Lava Cave Landscape in Sancha River Gorge Illuminated by Moonlight

　　Yuezhao Scenic Area

　　Located at the northern end of Yuezhao Yi, Miao, and Hui Ethnic Township in Zhongshan District, it lies opposite the already developed and utilized A’erhe Scenic Area of Shuicheng County across the river. The area includes Xiaotun, Dushan Village, Daba Village, and Shuangdong Village, covering an area of about 25 square kilometers, and is home to ethnic groups such as Han, Yi, Miao, and Hui. The highest elevation is the main peak at Shuijingbian at 2,090 meters, while the lowest (at the river boundary) is 1,445 meters. It is a typical region with a vertical climate and classic karst landforms, featuring good natural ecological vegetation with forest coverage of 42%. The area is dominated by evergreen trees and grasslands, lush and green year-round, bursting into mountain flowers in spring. The karst landscape here features peak clusters and valleys, with high mountains and deep valleys, bizarre peaks and rocks scattered everywhere, caves commonly found, high vegetation coverage, and good-quality mountain spring water — a rare paradise. The Yuezhao Scenic Area boasts unique karst cave landscapes and many legendary tales. Little Gorge

　　Located between Shuangdong Village and Dushan Village, the Sancha River cuts a section of about 2.5 kilometers from Sheduozhai to Luoshuidong into a canyon with cliffs hundreds of meters deep and 200–300 meters wide, forming a “one-line sky” spectacle. The two cliffs are sliced into steep precipices with numerous caves in the walls, and remnants of ancient cliff coffins can be found. The Sancha River flows between Luoshuidong and Shuichudong, with the mountaintop at 1,972 meters above the riverbed, a height difference of 525 meters, resembling a rainbow bridging north and south — majestic and steep. An ancient post road runs along the mountain, which was a vital route connecting ancient prefectures and is now the essential passage for residents on either side of the cliffs. Downstream of Shuichudong, there is another collection of uniquely shaped karst formations that rise like pillars into the clouds. Yuezhao

　　Located at the mountaintop of Majiaying, at the junction of Shuangdong Village and Dushan Village, there is a round karst hole. Viewed from the Shuangdong Village Committee, it looks like a bright moon hanging in the sky, from which Yuezhao (literally “Moon Illumination”) gets its name. At the mountain’s foot, the water is clear as a mirror, truly embodying the scene of “the bright moon shining in the sky, and the clear spring flowing over the stones.” Xiaotun

　　Located in Xiaotun Village — as the name implies, it’s not large, spanning less than a square li, with steep cliffs on all sides, slightly gentler on the north side, and a flat, round top. There is a cave at the top that leads down to the riverbed and could hold thousands of people inside. It is said to have been an ancient military stronghold and a refuge for locals during times of chaos. Today, remnants such as piled-up stones, protective walls, sentry posts, and guard huts can still be seen at the cave entrance. The Xiaotun to Hegou section also preserves a relatively intact ancient post road. Dushan

　　Dushan is located in Dushan Village and got its name because it stands alone, unconnected to other mountains. It is 20 kilometers from the district government seat and stands 162.8 meters tall with a circumference of over 30 meters — a massive stone pillar surrounded by sheer cliffs, standing tall and steep. The top of the pillar is densely covered with lush greenery, earning it reputations such as “Inverted Brush Writing Heaven’s Script” and “Final Brushstroke Writing Heaven’s Script.” Dushan also features the following enchanting landscapes: Slope Pasture

　　Located in the Shuijing group of Dushan Village, at an elevation of 2,085.4 meters, the mountain stretches gently with well-preserved vegetation and dense, lush forests. Camelback Mountain

　　Located in the Xiaochang group of Dushan Village, running from north to south, it resembles a camel slowly moving through the desert toward Yanjiao River to drink water, standing at an elevation of 1,800 meters. Toad Swallowing the Moon Mountain

　　Located in the Shuijing group of Dushan Village, the mountain resembles a toad looking up to the sky as if trying to swallow the moon. Crouching Wolf Mountain

　　Located in the Dushan group of Dushan Village. Legend has it that a wolf demon often preyed on livestock and harmed people. Upon learning this, the Jade Emperor ordered Erlang Shen to investigate. Filled with rage, Erlang sent his celestial dog to track the demon. The wolf, unable to defeat the dog, fled and hid, disappearing from sight. The dog then leaped into the air to search, suddenly spotting the wolf peeking out. It hurled its steelyard weight, hitting the wolf’s waist. With a mournful howl, the wolf was pinned to the mountain ridge. The front part of this mountain resembles a wolf’s head, howling upward, while the back part looks like the steelyard weight, motionless. Big Xiao Cave

　　Located in the Xiaodong group of Dushan Village, it stretches approximately 400 meters east to west and about 20 meters high. The cave’s eastern entrance is at the foot of Xiaodong Mountain, and the western entrance is midway up the cliff of Shuangdong Village. The cave mouth is spacious, and the interior can accommodate thousands of people. In ancient times, people used the cave to produce saltpeter, and remnants such as saltpeter stoves and slag remain, resembling a sand dune in the desert — quite a spectacular sight. Crow Cave

　　Located in the Shuijing group of Dushan Village, it earned its name due to the abundance of crows. At an elevation of 2,025.3 meters, the cave is about 12 meters high. Wu Sangui stayed in this cave during his campaign against the Shuixi region and used it as a vantage point to confront the local chieftain An Xianyi stationed in Fairy Cave. He eventually eliminated An’s local militia. Fairy Cave

　　Located in a sheer cliff on the left side of the Xiaochang group of Dushan Village, about 120 meters from the cliff base, 50 meters from the cliff top, and 40 meters from both sides — the surrounding rock face is as sharp as if cut by a knife. An Xianyi used this strategic terrain to resist Wu Sangui, but after being besieged for half a month, his forces were defeated and captured due to exhaustion of ammunition and supplies, including water. During the Xianfeng era, it was the site where the Miao woman He Xiangu planned to rally rebels against the Qing dynasty. It is said she gathered over 400,000 insurgents from righteous armies in regions such as Wei, Shuǐ, Hè, Zhī, and others, and coordinated with Hong Xiuquan in Guangxi to launch battles that shocked the Qing court, including victories in the “Er Tang,” “Ba Wa,” and “Lang Dai” campaigns. He Xiangu’s strategies spanned 13 years, using the Xiao Cave to train troops and cutting off the crucial north-south passage of An’s stronghold atop the cave. In 1958, a Miao man surnamed Li used a rattan rope tied to a tree at the cave top to explore the cave but did not reach the end, leaving its full depth unknown. Inside the cave, there are several feet of firewood ash, as well as rice stalks, bamboo combs, and stone mills. Under the Qing government’s combined strategy of “reward and punishment,” He Xiangu’s forces were defeated. This cave records 10 years of resistance by An Xianyi and 13 years by He Xiangu against the Qing. Monkey Cave

　　Located in the Xiaochang group of Dushan Village, about 200 meters from Xiao Cave. Legend says that during a battle between the Monkey King (Sun Wukong) and Erlang Shen, Sun Wukong was accidentally pinned to the rock wall by a heavy palm strike from Erlang. A statue resembling the Monkey King serves as evidence. Hence the cave is named Monkey Cave. It has a small entrance but a large interior — about 10 meters in, there is a karst hall spanning around 6,000 square meters, extending about 150 meters northward with unique landscapes, abundant rocks resembling monkeys playing, chasing deer, climbing cliffs, and trees. The cave contains sights such as giant turtles, terraced fields, waterfalls, and mountain ranges. Flower-Hopping Slope

　　Located in the Changba group of Dushan Village, it is a sacred site where the Miao people hold their annual festivities. In the past, Miao people from regions such as Wei, Shuǐ, Hè, and Nà would gather at the flower ground for celebrations, flower-hopping dances, and matchmaking. Power Station Waterfall

　　By the river at Shuichudong, there is a power station. Up close, you see splashing water; from afar, you hear the roaring waves. During the day, factory buildings dot the view; at night, it glows like a string of pearls. Dam Grassland

　　Located on the northeastern side of Yuezhao Township in Daba Hui Ethnic Village, consisting of Dahaidam, Huangdam, and Huazhulin dam areas, it is an important pasture for local Hui people, spanning over 3,000 acres. At an elevation of 2,067 meters, it is about 20 kilometers from the district government and roughly 5 kilometers from the Eagle Mountain Divine Cave Maze. In spring, the green grassland bursts with blooming flowers, and herds of cattle and sheep dot the meadows. Among them, some graze, some chew cud, and others playfully chase each other. The surrounding mountains offer a sweeping panoramic view — a true grassland scene.