Bailang Mountain

Bailang Mountain

Bailang Mountain

Bailang Mountain is situated on Dayang Mountain in Yangshugou Village and Daxishan Village of Baitazi Town. Majestic and towering, it stands proudly against the sky at an elevation of 881 meters, ranking among the most prominent peaks in the county’s rugged mountain ranges. On an autumn day shrouded in overcast clouds and light drizzle, Dayang Mountain was veiled in mist. Viewed from afar...

Bailang Mountain, now known as Dayang Mountain, lies between Baitazi Town, Pingfangzi Town, and Shanzuizi Town in Kazuo County. It rises to an elevation of 881 meters and spans 12 square kilometers. The mountain features over 20 caves, the largest being the Front Tiger Cave and the Rear Tiger Cave. Wild cherry blossoms, azaleas, and mountain grapes dot the slopes. Birch, linden, maple, bitter buckthorn, and mountain elm trees grow in tangled profusion. Shrubs like osier thickets blanket the mountainside, turning the northern slopes of Bailang into a natural botanical garden.

With its awe-inspiring grandeur and soaring vitality, Bailang Mountain is a historically renowned peak. In the autumn of the 12th year of the Jian’an era, Cao Cao led his troops eastward to campaign against the Wuhuan and climbed this very mountain. He decisively defeated the Wuhuan forces at its base, leaving their chieftain Tadun’s corpse abandoned in the wild and accepting the surrender of over 200,000 Hu and Han people. With the eastern front secured, Cao Cao was overjoyed and composed timeless masterpieces such as “Viewing the Boundless Sea,” thus etching Bailang Mountain into the annals of history as a legendary site.

The mountain takes the shape of a horseshoe and stretches from northwest to southeast. From afar, it appears lofty, thick, and steep, with ridges and peaks gracefully arching, enveloped in rising clouds and mist, exuding a majestic presence. On the mountainside southwest of the main peak, along the ridgeline, lies a pale-colored rocky cliff about 50 meters long and 15 meters high. From a distance, it resembles either a white wolf, a white deer, or a sheep, with its head facing the summit and resting atop the east-west watershed. The origin of Bailang Mountain’s name is tied to this white wolf-like rock. Venturing into the mountain’s interior, one is greeted by murmuring streams, dense forests, overgrown grasses, and the sudden flight of pheasants and magpies—nature’s beauty unfolds vividly. Drinking from the stream yields cool, sweet water tinged with a hint of grassy fragrance, refreshing the soul. From the mountaintop, a sweeping view reveals endless peaks and valleys, offering an unobstructed panorama. One truly feels as though “at the summit, one stands near the crimson sun, while the farthest seas merge with the white clouds.”

Historical records indicate that Dayang Mountain was called Bailang Mountain during the Han Dynasty, Bailu Mountain in the Northern Wei period, and Dayangshi Mountain in the Qing Dynasty. On the watershed west of the main peak sits a massive white rock formation, resembling a sheep from afar, as well as a white wolf or white deer—hence the name. The site also includes the ruins of the “Bailu Mountain Shrine,” the very Bailang Mountain ascended by Cao Cao during his northern campaign against the Wuhuan.

The story of Cao Cao’s ascent of Bailang Mountain dates back to the 12th year of the Jian’an era (207 AD) during the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the northern Wuhuan tribes grew powerful and settled across the five commanderies of Shanggu, Yuyang, Youbeiping, Liaoxi, and Liaodong. At the time, Kazuo was part of Youbeiping Commandery (modern-day Lingyuan). By the late Eastern Han, the Wuhuan tribes of Liaodong, Liaoxi, and Youbeiping formed a formidable tribal alliance, with Liucheng (modern-day Yuan Tai Zi in Chaoyang) as their political center, dominating the Liaoxi region—historically referred to as the “Three Commanderies’ Wuhuan.” Tadun was the most powerful among them, serving as the chieftain of the three commanderies. Meanwhile, in the Central Plains, warlords vied for supremacy. Yuan Shao, who dominated the north, allied with the Wuhuan to crush Gongsun Zan. In 199 AD, after seizing Youzhou, Yuan Shao, in gratitude to the Wuhuan, falsely decreed in the name of Emperor Xian of Han, appointing Wuhuan chieftains as chanyus and even arranging marriages between them. He personally married his daughter to Tadun, the leader of the Three Commanderies’ Wuhuan. After Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao’s second and third sons, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, fled to Tadun, plotting to reclaim their lost territories in Ji Province. Determined to eliminate this threat, Cao Cao resolved to campaign against Tadun. Most of his generals opposed the idea, but the strategist Guo Jia strongly advocated for the expedition, arguing that unless Tadun was crushed, the provinces of Qing and Ji would never know peace. Cao Cao also worried that Liu Bei, the former Governor of Yuzhou, might incite Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou, to attack Xudu (modern-day Xuchang, Henan). Guo Jia assured him that Liu Biao, indecisive and suspicious, knew he was less capable than Liu Bei and feared being overshadowed, so he would never heed Liu Bei’s advice. Thus, Cao Cao promptly marched north to Yi (modern-day northwest Xiongxian, Hebei), accompanied by his son Cao Zhi and General Zhang Liao. Heeding Guo Jia’s advice to strike swiftly, Cao Cao left all heavy supplies behind and led a light cavalry force on a forced march, traveling day and night. He also enlisted the reclusive scholar Tian Yu to serve as the magistrate of You County and act as a guide. When Cao’s army passed through Wu Jing (modern-day Jixian, Tianjin) during the rainy season, the roads were muddy and treacherous. Following Tian Yu’s suggestion, Cao Cao had a large wooden sign erected beside the main road, inscribed with: “The summer heat is intense, the roads are impassable; we shall resume the campaign in autumn or winter.” This misled the Wuhuan into complacency. Meanwhile, Cao Cao took a detour through Xu Wu Mountain, traversed rugged trails, exited the Lulong Pass, and journeyed over 500 li through Bai Tan, Ping Gang, and the Xianbei court, advancing directly eastward toward Liucheng. When the Wuhuan forces, stationed just 200 li from Liucheng, finally detected the approaching army, Tadun, Yuan Shang, and Yuan Xi hastily rallied Wuhuan cavalry alongside the Chanyus of Liaoxi (Lou Ban) and Youbeiping (Neng Chen Di Zhi) to intercept them. In August, they clashed with Cao’s forces at Bailang Mountain. The *Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wei: Annals of Emperor Wu* recount: “In August, Cao Cao ascended Bailang Mountain and unexpectedly encountered the enemy, whose forces were vast. With the baggage train far behind and few armored troops, his men grew fearful. Climbing a height to survey the battlefield, Cao noticed the disorganized Wuhuan formations and ordered an attack, with Zhang Liao leading the charge. The enemy lines collapsed, Tadun and other chieftains were slain, and over 200,000 Hu and Han people surrendered.” Cao’s army then swiftly captured Liucheng. Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi fled to Gongsun Kang, the Governor of Liaodong. Acting on Guo Jia’s strategy, Cao Cao halted the pursuit, waiting for Gongsun Kang to deliver the heads of the Yuan brothers. In September, as Cao’s forces withdrew from Liucheng, Gongsun Kang indeed ambushed and killed Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, and the Liaodong Chanyu Su Pu Wan, sending their heads to Cao Cao as a token of submission.

After defeating the Wuhuan and eradicating the remnants of the Yuan clan, Cao Cao had effectively unified the north, with the exception of the Guanxi region, which remained under the control of Ma Teng and Han Sui. His campaigns brought an end to the prolonged fragmentation and chaos in the northern territories, ensured peace along the northern borders, and laid the foundation for further societal development in the region.

Source: Tourism Bureau of Harqin Left Wing Mongolian Autonomous County