilized tribes on Lanling Mountain west of Jiulaofeng, envious of Shennong’s success in growing grains, frequently raided the fields and disrupted the villagers’ peace. Guapi then volunteered to guard the southwestern side of the mountain for Shennong, protecting the grains and the people from invasion. Using the lake as his base, Guapi defended against intruders year after year, through wind and rain, allowing the people to farm in peace. Gradually, China’s agricultural practices flourished. Over time, Guapi transformed into a rocky mountain, standing guard northwest of Jiulaofeng, blessing the region with health, safety, and thriving agriculture.

In March 2002, Turtle Mountain was designated as a key tourist attraction under the county government's protection.