Tuojian Peak

　　On the southwestern edge of Yuexi County stands the highest mountain in the entire region—Tuojian Peak, which rises 1,751 meters above sea level. Before visiting, I had been puzzling over the name of this mountain. It was only when I saw it in person that I began to understand. The southwestern side of Tuojian Peak is dominated by rocky peaks, where a sea of stone pillars soars from the earth, towering cliffs rise abruptly, and deep valleys crisscross the landscape. Although none of these rock formations surpass the summit of Tuojian, they give the impression of bearing the weight of the mountain, as if the peak is being “carried” on their backs. Tuojian is a prominent spur of the Dagangling Mountain Range.

　　From the middle of Tuojian extends a steep ridgeline stretching southward, flanked by two large valleys on either side, creating the character “八” (eight). These valleys slope gently toward the connecting ridges on both sides. Each of the four slopes features its own winding paths, with those on the east and west sides being more frequented by locals, while the north and south slopes see fewer visitors. Surrounding this area and the nearby valleys are roughly 100 hectares of land, home to uniquely breathtaking scenery that is difficult to capture in words.

　　First, there are the peculiar rocks, scattered across the landscape and standing dramatically in all directions, each with an extraordinary shape. This is a classic example of a granite peak forest landform. The larger formations feature towering stone pillars and clustered stone stalagmites, while the smaller ones are exquisitely delicate, as if crafted by supernatural forces. Some resemble rare animals and birds: for instance, the Giant Lizard Stone, where a lizard-shaped rock clings to a cliff face; Rabbit Stone, where two sharp, upright stones resemble a pair of rabbit ears. There are also Elephant Trunk Stone, Sea Lion, Sea Turtle, and Dragon Egg, among others. Some resemble human figures or objects: Stack of Arhats, where seven massive rocks are piled on top of each other; Terracotta Army, where a row of rocks stands neatly in alignment from left to right. Others look like everyday items, such as Chair Stone, whose high backrest resembles a chair; Waist Mill Stone, which from below looks like a pillar reaching the sky, from Tuojian appears like a car, but when viewed from the side seems like a millstone. There are countless stones shaped like the sun, moon, and immortal peaches. Many other peculiar rocks couldn’t be closely examined from multiple angles due to time constraints. These marvels of nature, ingeniously formed, are both fascinating and awe-inspiring.

　　Second, Huangshan pines are found throughout the area’s Large and Small Snail Eye formations. These pines take the rocks as their mother and the clouds as their nourishment, rooting themselves in perilous cliffs and standing firmly atop jagged peaks, tall and sturdy. Their short, thick needles are dark green and glossy, with flat tops as if trimmed, showcasing an unparalleled beauty in their posture. Some pines grow several zhang (a traditional Chinese unit of length, roughly 3.3 meters) tall, while others are less than a chi (around 0.3 meters). Thanks to the wonders of nature, they exhibit a variety of majestic forms—some stand tall and upright like giants holding up the sky; some stretch out their verdant branches like flowing water or drifting clouds; some twist their trunks like dragons probing clear waves; others stand proudly like tigers returning to their mountain lair. Each tree has a unique form, indescribably wonderful; every pine shares common traits yet differs in beauty, offering a feast for the eyes. Like the Guest-Greeting Pine of Huangshan, they are abundant here, though though hospitable, they seldom actually welcome guests.

　　Tuojian Peak rises thousands of feet into the sky, its base forming valleys, and mountain streams converge and flow downward. Waterfalls cascade down, crashing into pools, which then overflow into springs and streams, creating a gentle babbling sound like a zither. After rain, the waters swell, and the rushing currents roar, shaking the valley. From Tuojian Peak down to the exit at Galaxy Valley, a distance of less than 100 li (approximately 50 kilometers), there are 10 hydropower stations each with a capacity of over 100 kilowatts. These deep mountain pearls add even more charm to the already stunning scenery.

　　Though Tuojian’s naturally beautiful scenery may not be as famous as Huangshan’s, it is no less comparable. For a long time, it has remained “hidden away, unrecognized by the world.” Legend has it that the great poet Li Bai once intended to travel from Mingtang Mountain to Tuojian Peak. He carved two gourds into the rocks of Hulu River, with ribbons tied to them, and above the gourds, he inscribed four large characters: “Heavenly Radiance.” The patterns and inscriptions on the rocks are still clearly visible today. The river was thus named Hulu River (Gourd River). Located south of Mingtang Mountain, it was here that Li Bai, contemplating seclusion in the deep mountains to escape turmoil, planned to follow the Hulu River over Mingtang Mountain to reach Tuojian Peak. But upon reaching the foot of Mingtang Mountain, he looked up at its five jade-like, unclimbable peaks. At the time, having suffered defeat while supporting Li (likely Li Linfu), he was disheartened and unable to pursue the “heavenly radiance” he yearned for. And now, he couldn’t even reach Mingtang Mountain, let alone Tuojian Peak, which is derived from and even more towering than Mingtang. Left with no choice, he went to seclude himself at Sikong Mountain instead.