Maojingba Natural Scenic Area

Maojingba Natural Scenic Area

Maojingba Natural Scenic Area is located in Wangyedian Town, a frontier town of Chifeng City. Originally named Wangye Dian (the Lord’s Store), it was a post station used by nobility during the Qing Dynasty when traveling to or from Beijing. Later, during the Cultural Revolution, it was renamed Wangyedian. This place boasts beautiful mountains and rivers, picturesque scenery, and has nurtured a hardworking and kind-hearted local community. As you enter Maojingba, besides admiring its stunning views, you will also be enchanted by the charming landscapes of Yuniu Peak, Jiucailou, Longzhaozi Gully, Seed Garden, General’s Cave, and Beauty Elm.

Maojingba: Maojingba (formerly known as Mòqìn Cháhǎn Tuóluóhǎi Mountain) is situated at the junction of two provinces (Inner Mongolia and Hebei) and four banners/counties (Kalaqin Banner, Ningcheng County, Longhua County, and Weichang County). It serves as a strategic passageway from the Chifeng region to Chengde and Beijing. Historically, this ancient, treacherous route held significant importance in terms of economy, transportation, and military affairs. The Maojingba Pass features a saddle-shaped landform, where hard granite forms towering peaks, while the relatively softer gneiss is more easily eroded, creating natural passes. The elevation here ranges between

1,300

and 1,700 meters. The natural landscape in this area exhibits distinct transitional characteristics between the Northeast and North China regions toward the Inner Mongolia Plateau. Geographically, it lies within the semi-humid to semi-arid forest-steppe transition zone. It is also the watershed between the Liaohe and Luanhe river systems. Maojingba boasts beautiful scenery, with well-maintained artificial coniferous forests at the base of the dam, and mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests dominating the mountain slopes. Especially in late autumn, the vibrant red leaves scattered among various shades of green and yellow trees create a richly colored, breathtaking tapestry that captivates visitors.

Yuniu Peak: Yuniu Peak is the largest open-air viewing platform in Maojingba Natural Scenic Area, surrounded by natural secondary forests. The summit area spans nearly 100 hectares with gently sloping terrain, forming alpine meadows. Its highest point reaches an elevation of

1,850 meters.

Standing here and looking out, you’ll be greeted by a magnificent panorama of surrounding rugged peaks and splendid scenery. Not only is Yuniu Peak the best observation spot, but it is also one of the most scenic sites in the area. Yuniu Peak sits gracefully atop the distant mountains, its cool-toned surface resembling bronze. From afar, it stands tall and elegant, exuding the charm of a delicate maiden and stirring the heart. As you descend the slope and pick the beautiful corn poppy flowers underfoot, a glance back reveals the peak’s subtle blend of elegance and grace.

Jiucailou: Originally known as Chahan Tuolahai Mountain, Jiucailou is one of the most unique sections of Maojingba Natural Scenic Area. It is a cradle of poetry. Passing through a birch forest resembling slender bamboo, while nibbling on foraged hazelnuts, wild roses, mountain ash, or crabapples, you can savor the taste of pure, natural green food as you meander along. Jiucailou is one of the tallest peaks in Kalaqin, dominated by a rich green hue—lush and vibrant, much like spring or early summer leeks. This is, of course, thanks to the area’s pristine ecology. Green grass, wildflowers, and forests dominate the landscape. Of course, just trees, grass, and flowers might feel a bit monotonous and cold. But Jiucailou, like a spirit, ensures you don’t feel that way. As you approach the main peak, you’ll encounter a series of scenic spots including Chair Rock, Elephant Trunk Hill, Lovers’ Stone, Mandarin Duck Cave, and Sky Bridge—all vividly lifelike. The main peak itself is flat and expansive, as if one could pluck stars from the sky with their hands. Atop this “lofty building,” the poetic and idyllic leek fields resemble a peaceful rural hamlet—truly a fitting name. Remarkably, there is even a clear spring at the mountaintop. The spring water flows like silk, winding its way down the mountain, shimmering with the lustrous sheen of a carp, bringing immense joy. Truly, the mountain is the framework of the water, and the water weaves through the mountain—mountain and water, intertwined, have created countless breathtaking landscapes.

Longzhaozi Gully: Named for its resemblance to a dragon’s claw, Longzhaozi Gully is densely forested with towering ancient trees stretching as far as the eye can see, lush and verdant. In spring and summer, the hills are covered in colorful wildflowers; in autumn, maple leaves blaze red across the forest; and in winter, the area is blanketed in pristine white, extraordinarily enchanting.

Sino-Japanese Friendship Forest: At the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka gifted 1,000 Japanese larch saplings to Premier Zhou Enlai. The Ministry of Forestry entrusted 500 of them to the Wangyedian Forest Farm in Kalaqin Banner for cultivation. These trees have since matured, forming a rare seed garden of Japanese larch.

General’s Cave: Niulang Peak Area: This is an archaeological site with overlapping cultural layers. The area features emerald-green mountains, beautiful waters, majestic peaks, diverse sceneries, murmuring streams, and tinkling springs—softening the once fierce battles and distant war drums. Many ancient relics have been unearthed here, including bronze mirrors from the Liao and Jin dynasties, copper coins from the Song, Tang, and even Han dynasties, as well as bronze chess pieces, jade weights, iron shackles, and over a hundred types of arrowheads.

Dripping Water Pot: Dripping Water Pot is a narrow valley, no wider than

30 meters.

The upper part, known as Aobao Liang, sits at an elevation of

1,570 meters.

The valley has steep, precipitous slopes on both sides, making for a uniquely rugged landscape. Amid these steep slopes grow dense natural secondary forests. Water flows down the Dripping Water Pot stream in twists and turns. “The mountain becomes wondrous because of the water, and the water shines brighter because of the mountain.” The entire scenic area is renowned for its tranquility.

Shiquan Gully Ancient Battlefield: Shiquan Gully Ancient Battlefield is located within Maojingba Natural Scenic Area, in Fuhéyuán Village, Wangyedian Town, Kalaqin Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, approximately

one kilometer

east of the village. The area features sparkling waters such as Shuiquan (Water Spring), Yinmaquan (Horse Drinking Spring), and Dripping Water Lake, alongside picturesque mountain and water views. It also houses ancient cultural sites hidden in the deep mountains, including old plank roads, a general’s platform, and General’s Cave, all holding tourism and archaeological value.

In 1973, villagers found a Jin Dynasty bronze seal here, inscribed with “Chenghu Zhi Yin, Zhenyou Nian Zao” (Seal of Chenghu, Made in the Zhenyou Year). This marked the initial discovery of the Shiquan Gully Ancient Battlefield. Excavations from 1991 to 1993 unearthed over 10,000 various copper coins, more than 40 ancient bronze mirrors, a range of weapons including blades, spears, and arrows, as well as farming and daily tools like plows, saddles, iron chains, flat pots, hanging pots, scissors, thimbles, porcelain, and bronze chess sets. The unearthed relics encompass nearly all production and daily life tools from China’s feudal-era military and civilian life. These artifacts suggest that a Jin army unit or Jin nobility sought refuge in Shiquan Gully during the fall of the Jin Dynasty, setting up camp, digging caves, building walls, and surviving thanks to the area’s strategic terrain and inexhaustible mountain springs. Judging by the shattered relics, it appears a battle once took place here.

Artifacts excavated over the years, verified by local experts, date as far back as the Stone Age, with cultural remains from the Warring States, Tang, Song, Liao, Jin, Yuan, and Ming dynasties all layered together—most notably featuring Jin Dynasty culture.

Legend says that on this ancient battlefield, the Jin people planted their flag atop the peak of Shiquan Gully. Though the flagpole has rotted away, the iron spear at its top remains, rust-stained. They built ancient city walls, pitched tents, carved caves, and dug wells. From the summit at an elevation of

1,400 meters,

one can gaze across vast distances—a place where a single defender could hold off a thousand attackers.

About 400 steps west along the ancient plank road lies a semi-elliptical general’s platform carved from rock. Legend has it that a bronze command token was once excavated from this stone platform. Above the platform lies a large, square-shaped boulder known as General’s Stone. Ascending from General’s Stone leads to Guanyin Cave; past Guanyin Cave, a small path takes you to the Mysterious Cave, which is

six meters

deep and

five meters

, width

two meters

, hidden beneath the cliff in the forest, it is very difficult to find, hence the cave is mysterious and has many magical legends that remain unexplained.

Coming out of the Mysterious Cave, crossing perilous cliffs and passing through woods, we arrived at Peach Stone Peak, where General’s Cave is located. This cave is

60 meters

from the summit,

16 meters

deep,

14 meters

wide, and

4 to 2.5 meters

high, varying in height. It is an artificially excavated cave with a history of over 2,000 years. Inside the cave there is a stone well,

one meter

in diameter,

three meters

deep, with

six centimeters

of water depth, which complements the stone cave perfectly — a truly rare sight. Next to the cave there is an ancient plank road resembling a ladder to the sky, leading to the back of the mountain peak, likely a retreat route left by ancient generals.

Originally preserved cultural relics have gradually been unearthed and scattered over the years. Only a few collapsed sections of the ancient city wall silently testify to that ancient, tragic, and true story for future generations.

Due to its precipitous terrain, unique natural landscape, and mysterious ancient cultural aura, many legends about treasures and cultural relics have emerged among the people, coupled with medicinal-seeking activities in the 1970s and 80s. This has given it great fame within a radius of hundreds of miles.

In recent years, the Harqin Banner Tourism Bureau has carried out extensive work in the development and protection of the Shiquan Valley Ancient Battlefield. The Shiquan Valley Ancient Battlefield will attract visitors from all directions with its unique charm.