Golden Rooster Ridge

Golden Rooster Ridge

Golden Rooster Ridge is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Golden Rooster Ridge is located in Pingshi Town, known as the “First Town of Lingnan” and the northern gateway of Guangdong. It lies 103 kilometers from Shaoguan City and falls under the jurisdiction of Lechang City. The ridge gets its name from a massive rock on the northwest peak that resembles a rooster, with its head raised northward as if ready to crow. It is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Guangdong. Sharing the same danxia landform as Fujian’s Wuyi Mountain and Renhua’s Danxia Mountain, Golden Rooster Ridge stands at an elevation of 338 meters with a relative height of 168 meters. Its cliffs, sheer as if cut by knives, create a majestic and precipitous landscape. The ridge can be accessed via mountain paths on the east, west, and north sides, with the northern route being the steepest, while the eastern and western routes feature crevices in the cliffs. Its strategic location has made it a contested military site throughout history. Visitors often describe Golden Rooster Ridge as having the peril of Huashan, the wonder of Huangshan, the elegance of Emei, and the serenity of Qingcheng. Like a miniature landscape, it embodies the characteristics of many famous mountains and is truly a scenic gem of Lingnan.

Ascending the stone steps from the entrance gate of Golden Rooster Ridge on Pingshi Town’s central street, you’ll come face to face with the towering, steeply inclined One-Line Peak. This dramatic cliff stretches over 350 meters in length and is 3–6 meters wide, resembling a colossal barrier. Viewed head-on, it looks like a wall; from the side, a peak; and from below, a dragon. At the summit of One-Line Peak, you can see the meandering Wu River, flowing from Hunan into Guangdong. From this vantage point, the vast landscapes of both Hunan and Guangdong unfold before your eyes—distant mountains, nearby rivers, and the entire townscape are within view. To the right of One-Line Peak are the Sea Snail Peak and the Peacock Peak, both exquisitely shaped and vividly lifelike. Midway up One-Line Peak stands the graceful “Shengqing Pavilion,” an ideal spot for watching the sunrise. The pavilion also has a legendary connection to Hong Xuanjiao, the sister of Taiping Rebellion leader Hong Xiuquan, who resisted Qing forces. The ridge is dotted with legends and relics related to her. On the Pointing Generals’ Platform stands a grand statue of Hong Xuanjiao, clad in armor, gripping her sword valiantly as she gazes toward the training grounds. When female Taiping soldiers were stationed here, they often trained in this area. The cave where they stored their weapons, known as the “Other Cave,” is remarkable for its layered structure—mountains within mountains, caves within caves. Originally used to store arms, it now houses an 86-meter-long series of 16 sculptural groups depicting Hong Xuanjiao’s resistance against the Qing, complete with intricate relief carvings and vividly portrayed figures. About a hundred steps from the Weapon Cave lies the “Scenic Viewing Pavilion.” From here, the view suddenly opens up, and at dawn, one can admire the enchanting sight of “fairy mountains lining up to welcome guests” and the glorious moment when “Danxia Rock greets the rising sun.” The scenery changes with the seasons and even varies between morning and evening. Behind the mountain lodge, nestled in the valley, is the Xuanjiao Pavilion, tucked away in deep shade, making it a hidden and hard-to-find spot. Legend says Hong Xuanjiao plotted military strategies here. The poet Li Rulun visited and named it “Pavilion Where the Lady General Discusses Strategy,” composing a poem: “Steep cliffs flutter with battle flags, / The lady general tries her blade. / Valley winds carry songs unabated— / Xuanjiao stands as pride of our land.”　

On the cliffs, there is a large-scale cliff carving titled “The Soul of China,” which depicts Chinese myths such as “Pangu Creating the World,” “Nüwa Mending the Sky,” and “Houyi Shooting the Suns to Rid the Beasts.” This impressive 14-meter-high, 20-meter-wide relief sculpture portrays the spirit of Chinese mythology. Below the Hundred-Step Heavenly Stairs lies a secluded, narrow valley. Legend says this was where the golden rooster’s mate chose to lay its eggs—hence the name Egg Valley. The mother hen would lead her hatched chicks to settle and multiply elsewhere. Some say the “Eagle Pouncing on a Flock of Chickens” scene at Lechang’s Ancient Buddha Rock was created by their descendants. At the top of the spiral staircase is the “Chaoyang Pavilion.” Why is it called Chaoyang Pavilion? Because no matter whether the sun rises in the east or sets in the west, sunlight always shines upon this pavilion.

Pingshi Town: Located in the northernmost part of Guangdong Province and adjacent to Yizhang County in Hunan, Pingshi Town is a tourist town and also the economic, cultural, and financial hub of northern Lechang City. Historically, it was honored as one of Guangdong’s Eight Major Towns and is known as the “Northern Gateway of Guangdong” and the “First Town of Lingnan.” In 1965, it was officially recognized as a town by the provincial government. In 1998, it was listed as one of seven pilot towns for small-town planning, construction, and management by the Provincial Construction Commission. In 2001, it was designated as a key central town for development by the Lechang Municipal Party Committee and Government. In February 2003, it was included in the second batch of towns for healthy small-town development by the Provincial Planning Commission... More detailed information about Pingshi Town++