Longtou Mountain

Longtou Mountain

In the northern part of Anlong County, bordering Xingren, Zhenfeng, and other counties, lies a winding mountain range stretching over a hundred li. This is the renowned Longtou Mountain of southwestern Guizhou.

Longtou Mountain was formerly called Longna Mountain and is an important branch of the Miaoling Mountain Range. The mountain range gradually rises from east to west, towering into the clouds, serving as a natural barrier in the northern part of Anlong County. At the western end of the range, there are two peaks standing side by side. The eastern one is called Gonglong Mountain, the main peak of the entire range, with an elevation of 1,966.40 meters. When you look up, you can see its protruding beak and bulging eyes, resembling a dragon’s head, while its body stretches southeastward, gradually descending and disappearing into Zhenfeng County. The ridge is covered with dense, lush primeval forests, like layers of dark green dragon scales. The western peak is called Mugong Mountain, slightly lower in elevation at 1,930 meters. Its terrain appears more delicate and gentle, running parallel to Gonglong Mountain. The ridge here is covered with golden-yellow grass, shimmering like golden scales.

The male and female peaks resemble a green and a yellow dragon, poised as if ready to take flight. The local Buyi people regard them as deities and believe they were once a pair of lovers who transformed into these mountains. The clever, kind-hearted young couple, named Long Ge and Bai Mei, sought to escape in pursuit of marriage freedom and a happy union. However, their plan was discovered by the conservative village chief, who adhered strictly to feudal traditions. The couple was killed in a cave on the back mountain. Refusing to be separated even in death, Long Ge and Bai Mei transformed into Gonglong Mountain and Mugong Mountain, blessing the people of Longna. Since the Qing Dynasty, locals have worshipped at the cave behind Gonglong Mountain on the first Chen day of March each year, praying for favorable weather and commemorating Long Ge and Bai Mei. The annual mountain worship ceremony is a lively and vibrant event.

Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, Longtou Mountain has been listed as one of Guizhou’s famous mountains. Both the Qing-era *Guizhou General Gazetteer* and *Xingyi Prefecture Gazetteer* contain records of it. Ancient poets described its scenery with lines such as: “Long Mountain faces east, cradling a sea of peaks; travelers winding uphill find paths both ancient and profound. Its primeval beauty teems with pictorial charm, while cliffs embrace the heights in a wondrous sight.” Looking up from the foot of the mountain, one sees steep cliffs, rugged ridges, clouds and mist swirling around, all combining into a majestic and awe-inspiring view. The mountaintop is broad and flat. From here, one can faintly make out the counties of Anlong, Xingren, and Zhenfeng. Surrounding the area, the vast, undulating mountains surge like ocean waves or galloping horses—majestic and overwhelming. The crisscrossing fields, scattered villages, winding rivers, and mirror-like reservoirs and lakes are all visible, presenting a scene full of poetic beauty.

Longtou Mountain enjoys a warm and humid climate with abundant rainfall, providing ideal conditions for diverse life forms. Due to its dense and sprawling forests, one can easily lose their way if venturing deep inside. Hence, the *Xingyi Prefecture Gazetteer* contains this record: “It is said that fruits grown in the mountain cannot be taken away; those who do so will lose their way home.” This legend adds an air of mystery to Longtou Mountain.

Longtou Mountain boasts 16,500 mu of forested land and 150,000 mu of grassy hills and shrubland. It hosts over 366 species of plants across 96 families and 211 genera, including fast-growing timber species, rare ornamental plants, ancient relict species, medicinal plants, and tannin-producing plants. Most remarkably, on Gonglong Ridge at elevations between 1,600 and 1,930 meters, there grows a contiguous expanse of over 1,500 mu of original dwarf rhododendron forest. With a canopy closure exceeding 80%, the trees here stand approximately 6–8 meters tall, with trunks generally 10–15 cm in diameter—some reaching up to 30 cm—and most are over a century old. Their gnarled and twisted branches sprawl unevenly, densely covered in moss. Their leaves remain evergreen year-round, mostly growing at the branch tips in obovate shapes adorned with yellow scales, adding an elegant touch. Besides the common Rhododendron simsii (azalea), the forest also hosts 12 rare species such as Rhododendron delavayi, Rhododendron stamineum, Rhododendron liliiflorum, Rhododendron heliolepis, Rhododendron iris, and Rhododendron rhodostomum.

The rhododendrons of Longtou Mountain bloom all year round. From spring through winter, as one wave of blossoms fades, another emerges. The flowers are abundant, with each branch bearing over ten blooms—a marvel in itself. Even more remarkable is how the color of the same flower species subtly shifts in hue with the seasons, a phenomenon unique to Longtou Mountain's rhododendrons. During peak blooming seasons in spring and summer, Gonglong Ridge is ablaze with vibrant colors.

The slopes are a riot of reds, oranges, and purples, with blossoms clustered in resplendent profusion, dazzling the eye and enchanting the spirit. The reds blaze like horse-tail tassels, the yellows glow like silk fans, the silvers gleam like snow, and the lavenders shimmer like jade. Thousands of blossoms compete in beauty, displaying a breathtaking array of colors. During this season, mountain birds often perch among the flowers, singing sweet melodies, while colorful butterflies flit gracefully about, adding endless charm to the landscape. The mountain is also rich in animal life, with a wide variety of birds and beasts, including many rare species under national protection. In 1987, Longtou Mountain was designated as a nature reserve in southwestern Guizhou.

Longtou Mountain is dotted with numerous streams and springs. There’s a local saying: “Ninety-nine eighty-one pools.” Thread-like trickles seep from the mountain, gathering into crystal-clear pools. The waters are so transparent you can see to the bottom, icy cold to the touch, and sweet to drink. Ancient trees cast shade along the pool edges, with vines clinging to the surroundings. The water flows gently over rocks, producing a melodious sound like a zither being played. The *Guizhou General Gazetteer* states: “There is a stream in the heart of Longtou Mountain, with deep origins and long flow, irrigating thousands of acres of farmland”—referring to today’s Beixiang River, which is formed by the convergence of these mountain springs.

Longtou Mountain features majestic and peculiar terrain, with steep, upright peaks. Its expansive, dense forests and grassy slopes, especially the vast, contiguous rhododendron belts, rank among the finest in Guizhou Province in terms of both scale and density. The fact that these flowers bloom all year and change color with the seasons is a rare spectacle. In recent years, tens of thousands of mu of Masson pine have been aerially seeded on the mountain, growing vigorously. Once these forests mature, Longtou Mountain will become even more enchanting.