Golden Ding Village

　　Golden Ding Village is situated in Jingshi Township in the southern part of Yudu County, 50 kilometers from the county seat and 500 meters from the Yupan Highway. It stands at an elevation of 373 meters, bordered by Huichang to the east, the Yuweng Hydropower Station to the south, Pangushan Town to the west, and Pingshan to the north. The village is surrounded by steep cliffs, and from a distance, it resembles a rice steamer. Legend has it that it was formed from a rice steamer left behind by an immortal chef who was exposed while passing through the area, hence it is also known as “Rice Steamer Mountain.”

　　Several smaller hills dot the surroundings of Golden Ding Village. To the west lies one that looks like ritual vegetarian food offered to the gods, called “Zhaihua Dun” (Vegetarian Offering Mound). In the northeast, there are two adjacent peaks. It is said they were two immortals from the Queen Mother of the West’s entourage, who were banished from heaven for knocking over her jade cup—thus named “Golden Boy and Jade Girl Peaks.” To the east, you can see an upside-down golden bell and two stone drums not far from each other. Between the two drums lies a pile of scattered rocks, which legend says were originally “buns” growing on the body of Golden Ding Mountain. These buns could absorb the essence of the earth and kept growing, threatening the survival of local residents. Upon learning this, the Jade Emperor sent the Thunder God to destroy the “buns.” Not far to the southeast of Golden Ding Village lies a horse-saddle-shaped hill called Ma’an Mountain, which, according to legend, was formed after its head was cleaved off by the Thunder God.