Mount Langlang

Mount Langlang

Mount Langlang is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, a cultural tourism site, and a classic red tourism destination.

These are the natural mountains and rivers of Zhu De’s hometown.

Located in Yilong County, Sichuan Province, on the southern side of the Daba Mountains and along the middle reaches of the Jialing River, this area features undulating peaks, rolling hills, and ridges crisscrossed by valleys. Amidst these ranges stands a unique peak—Mount Langlang, renowned across the nation for its naturally-formed five-pointed shape.

This is a magical land, a vibrant tourist destination full of legendary stories. In 2003, construction began around Mount Langlang to build the Zhu De Memorial Park and “Zhu De’s Hometown – Mount Langlang Scenic Area.” It was rated as a national AAAA-level scenic spot in 2006, boasting a green coverage rate of 90.2% and an average annual temperature of 16.5°C, making it a natural ecological site perfect for sightseeing and leisure.

The beauty of Langlang’s landscapes nurtures wonders.

Majestic and towering, Mount Langlang is covered with lush pine and cypress trees, with a central peak rising sharply. Five smaller ridges extend in five directions. After the founding of New China, engineers found during surveying and mapping that the contour lines of the mountain formed a five-pointed star. Later, in the 1980s, geological aerial surveys and in the 1990s, aerial photography by China Central Television confirmed the earlier findings—the mountain resembles a massive, naturally-formed five-pointed star.

On December 1, 1886, Zhu De was born in Lijiawan at the southern foot of Mount Langlang. Later, Zhu De embarked on the revolutionary path and founded the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. By coincidence, the cap badge of the Red Army was a five-pointed star, which became the emblem of the people’s army. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Zhu De planted trees in the Taihang Mountain area of Shanxi together with other soldiers. Later, people discovered that the cross-sections of the poplar trees he planted at the Eighth Route Army headquarters in Wangjiayu featured regular five-pointed stars. After the establishment of the People’s Republic, the five-pointed star shone brightly on the national flag. Is the resemblance between this magical five-pointed mountain and the five-pointed star a mere coincidence, or is there some deeper connection? When Zhu De left his hometown and joined the military, could he have imagined such an unbreakable bond with the five-pointed star? Given the historical context and awareness at the time, it would have been impossible to discover or verify that the mountain where Zhu De was born had a five-pointed shape. Inexplicably, Zhu De shares an indescribable connection with the five-pointed star, the Chinese revolution, the Chinese People’s Army, and the People’s Republic of China.

Coincidentally, during the construction of the Zhu De Memorial Park, workers discovered a natural, uniquely-shaped rock while building the entrance plaza on the southern side of Mount Langlang. Resting there without moving, the stone’s bottom three-quarters curve like a sickle, while its upper part forms a T-shape resembling a hammer. The union of hammer and sickle—isn’t that the emblem of the Communist Party of China? This mysterious stone, formed without any human hand, why does it appear so precisely shaped and connected to the Party emblem? Many believe it to be a prophetic stone, foretelling the birthplace of a great leader. Fondly referred to as the “Hammer and Sickle Stone,” it is said, “The Party emblem springs from earth, destined to nurture greatness.”

To the east of Mount Langlang lies Guandao Mountain. Its summit features three peaks, traditionally associated in the Five Elements theory with metal, wood, and earth, and was once called “Three Star Fort.” Winding like a dragon, the mountain hosts an ancient cypress tree that resembles the Green Dragon Crescent Blade used by the Three Kingdoms general Guan Yu. Legend says Guan Yu once battled here, resting his blade atop the peaks, hence the name "Guandao Mountain." In 1976, the ancient cypress died—coinciding with the passing of the beloved Comrade Zhu De. To the south of Guandao Mountain lies Zhu De’s Former Residence.

To the left of Zhu De’s Former Residence, opposite Mount Langlang, lies Ma’an Mountain. Legend has it that on a clear, moonlit night, five celestial horses gathered and leaped wildly in Tianping Field near Guandao Mountain in Linglang Village, startling villagers who gathered to watch. They vividly described it as “five horses paying homage to the hall.” Later, the Zhu De Memorial Museum was built on this very spot.

North of the Zhu De Memorial Museum stands a tall ficus tree, said to be the same age as Zhu De. Originally an ordinary ficus, nothing set it apart from those elsewhere—until 1986. That year marked the centennial of Zhu De’s birth. One December day, a sixty-year-old man from Xiabamiao, Bazhong, trekked for a week to reach Ma’an, eventually finding this tree. For several days, he collected dew from its leaves to drink. When asked why, the man explained that he had suffered from an illness for years, with no cure in sight. One night, a white-bearded old man appeared in his dream, telling him about the ficus behind the museum on Ma’an Town—Zhu De’s hometown—and that drinking its dew would heal him. Feeling it was divine intervention, the man walked all the way to the tree, drank the dew for days, and soon recovered. As thanks, he hung a six-foot red cloth around the tree trunk. Word spread, and ever since, locals have treated it as a sacred tree, adorning it with red cloths and incense offerings to this day.

Between Zhu De’s Former Residence and the Memorial Museum lies a clear spring pool known as Dawan Pool, though locals more often call it “Tiger’s Roar Pool.” Legend says that Zhu De often swam here as a child. One afternoon, after returning from school, he went for another swim—just then, his uncle working in the fields spotted what looked like a tiger frolicking in the water. Alarmed, the uncle dropped his tools and searched for Zhu De, but when he couldn't find him, he called out his name to no reply. Eventually, they saw Zhu De still playing in the pool—but the tiger was nowhere in sight. When asked, Zhu De casually said he was just swimming and hadn’t seen any tiger. From then on, the pool was called “Tiger’s Roar Pool.”

To the west of Mount Langlang lies a peculiar mountain resembling the imperial court hat worn by Zhu De in the Qing Dynasty—a hill full of legendary charm. Though it may not rival the majesty of Mount Tai, the danger of Mount Hua, the beauty of Mount Emei, or the serenity of Mount Qingcheng, it is rounded and full, exuding the aura of an emperor presiding over court or a general leading troops to battle. When fog rolls in, it looks like an official procession moving elegantly through the mist. Locals call it “Official Hat Mountain” or “Sedan Roof Mountain.” It is said that aligning one’s home with this mountain ensures wealth and honor. In the late Qing Dynasty, a prosperous Hakka landlord of the Ding clan consulted a master geomancer and built an estate on the southern slope of the mountain—lavish and grand, renowned throughout northern Sichuan. The Ding family flourished until the Liberation, and their estate was known as the “Ding Family Manor.” After the 1911 Revolution, promoted to Brigadier General, Zhu De bought property on the northern slopes of what locals now call “Sedan Roof Mountain” for his parents, giving rise to tales of his future eminence, with the Zhu family as nobility and the Ding as wealth.

To the west of Sedan Roof Mountain lies the grave of Zhu De’s father, Zhu Shilin. When Zhu De bought the house for his parents, he also arranged for this burial ground. In October 1920, Zhu Shilin passed away in Chongqing on his way back from Luzhou. He was buried here that winter, facing the mountain. From the roof mount to Mount Langlang, Guandao Mountain, and Ma’an Mountain, the layout resembles a protective ring, aligning perfectly with feng shui principles—as if fate itself designed the location. It is said, “The tomb faces Ma’an, a mysteriously strategic site.” During the era when warlord Yang Sen served Chiang Kai-shek, attempts were made several times to dig up the Zhu family ancestral graves to “sever the dragon veins,” but every geomancer warned against it—the site was too auspicious, akin to unleashing a caged tiger. Thus, only Zhu Shilin’s tomb remained untouched. The pond in front of the tomb, expanded in 1958 under Zhu De’s influence, is now known as the “Leap Forward Reservoir.” Decades later, both a Taiwanese scholar and aerial footage by local media revealed its shape strikingly resembles a map of China. Now renamed “Gratitude Pool,” it preserves both cultural meaning and traditional virtue.

Born December 1, 1886, courtesy name Yujie. From Yilong, Sichuan. In 1909, he enrolled at the Yunnan Military Academy and joined the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) the same year. Participated in the 1911 Revolution. Held various ranks in Yunnan’s army including company commander, battalion commander, regimental commander, and brigade commander. Took part in the National Protection Movement and the Constitutional Protection Movement. Studied in Germany in 1922, joined the Communist Party of China that same year. Attended military studies in the Soviet Union in 1925 and returned the next year.

In 1927, Zhu De founded the Officers Training Corps of the Third Army of the National Revolutionary Army in Nanchang, led the August 1 Nanchang Uprising, and served as deputy commander of the Ninth Army. … More details on Zhu De ++