The Eighteen Turns of Changzhi

The Eighteen Turns of Changzhi

The Eighteen Turns of Changzhi is a national A-level tourist attraction.

is one of the main attractions of Wangmang Gorge, located east of Xiaotianqiao. Built along a cliff face over 300 meters high, it features more than 1,300 steps and a winding staircase with nine twists and eighteen turns—hence the name "Eighteen Turns." As you climb the steps, you’ll encounter many scenic spots along the way, such as the Hidden Image of Emperor Liu Xiu, with his facial features clearly visible; the Taoist Stele of the Supreme Old Lord, situated against the mountain, which in ancient times was a place where merchants came to offer incense; at the top of the turn, a breathtaking panorama unfolds, revealing the Sacred Altar nestled among lush pines and cypresses. Heading east and descending, you’ll reach the natural stone cave known as the "Hidden Cave," inside which statues of Guanyin and Liu Xiu are enshrined. Legend has it that Liu Xiu was pursued by Wang Mang all the way to this spot, where he took refuge in the cave and was protected by Guanyin, thus escaping disaster. Further down the cave, there is a cliffside hanging ladder about 50 meters high, forming a circular sightseeing route. Descending the Eighteen Turns, the river valley extends southward along the mountain base, where clear springs flow. Under the Thousand-Foot Cliff, the water never freezes, earning the area the name "Hot Water Bay." Not far from the bridge over Hot Water Bay, on the right side of the cliff hangs a cluster of stalactites known as "Wang Mang’s Heart and Liver." Legend says that when Liu Xiu hid in the Hidden Cave, Wang Mang continued his pursuit but accidentally fell off the cliff to his death, with his heart and liver hanging on the precipice.