Shimen Natural Stone Scenic Park

Shimen Natural Stone Scenic Park

At the rear of the Yinshan Gorge, there is a small natural valley known locally as Shimen. It features a granite landscape composed of two gullies, approximately 500 meters and 1,000 meters in length respectively, covering an area of about 3 square kilometers. The site showcases typical “U”-shaped and “V”-shaped gullies, with the canyon walls forming a variety of vivid and uniquely shaped rock landscapes. These include natural stone paths, stone alleys, “Dragon and Snake Duel,” “Big Fish Head,” “Monkey Watching the Sea,” “Eagle Hunting,” “Stone Duck,” “Old Pig Dreaming Beautifully,” “Athletes,” “Camel Peak,” “Squirrel Stealing the Sun,” “Leopard Retracting Its Head,” “Golden Turtle Exploring the Sea,” “ roc Crying to the Sky,” “Monkey King Peeking Out,” “Guardian of Yinshan,” “Heavenly Ladder,” “Shepherdess,” “Heavenly Horse Galloping Across the Sky,” and more. In each of the two gullies, there is also a clear spring that flows year-round, known as the “Mandarin Duck Spring.” Scattered among the scenes are elm trees, adding to the beautiful scenery. At the entrance of the gorge, there are also nearly century-old elm trees and herders’ residences. Although none of the landscapes have been officially named, they are quite densely clustered, forming a rare and captivating ensemble that leaves visitors in awe.

This site is referred to locally as the “Houqi Jiuzhaigou,” but it is actually more fittingly called the “Houqi Little Huangshan.” To the north of this scenic area lies another large rock formation known as the “Buddha’s Hand Reaching to the Sky,” which can be viewed from the roadside. At dusk, when the sun sets, it creates a unique spectacle of the Buddha’s Hand bathed in the glow of the sunset.