Jiaqiangou

Jiaqiangou

Jiaqiangou Natural Scenic Area is located in Dongkeluoshu Village, Chengde City, and is a first-class natural scenic area approved by the State Council. Due to millions of years of geological changes, nature’s masterful craftsmanship has created three majestic and mysterious parallel stone walls, hence the name “Jiaqiangou.”

There are three stone wall mountains in Jiaqiangou. The first stone wall mountain is 566.69 meters long, 106.5 meters high, up to 6 meters thick, and less than 1 meter thin at its narrowest. On the stone wall are four natural stone windows. Though small, they allow views of the blue sky through the mountain—such as a triangular skylight the size of a bowl when viewed from afar—a sight extremely rare in China and considered a marvel of nature.

The second stone wall mountain is 300 meters long and 80 meters high, featuring two large karst caves with springs that flow year-round. At the halfway point of the main peak lies the 38-meter-long and 20-meter-high Spirit Turtle Cave. Above the cave entrance, the image of the dripping-water Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) is remarkably lifelike, sparking endless imagination.

The third stone wall is smaller in volume, but the echo between the two caves is incredibly loud. The two stone walls seem to be closing in and about to collapse, which can be dizzying. It is said that climbing to the top of Jiaqiangou offers views of Chengde’s eight famous mountains.

The first stone wall mountain in the scenic area is the most spectacular, standing like a natural barrier before you. In midsummer, the front of the mountain basks in bright sunlight while the back remains cool as autumn. Walking among the dense locust tree forests truly makes for a summer retreat. When viewed from the side, the mountain transforms into a towering pillar reaching the sky.

Jiaqiangou also features numerous unique rocks and peculiar caves, such as the “Guanyin Holy Water Cave,” “Dripping Water Love Cave,” “Stone Bed,” “Tortoise Back Stone,” “God of Wealth Cave,” and “Peace Cave.” Opposite them are the “Goddess Peak” and “Old Palace Hat,” accompanied by a series of fascinating legends. It is said that the Dajishan Peak on the northern side of Jiaqiangou Mountain was where Marshal Wang Junkuo once reviewed his troops. The legendary battle between Hua Mulan and the Red Hill warriors took place here, which is why the stone bed along the descent path is also called the “Mulan Bed.”

Even more astonishing is that if you walk into the back of the first stone wall mountain and climb up via the Hundred Steps Cloud Ladder to reach the 700-meter-high mountaintop, then follow a narrow mountain path back downhill, halfway down you’ll suddenly find no path—the drop-off leads to a mountain ravine. But on your left, adjacent to the cliff, there is a half-meter-high cave that lets in sunlight. It turns out to be the Peace Cave. Crawling through it leads to the other side of the mountain—that is, the way down.

The entire scenic area is exceptionally natural, with almost no man-made structures, nestled right next to pastoral landscapes. Surrounded by rugged mountains and valleys with wisps of cooking smoke, it feels like a hidden paradise despite being close to the city—an absolute must-visit.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: East side of Dongkeluoshu Village, Shuangqiao District, Chengde City, Hebei Province

Transit Options: Take bus No. 21 within Chengde City, then walk about 1.5 kilometers to reach the area; alternatively, take bus No. 1 to Hongshiluan, then take a taxi for about 4 kilometers to get there.