Ningcheng Longtan Gorge

Ningcheng Longtan Gorge

Among the tourist attractions in Ningcheng, if you're looking for an adventure into the wild and mysterious, the best destination is Longtan Gorge.

Longtan Gorge is situated in the northern part of Longtan Village, west of Sancuidian Township. From Ershijiazi Village (on the Pingshuang Highway) in Sancuidian Township, head 20 kilometers west to reach the top of Longtan Ridge. From the ridge, you can see a high mountain valley snaking its way southward right beneath your feet. Looking into the distance, amidst the lush green mountains, a slender valley stretches faintly into the horizon, merging with the distant peaks. The area is covered in dense forests and deep mountain streams. Right where you stand is the source of Longtan — the spring is located on the mid-slope of the southern side of the ridge, at an altitude of 1,650 meters, making it the highest spring in Ningcheng County. About five or six li to the west from here lies the highest peak in Ningcheng County, Cuiyun Peak, which stands at 1,890.2 meters above sea level.

The water of Longtan comes from two sources. On either side of two nearby valleys, there is a spring, separated by the forested Heishantou (Black Mountain Head). The two springs flow southward and eastward respectively for about two li before converging into a “Y”-shaped stream that cascades down through the valley.

Longtan Gorge can be considered the number one canyon in Inner Mongolia. It’s not because it’s as grand as the Grand Canyon in the United States, nor is it as wide and flat as typical gorges. Rather, it is precisely because this gorge is the narrowest and most rugged. Its characteristics are: narrow valley, deep gorge, steep cliffs; the stream follows the valley’s shape, with long, thin flows of water layered upon layers, and a dramatic elevation drop, creating an extraordinary echo through the empty valley. In terms of narrowness, depth, danger, and uniqueness, no other canyon compares.

To truly explore the wild and experience adventure, you must follow the flow of the water downstream, not fearing the hardships, and immerse yourself in the endless joy of connecting with nature. There are no real paths along the canyon walls — in fact, there are barely any “banks” to speak of. Both sides are made up of steep, rugged mountains and sheer cliffs as if carved by knives and axes, impossible to climb. The canyon is extraordinarily narrow, with towering cliffs pressing in on both sides as if trying to squeeze you. The depth of the canyon is terrifying, filled with massive boulders that evoke a sense of dread. In the morning, sunlight can still reach the valley floor, but once the sun moves westward in the afternoon, the bottom of the canyon is cast into shadow, becoming dark by around 3 or 4 PM. What makes this canyon even more unique is that it begins at the top of a 1,700-meter-high mountain peak. As you descend through the gorge from the mountaintop, the elevation drop is extreme — always going downward, step by step, with the valley growing deeper and the walls narrower with every descent. Though you are walking within the canyon, you are in fact continually descending. Walking through the valley, “you look down to see cascading waters, look up to see soaring cliffs, as the creek tumbles over rocks, and the long gorge stretches ten li without a single flat spot.” If you encounter sudden heavy rain and a flash flood while in the valley, your only option is to go with the flow.

Descending along the gorge with the stream, you need to step carefully on the rocks, jumping forward, grabbing branches or holding onto large rocks to prevent slipping. The water keeps flowing, through gaps in the stones, sometimes slow and gentle, sometimes rushing violently, producing sounds ranging from “whooshing” to “roaring” depending on the drop, as melodious as nature’s own symphony or thunderous like a stampede. Larger drops form waterfalls, with even louder roars.

When you’re out of breath and drenched in sweat, take a moment to sit on a large rock, drink some fresh mountain spring water, and feel instantly refreshed and comfortable. Look up at the trees on both sides of the valley — lush and varied, with wildflowers covering the ground in vibrant colors. Here you can find the rare and precious golden lotus flower, not easily seen elsewhere. Hiking through this gorge, you can only feel its profound depth, mystery, and danger. But the more perilous it is, the more extraordinary it becomes, and the fewer people that visit, the more pristine and untouched the natural wonders remain.

Generally, climbing up a mountain is what we call “ascending,” but here, you are descending step by step — though more accurately, it should be called “climbing down.” The challenging descent through the deep valley presents a different view at every step. After descending roughly four or five li, you’ll reach Longtan Waterfall — the most spectacular and treacherous part of the gorge. Once you arrive, there is no path to follow except the stream itself. Peering downward, you’ll see a hundred-foot cliff below where the water plunges, falling in a thin thread-like stream. Just a glance can make your head spin. To your left is a towering cliff, to your right a steep, vertical mountainside. You can only climb up the right-hand slope, pulling yourself up with tree trunks in a tug-of-war-like manner, then shimmying along before grabbing branches and sliding back down to reach the water again. Looking back at the path you came: the stream cascades down over 20 meters from a cliff, forming the first waterfall — a wide curtain of water on the cliff face, like white silk draped over stone and fluttering in the wind, with water droplets flying and splashing. When the waterfall hits the base of the cliff, it’s blocked by another large slanted rock face, redirecting the flow into a narrow, fast-moving stream that plunges straight down another 30-plus meters, forming the second waterfall. It lands in a pool, but due to the steepness of the gorge, the pool isn’t very big, and the stream doesn’t linger before continuing its downward journey in a stepped cascade — contrary to legends that say the water is bottomless. Looking up from below, you see water dropping between 40–50 meters from the cliffs, forming these two-tiered waterfalls, like heavenly springs pouring down or a dragon descending the mountain, all amplified by the roaring sound of the water — truly majestic. Even more fascinating is the spot where the wide waterfall narrows into a thin stream: on the eastern wall, a massive, protruding rock mass covers the stream. This rock slopes from north to south, running parallel to the direction of the water. Beneath the rock is a recessed area forming a sloped cave about 10-plus meters long and three meters deep — this is likely where the Black Dragon resides. In the middle of the cave entrance, two round rocks stand upright like pillars, pinning the cave shut — these are the legendary “Dragon Locking Pillars.” Beyond Longtan Waterfall, as you continue downward, the valley remains flanked by dense forests and cliffs, with huge rocks pressing against the stream and the water moving ever faster, echoing through the empty valley. Several larger cascades form varying sizes of waterfalls. After descending another four or five li, the stream gradually emerges from the deep gorge. The surrounding mountainsides begin to soften, the valley widens slightly, and the banks show hints of vegetation and signs of grazing — though the slope of the gorge remains steep.

Longtan Gorge offers the beauty of a high mountain valley, as well as the thrilling sensations of darkness and danger. It’s a must-visit destination, but it does require ample physical strength and courage: “Climb the perilous gorge, don’t just gaze at the peaks — the peaks reveal but a thread of sky. Step by step, follow the water down the deep valley — the way back is harder than the way down.”