Last updated 2026-11-12 — Qinniuling in the Santan Scenic Area is a treacherous section of the Shu Road and also a culturally renowned mountain. The poetic line by the immortal poet Li Bai, “How winding is Qinniuling, with nine turns in a hundred steps…” made Qinniuling widely known. The Sage of Poetry, Du Fu, further praised the landscape here with his verse, “Only now do I know, beyond the Five Sacred Mountains, there are other peaks of great majesty,” giving high acclaim to the mountains and scenery of this area. Santan is truly: ancient relics lie across misty ridges, caves pierce through forests where birds tread carefully. Du Fu regretted praising other mountains as peerless, while Li Bai marveled at the difficulty of the Shu Road. Embracing spring all year round, it gives birth to myriad scenes; twin valleys cradle the moon, guarding Santan. Vast meadows stretch beyond the clouds, and only the unique tiankeng reveals nature’s grandeur.