Back Mountain Waterfall

　　The Back Mountain Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Yangxin County. It is approximately 38 kilometers from the county seat. The source of the waterfall is a spring known as “Fairy Maiden Spring.” Legend has it that long, long ago, the ancestors of Back Mountain had to carry water down the mountain or collect it from crevices in the rocks. One noon, an elderly man from Wangtabao in Back Mountain was collecting water from a rock crevice when a fairy maiden who happened to pass by asked, “Elder, could you give me a bowl of water to drink?” Without hesitation, the old man scooped up a bowl of water and handed it to her. After drinking, the fairy maiden blew a breath toward the crevice, and the water gushed out suddenly. The old man wanted to thank her, but she had already ascended into the clouds. Later, locals named the spring “Fairy Maiden Spring.” Today, the pool has been expanded into a large mountain reservoir with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters, and a power station has been built. It not only supplies electricity to the villagers of Back Mountain but also transmits power to the county seat through a 37-kilometer-long high-voltage transmission line.

　　The second tier of the Back Mountain Double Waterfalls cascades down from a forested height of 80 meters like a wild horse breaking free or a dragon surging through the sea, roaring fiercely as it pours into the valley and forms a stream. On one side of the waterfall, the cliffs are steep as if cut by a knife, with rocks seemingly ready to fall; on the other side, ancient vines twist around, and thorny thickets abound. Hidden among the brambles is a karst cave. Inside the cave are countless stalactites—some hanging like inverted lotus flowers, some standing tall like pines defying the snow, as well as stone pillars, stalagmites, and stone screens, all strikingly lifelike. There are also many smaller caves within the main cave.

　　From the second tier of the waterfall, climb up 447 steps through dense tree shade. After reaching “Clear Pool” and walking slowly along the channel of the Back Mountain Power Station, you will arrive at “One-Day Gate.” Cross the steep “Sky Bridge,” and the first tier of the Back Mountain Double Waterfalls comes into view. The waterfall plunges down from a hundred-meter-high cliff, and midway, it is intercepted by a protruding rock, causing the water to strike the rock and send droplets flying like pearls and jade. In the sunlight, two rainbows appear—one on the left and one on the right—as if dancing in flight. The waterfall flows into “Moon-Imprinted Pool” with a thunderous roar. The pool water is crystal clear, with small shrimp and fish occasionally swimming back and forth or resting among the rock crevices and grass. Scoop up a handful of the water—it’s ice-cold to the touch yet sweet as candy to drink.