Dragon Horn Mountain

Dragon Horn Mountain

Dragon Horn Mountain is located northwest of Zhoukou Town in Peng’an County, on the eastern bank of the Jialing River. It boasts a long history and is a renowned mountain in northern Sichuan. Its towering, steep peaks rise straight into the clouds, resembling a coiled dragon drinking from the river, standing firmly along the riverbank. The southeastern foothills of the mountain once housed a series of historic cultural structures, including Dongxian Temple, Lianxi Shrine, Wanshou Palace, and Huajiang Tower. There are also stone slogans left by the Red Army in 1933, an ancient temple named Dragon Horn Mountain Temple at the mountaintop, and a large yellow-leafed ficus tree planted by the Red Army themselves — known as the “Red Army Tree.”

The terrain around Dragon Horn Mountain is quite unique. To the west, the waters of the Jialing River flow gently from the northwest, pass alongside the mountainside, encircle the ancient town of Pengzhou, and then meander southwest, dividing the riverbanks into eastern and western sections. The southern bank forms the shape of a “fish” (the yin fish), while several miles of flat sandy beach on the northern bank form another “fish” shape (the yang fish). The interplay of these yin and yang fish shapes creates a massive and classic Taiji pattern. A Qing Dynasty poet, Zhou Ming, praised the majestic presence of Dragon Horn Mountain in an acclaimed verse: “Soaring with cloud-snatching grandeur, its might spans wide; the moon at night shines like a pearl beneath its crest. Poets need not climb to the summit — to chant wildly might startle the sleeping dragon.”

To fully utilize the abundant natural resources of Dragon Horn Mountain and meet people’s material and cultural needs, starting in 1988, successive Peng’an County Party Committees and county governments began planning the development of Dragon Horn Mountain Park. By 1998, park construction commenced with a planned area of 700 mu (approximately 47 hectares) and an investment of 50 million yuan. The park was built into a high-quality recreational destination that integrates a bustling cultural and entertainment hub, sites rich in scenic and historical significance, seasonal floral gardens in full bloom, vast orchards of Jinhuang Jing 100 citrus fruit, and lush, wooded areas. The completed park is divided into a dynamic cultural and entertainment area and a tranquil leisure resort area. The activity zone features a South Gate, inner plaza, museum, open-air dance floor, swimming pool, children's play area, restaurant, teahouse, gym, and entertainment center — all fully equipped.

The “Leisure Zone” condenses the Eight Scenic Spots of Ancient Pengzhou, such as Moonlit Qin Terrace, into the New Eight Scenic Spots of Dragon Horn. It also revives eight major landscapes that embody legendary tales of historical figures: “Mother’s Nostalgic Hometown,” “Tao Xuan’s Retreat,” “Zhouzi’s Lecture Site,” and “Laizu Mountain Temple.” Additionally, there’s the “Mountain-River Valley” resort, which overlooks the great river and provides comprehensive facilities. The park’s attractions are adorned with over 30 types of trees including small-leaved banyan, magnolia, red-leaf peach, nanmu, cedar, and weeping willow, as well as more than 20 varieties of flowers such as rose, hibiscus, peony, plum blossom, red lotus, and crabapple. The area features both dense forests and emerald lawns. As you stroll through the park’s deep woods, tread upon open meadows, or ascend towering pavilions to gaze down at the rushing waters of the Jialing River, the pristine beauty of nature will soothe your spirit, enchant your senses, and make you feel as though you’re wandering through a heavenly paradise on Earth.