Frog Croaking Mountain

Frog Croaking Mountain

Frog Croaking Mountain

Frog Croaking Mountain, also known as Hidden Scenery Mountain or -Mountain, is located 13 kilometers northeast of Arxan Town and 160.5 kilometers from Genhe City. The entire mountain is picturesque, rugged, and steep, dotted with peculiar rocks and ancient pines and cypresses towering overhead. On top of a 20-meter-high conical boulder sits a strange rock formation that resembles a frog crouching on the summit of the stone peak. Its "soft tissue" under the chin appears to be inflated, and it gazes intently at the sky, making visitors feel as if they can hear the frog’s loud croak echoing through the valley.

When exploring the deep forests and remote areas of the northern Greater Khingan Mountains, you’ll often encounter strange and fascinating sights that refresh your senses. For instance, the unique single-barbel catfish and toad-headed peculiar rocks in the Arxan area frequently leave visitors astonished. To learn more about these unique features, head to "-Mountain," commonly known as Frog Croaking Mountain, located 9 kilometers from Arxan Town. After hearing the guide’s explanation, you’ll understand why it’s called Frog Croaking Mountain and why the region has single-barbel catfish...

Long ago, legend has it that three brothers from the Central Plains fled north to the secluded, forested mountains of the frontier to escape famine and war, seeking immortality and spiritual enlightenment. Upon reaching the banks of the Jiliuhe River, they found the place not only tranquil and vast but also breathtakingly beautiful, so they decided to settle there and devote themselves to spiritual practice. The eldest brother admired the celestial beings in the heavens and aspired to become a soaring dragon, inhaling clouds and exhaling mist daily while socializing with other practitioners. Over time, immersed in the rosy clouds and mist, horns grew on his head, and his body gradually sprouted scales. The youngest brother was wild and carefree, finding his elder brother’s cultivation methods akin to suffering and utterly worthless. Especially unbearable was his innate craving for meat — without any savory food, meals felt bland. Preferring freedom, he chose to wander carefree through forests and springs, especially enjoying chasing waves in the river to catch small fish and shrimp for food. Yet even that couldn’t satisfy his enormous appetite, often leaving him drooling from hunger. The middle brother, 0, thought the eldest brother’s dedication to cultivation and future ascension to the heavens was admirable, but too exhausting; his younger brother’s carefree life with plenty to eat was fine too, but lacked purpose and seemed like a wasted existence. He could never decide which path to take, so he alternated between practicing breathing exercises with the eldest and wandering and playing with the youngest. Procrastinating in this way, time flowed on, and countless days passed.

One day, the Heavenly King Li Jing, as he patrolled the Northern Heavenly Gate, looked down upon this place and said, “These three brothers have been cultivating in these old woods for quite some time — it’s time they had their fates decided. Today, I will set their forms in place!” With a wave of his sleeve, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a sudden heavy rain poured down. When the rain cleared and the skies brightened, he looked around and cried out, “Oh no, oh no!” It turned out that the eldest brother, due to incomplete cultivation, had a dragon-like head but an undeveloped body. His scales transformed into towering cliffs and massive rocks that sprawled across the mountains, forming a high ridge. Later generations named this mountain Fulong Ridge (Crouching Dragon Ridge). Hence, Arxan Town got its name. The middle brother, 0, due to lack of focus, achieved neither greatness nor mediocrity — his head and neck turned into a toad staring up at the sky, while his body remained buried in the mundane earth. Struck by lightning, a straight crack formed below his neck. Locals call this rock the “Unfinished Stone” or “-Stone.” It stands at the tail end of Fulong Ridge, hidden among green pines and white birches alongside his elder brother. In spring and summer, purple-flowered thyme, wild roses, and lilies adorn it, making it a famous local landmark. Only the youngest brother, who was catching fish in the stream when the Heavenly King cast his spell, transformed into a unique cold-water catfish native to the area, with a single barbel formed from his drool. Disliking noise and preferring tranquility, it hides by day and emerges at night, keeping company with starlight and moonbeams. True to its greedy nature, it can even swallow fish or frogs of similar size in one gulp.

After visiting Fulong Ridge and Frog Croaking Mountain, stop by a restaurant at the foot of the mountain to try the single-barbel catfish — and then you’ll have seen all three brothers.