Qingshan Scenic Area

Qingshan Scenic Area

Qingshan Scenic Area is located on the southeastern edge of the Greater Khingan Mountains, in the eastern part of Hexigten Banner, 25 kilometers from Jingpeng Town. It is 200 kilometers from Chifeng City and 580 kilometers from Beijing. The scenic area covers a total area of over 30 square kilometers, with the highest peak reaching 1,574 meters. The granite mountain formations, shaped by Quaternary glacial movements, have created a myriad of stunning geological wonders. The summit of Qingshan is flat and expansive, approximately 800 meters long and 400 meters wide, oval in shape, and sloping from north to south. The surrounding areas are higher, while the middle is lower, featuring a mix of grassland and bare rock. On the southern side of the mountaintop, about 1,000 square meters of exposed hard granite surface bears over a thousand "rock mortars," locally known as the "Nine Jars and Eighteen Pots." The Qingshan Rock Mortar Group is currently the largest, best-formed, most diverse, and most well-preserved group of "rock mortars" discovered in China and the world.

Regarding the formation of the Qingshan rock mortars, most experts believe they are the product of glacial activity, known as the glacial theory. The glacial theory posits that millions of years ago during the Quaternary Glacial Period, Qingshan was covered by thick layers of ice. Meltwater beneath ice sheets 1,000–2,000 meters thick generated water pressure of 300–400 atmospheres. This high-pressure meltwater possessed significant downward kinetic energy, carrying rocks and rapidly flowing and rotating to continuously impact the bedrock and form the mortars. The controversy lies in the fact that previously discovered rock mortars were mostly found in low-lying areas such as glacial valleys and beds, whereas those at Qingshan are situated on ridges and the mountaintop's granite surface, which is puzzling. If the glacial theory holds, it inevitably involves the long-debated issue in the geological community of whether Quaternary glaciers existed in eastern China—a question that impacts research on ancient environments, climates, landforms, humans, and life forms in China. Another theory is the wind erosion hypothesis, suggesting that between 1,800 and 10,000 years ago, an extremely powerful “Chifeng Wind Corridor” existed, and the depressions were formed by wind erosion. Although theories differ, all agree that the site holds significant scientific research and tourism value.

The Qingshan rock mortars are generally oval, circular, spoon-shaped, or irregularly semi-circular in plan view. Their shapes resemble mortars, jars, bowls, spoons, basins, plates, cups, or buckets. Most are wider at the mouth and narrower at the body, with flat bottoms and no inlet openings around the edges, except for drainage outlets at lower points. The sizes and depths of the rock mortars vary greatly. The largest, known as the “King of Rock Mortars,” is about 10 meters long, 5 meters wide, and 3 meters deep, with birch trees and shrubs growing inside. The smallest are only a dozen centimeters in size. The discovery of the rock mortar group holds important geological significance for studying the plateau ecological environment of northern China.

The entire Qingshan Mountain features undulating peaks, rising abruptly and stretching continuously, interlocking like jagged teeth and piercing the sky. It stands majestically like a massive natural barrier among the mountains. The mountain's body clearly shows soil and rock distinctions: the sunny slopes and valley sides are covered with exposed rocks, while the shady slopes are lush with green trees and blooming flowers. The front of the mountain is steep and majestic, exuding a strong masculine presence, while the back slopes and valleys are delicate and graceful, showcasing a more feminine beauty.

Qingshan has “Three Wonders”: divine rocks, peak forests, and rock mortars.

The divine rocks of Qingshan refer to the scenic area’s uniquely shaped stones, which are abundant and can be seen throughout the area. The main body of Qingshan is grand and imposing, resembling a deity from afar and a meditating Buddha up close, offering a tangible sense of natural charm and mystery. Most of these shaped rocks depict figures and animals, with famous examples including Eagle Rock, Snake Rock, Turtle Rock, Frog Rock, Heavenly Dog Rock, Twin Bears Rock, Dangerous Rock, and Old Couple Rock. Each is vividly lifelike, demonstrating the astonishing craftsmanship of nature. Hence, people call the stones here “immortal mountain divine rocks.”

The Qingshan Peak Forest. Amidst the lush greenery of Qingshan, you’ll see towering peaks that look like swords stabbing into the sky. The peak forest features clusters of abrupt summits, some rising thousands of feet straight up, others standing independently. Truly, a thousand peaks display their unique forms, each showcasing its own striking beauty. The Qingshan Peak Forest is awe-inspiring, praiseworthy, and astonishing.

The Qingshan Rock Mortars. On the granite surface of Qingshan’s main peak, there is a large group of rock mortars. Experts and scholars believe that the scale, variety, and excellent forms of the Qingshan rock mortars are rare both domestically and internationally, making them a “world wonder.”

A “unique spectacle under heaven.”

The sparse forest landscape of Qingshan is also quite distinctive. The birch and purple birch forests there are incredibly beautiful, along with mountain poplar, mountain apple, mountain walnut, linden, mountain pear, Mongolian oak (vegetable tree), and five-angled maple. In early summer, the bluegrass skies, pear blossoms like snow, and azaleas in red create a refreshing and enchanting scene that captivates visitors. By late autumn, the maple leaves turn crimson, the birches shine golden, the forests are painted in layers of color, and various wild fruit trees bear abundant fruit, creating a mesmerizing landscape.

Qingshan not only boasts majestic peak forests and divine rocks but also vast alpine meadows. These meadows, classified as high-mountain grasslands, host over 500 species of wild plants, including more than 200 medicinal plants. Each meadow is surrounded by peaks, with lush green grass and blooming flowers inside, adding a touch of elegance and softness to Qingshan.

In the valleys of Qingshan, numerous small streams flow gently with crystal-clear water. Though they lack the surging currents of rivers, they offer the delightful charm of babbling brooks, enhancing the mountain’s charm and beauty.

Qingshan is also home to a variety of wildlife. In the past, Qingshan was renowned for its rare animal, the argali sheep. Today, it hosts dozens of species, including deer, roe deer, badgers, rabbits, eagles, and snakes. Qingshan has a profound cultural heritage. Stone tools, pottery shards, and ancient stone temples discovered there reflect the lives of early inhabitants. Arrowheads and spears unearthed tell stories of ancient battles. Local myths and legends enrich Qingshan with a mysterious, profound, and timeless cultural essence.

Visitors who have been to Qingshan have praised it, saying: Qingshan—the mountain has a soul, the peaks have bones, the rocks have character, the stones have spirit, the water has emotion, and the trees have form. Qingshan not only possesses a fierce and bold spirit but also embraces a sentiment that accommodates all things. It embodies the rugged and unrestrained beauty, the vast and magnificent beauty, the deep and powerful beauty of northern mountains, as well as a delicate and graceful beauty. The 1,230-meter-long Inner Mongolia No. 1 high-mountain sightseeing cable car leads directly to the mountaintop, turning a natural barrier into an accessible path and providing great convenience for visitors.

Mountains have presence, stones have spirit, water has emotion, and trees have form. The Green Mountains not only boast a majestic and vigorous charm but also embody an all-embracing sentiment. They exhibit the rugged and unrestrained beauty of northern peaks, the vast and magnificent beauty, the profound and powerful beauty, as well as the delicate and graceful beauty. The first high-mountain sightseeing cableway in Inner Mongolia, stretching 1,230 meters in length, goes straight to the mountain peak, turning a natural barrier into an accessible path and offering great convenience for visitors.