Huigan Liangzi

Huigan Liangzi

Huigan Liangzi is situated on the western edge of the Wuling Mountain Range, along the eastern fringe of Qianjiang District in Chongqing. With karst landforms and well-developed karst features, the area features gently undulating ridgelines interspersed with steep rocky cliffs, thousands of rugged peaks, and crisscrossing gullies. Its northern end lies just 16 kilometers from downtown Qianjiang and 33 kilometers from Xianfeng County, while its southern tip is 36 kilometers directly from Youyang County. Covering an exceptionally vast area, Huigan Liangzi is truly a marvel within Qianjiang. From afar, Huigan Liang appears intricate and hazy, with layers of verdant peaks resembling an unsolved mystery. For years, due to its isolated location and lack of human presence, it has been called “a maiden hidden away in her boudoir.” It is regarded as a mysterious journey by travelers near and far.

The beauty of Huigan Liangzi lies in its wonder, serenity, elegance, and peril.

The Wonder of Huigan Liangzi

Summit of the Mountains. Huigan Liangzi has seven major high points, among which the main peak, Da Huigan Liang, stands at an elevation of 1,938.5 meters, followed by Shijia Gou Ding at 1,885.1 meters, Pi Feng Ba at 1,878.2 meters, Sichuan Yakou at 1,865.6 meters, Xiao Huigan at 1,895 meters, Huangbai Ya at 1,820.5 meters, and Qihao Ling at 1,540 meters. The first six peaks offer panoramic views of the mountain ranges across Qianjiang, Xianfeng, and Youyang districts. Due to their height, Qianjiang TV Station even built a television transmission tower there.

Beauty Displaying Her Shyness. The Huigan Liang primitive ecological zone is a narrow, north-south oriented belt, higher in the north and lower in the south, stretching from Shazichang in the north to Xisha River in Youyang in the south—a place long sought after by adventurers. The direct distance from end to end is 33 kilometers, with an average width of about 6 kilometers and a maximum width of 9 kilometers. The ridge line resembles a reclining maiden. Viewed from an airplane: her hair flows at Shazichang, her forehead bulges at Pi Feng Ba, her eyes rest at Sichuan Yakou, her nose dots Da Huigan, her lips part at Xiao Huigan, her chin hints at Huangbai Ya, her neck tucks at Shang Heidong, her chest rises at Qihao Ling, and her hips sink into Xisha River. Like a reclining beauty, she stirs endless reverie.

One Ridge, Three Vistas. The Huigan Liang primitive ecological zone can be divided into three elevation levels: the Xisha River riverside platform at around 500 meters, the Qihao Ling plateau platform at approximately 1,400 meters, and the high mountain ridges above 1,800 meters. The vertical elevation difference is about 1,300 meters, with compact transitions between platforms—abrupt ascents and descents in quick succession. The ecological zones from high to low are forest, pasture, and water areas. Ascending from the Xisha River, which administratively belongs to Youyang, you’ll encounter what is known as “Three Vistas Slope,” referring to elevation-distributed areas such as “Er Tai Ping” and “San Wang Po.” Each terrace marks a level.

Playful Climate. Huigan Liangzi exhibits distinct vertical climate characteristics, with abundant rainfall. In the high mountain areas, summer outdoor temperatures reach a maximum of around 29°C, and indoor highs are about 20°C, while winter outdoor lows drop to approximately -16°C, and indoor lows are around -3°C. The annual average temperature is about 11°C. Compared to the riverside areas, the vertical temperature difference reaches around 10°C. As the terrain drops sharply, temperatures rise abruptly—when residents of Mala Town below Huigan Liang are still basking in the heat with their shirts off, visitors staying at the hotel at 1,834 meters altitude cannot linger outdoors for long, as the chilly wind makes even summer days feel cold.

Site Convergence. Qihao Ling is not only a uniquely shaped plateau grassland but also a cluster of ancient sites. Dynasties of Tusi (local chieftains) once fought here for territory and power. Ancient sites that have been preserved include Qihao Ling, Shengqi Village (formerly Shengqi Fort), Chaqi Dam, Anle Ping, Dongjia Wan, and Gongjia Wu Chang, all bearing distinct historical imprints. Corresponding to these are ancient trading posts, dried-up ancient lakes, ancient ferry crossings, as well as relics of silver, copper, lead, and zinc smelting. Among them, the smelting cave site at the foot of Wufeng Mountain remains a mystery as to why and when it was sealed, and how it has remained closed to this day. A local folk rhyme goes: “Mine to Jiayu Spring, buy fields across the land,” indicating that this area has long been rich in mineral resources. Mining has resumed here, and it’s said that reserves are particularly abundant.

The Serenity of Huigan Liangzi

Huigan Liang is an extremely pristine botanical treasure trove, home to hundreds of tree species, including over 20 types of precious trees under national first and second-level protection. Plant distribution shows clear regional and large-scale characteristics. These plants grow and perish naturally in this completely isolated environment, generation after generation, standing out vividly.

The Elegance of Huigan Liangzi

Hundred Streams and Thousand Waterfalls. Once you arrive at Huigan Liang, you’ll realize the ancient saying “lofty mountains and long waters” holds absolutely true. Thanks to Huigan Liangzi’s lush vegetation and the forest’s strong water retention and self-regulation capabilities, streams flow continuously throughout the woodland, taking on diverse forms and visible everywhere—you could say “a hundred small streams” is no exaggeration. Coupled with the varied terrain, numerous large and small waterfalls are formed.

Hills on the Ridge. The Qihao Ling platform in the southern section of Huigan Liangzi is a plateau with shallow hills, spanning villages such as Gaolu, Bailong, and Xisha Kou in Youyang, covering an area of nearly 40 square kilometers, with Gaolu Village alone spanning 28 square kilometers. On this plateau platform with an average elevation of around 1,400 meters, there are nearly 200 low hills no taller than several dozen meters. They coexist harmoniously with the grasslands, and these scattered little hills are perfect spots for grazing and eco-tourism.

The Peril of Huigan Liangzi

Six Great Maze Basins. Along the ridge in the northern, central, and central-southern sections of Huigan Liang, there are approximately six primeval forest ecological mazes, each covering about 5 square kilometers, with the largest spanning 7 to 8 square kilometers. The mazes feature not only complex terrain and dense clusters of small hills but also thick forests—once inside, it’s easy to lose your sense of direction, and even forestry guides dare not venture in. A typical example is Pi Feng Ding in the north, commonly known as the “24 Pig Bellies,” which contains 24 similar-shaped small hills—once you go in, it’s not easy to get out. The mid-southern maze is called Luan Bao, with around 72 hills; over twenty years ago, an engineer from the county forestry bureau went missing there. In the central area, Huigan, there are also dozens of similar small hills. Without companions, venturing in is extremely dangerous.

The vastness of the Huigan Liang primitive forest is well deserved—spanning hundreds of square miles with few human traces. In 1964, engineer Pu Chunhua from the former Qianjiang County Forestry Bureau got lost during a survey in the central-southern section of the forest. He wandered around the area known as Luan Bao for three days and nights. Despite numerous search efforts by people from Qianjiang entering the forest, he wasn’t found until the fourth day, when he emerged alone from Daban Ying in Youyang County. Similar incidents have occurred more than once—among them were herb gatherers and mushroom pickers, as well as curiosity seekers. This has led to regulations stating that no one may enter the forest without a group, essential tools like a compass, or a guide.

Here, nothing is artificial—all is natural, mysterious, and unpredictable. Majesty, wonder, peril, elegance, and serenity are all present. Being here, you’re sure to marvel at the wonders of creation, let your imagination roam free among the world’s beauties, and let leisure and joy flow freely in this primitive and rustic setting. If I were to sum it up in one sentence: it is a mysterious land; it is a paradise of freedom. As more tourists come, we believe the veil covering this untouched beauty will gradually lift. We can imagine that Huigan Liang, with its mystery and splendor, will attract those who “know only of its mystique but not its reason, know only its appearance but not its spirit” to explore and study.