Shen Mountain Tourist Area

Shen Mountain Tourist Area

The Shen Mountain Tourist Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Shen Mountain Tourist Area is located at the junction of Bayan-Ulan Sumu, Badarhu Town, and Arbanggele Town, 70 kilometers northwest of Yinder Town, 190 kilometers from Qiqihar City, and 110 kilometers from Ulanhot City. It is a key tourist destination in the Xing'an League. Shen Mountain is part of the foothills of the Greater Khingan Range and is an independent peak. With a relative height of 300–400 meters, its main peak stands at an elevation of 858.8 meters. It stretches from northeast to southwest, spanning 20 kilometers from north to south and 13 kilometers from east to west. The mountain is composed of earth and rock, predominantly granite.

Shen Mountain, known as Duoyun Wundur during the Yuan Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty (in ancient Mongolian, "Wundur" means mountain), was revered as Wulijichogtu Ola during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. In Tibetan, it is called Laxi Zharib, meaning the auspicious deity (or emperor). To avoid speaking its name directly, people refer to it as Bogdo Ola (meaning "Sacred Mountain" in Chinese).

As a symbol of Jalaid Banner, Shen Mountain is renowned for its towering and majestic presence. The mountain features unique landscapes such as peculiar peaks, strange rocks, peak clusters, peak forests, stone forests, stone walls, spherical weathered rocks, and potholes, all formed through intense natural fracturing, weathering, erosion, and water erosion. Its rare rock caves and potholes, whose origins remain a mystery, hold significant scientific research value. From a distance, Shen Mountain appears shrouded in misty clouds, resembling a soaring dragon. Up close, its rugged rocks and deep valleys are awe-inspiring. The lofty and precipitous mountain leaves visitors speechless. On rainy days, it is veiled in clouds and fog, concealing its true form. Even on clear days, a light mist surrounds it, giving it a mystical and ethereal aura. At the foot of Shen Mountain, one can hear the rustling of forests, the chirping of birds, and see visitors eagerly climbing the peculiar peaks and rocks. Truly, the rustling forests echo through the valley, birds circle their nests, the unique peaks and stones offer distinct views, and visitors find the journey worthwhile. Ascending Shen Mountain, one sees deep valleys and towering cliffs. Gazing into the distance, layers of undulating mountains stretch endlessly, like galloping horses, evoking awe for nature’s wonders and craftsmanship, filling one with a profound sense of its majesty.

The Shen Mountain area is characterized by high mountains, dense forests, and abundant water sources. Through artificial diversion and enhancement, a large amount of slope runoff and countless mountain springs converge to form a mirror-like alpine lake—Shen Mountain Reservoir. Surrounded by green mountains reflected in its waters, with sunlight and clouds dancing on its surface, it resembles a green sleeve adorned with a pearl, exuding remarkable clarity and beauty. A poem describes it: “Layer upon layer of emerald screens, like a maiden lying in her boudoir; her jade-like skin and icy flesh as pure as a mirror, embodying the grace and beauty of an era.”

Key Tourist Attractions of Shen Mountain:

(1) The Mysterious Immortal Cave: On the eastern mountainside of Shen Mountain lies a mysterious large cave that can accommodate over 200 people. The cave has moist air, ventilation, and sunlight, making it an ideal spot for visitors to shelter from wind and rain. Locals call it the Immortal Cave.

(2) Stone Elder Mountain: Located in the western part of the Shen Mountain range, it is the highest peak of Shen Mountain. At the summit of Stone Elder Mountain stands a massive rock over 60 meters tall, resembling a battle-hardened general commanding thousands of troops on a smoky battlefield.

(3) Shen Mountain Stone Lion: Among the numerous peculiar peaks and rocks on the southern mountainside of Shen Mountain, the lion-shaped stone stands out. Resembling a lion, it is 4 meters tall and 2.8 meters wide.

(4) Shen Mountain Naadam and Mountain Deity Worship: Every year on June 17th, local Mongolian farmers and herders spontaneously organize a grand traditional Naadam (festival) featuring wrestling, archery, and horse racing on the grassland in front of Stone Elder Peak. During the Naadam, a mountain deity worship ceremony with strong ethnic characteristics and unique religious customs is held at the main peak of Shen Mountain.

Yinder Town: Historical records indicate that during the early Qing Dynasty in the Shunzhi era, the Jalaid Banner prince, Selei, relocated his palace from near Baitexi Temple in Tailai County (now Tailai County, Heilongjiang Province, which was under Jalaid jurisdiction before land reclamation) to Yinder, where he resided for many years. After liberation, historical researchers found no remnants of the palace in Yinder; however, it is confirmed that a palace once existed there, suggesting that Yinder had few buildings at the time and most of its residents led a nomadic life, moving with the water and grass.

After the September 18th Incident, the puppet state of Manchukuo was established, abolishing the old yamen system, which was set up in Bayan Hala... More details about Yinder Town++