Qianceng River

　　 Qianceng River is located in Hengxi Township on the border between the western part of Langao County and Chongqing. With its beautiful mountains and clear waters, it boasts unique natural scenery and hides countless unforgettable wonders and stories. There are so many memorable natural landscapes to enjoy. Bizarre mountains, scenic views, strange trees, and peculiar roots can be seen everywhere. The area has been praised by author Jia Pingwa as the “Jiuzhaigou of Southern Shaanxi.” The water here takes on a thousand forms and displays a kaleidoscope of colors—there’s a waterfall every three steps and a pool every five. On sunny days, the streams flow gently, while after rain, waterfalls cascade everywhere. Morning mists shroud the landscape, making it hard to see the pools beneath the cascading water; the mist seems to turn into water itself. It’s also difficult to distinguish between the emerald-green pools and their crystal-clear waters. Qianceng River offers a different view at every level, with surprises hidden within each layer.

　　 The mountains of Qianceng River are intertwined and dance together, having absorbed the essence of the sun and moon for millennia, displaying to visitors their ancient grace and beauty. The scenery at Dongfeng Rock and Xifeng Rock is especially captivating and fills one with endless curiosity. Inside Dongfeng Rock, a swarm of bees can block out the sun at noon when they pay homage to their king. On Xifeng Rock, there is a cave of unfathomable depth. A short way in, you’ll find an underground river with floating debris on its surface, and from time to time, giant bats fly through unimpeded. Legend has it that this cave leads all the way to Sichuan.

　　 The water of Qianceng River is crystal-clear and gentle, exuding a delicate beauty. The waterfalls and pools formed along the river are particularly memorable. Black Dragon Pool and White Dragon Pool are unfathomably deep, while Moon-Sun Pool, Jumping Fish Pool, and others are all beautifully clear and green. Legends surround spots like Graceful Water River, Immortal River, and Python Spitting Sword, waiting to be depicted and appreciated. Watch the schools of fish and shrimp swimming freely in the shimmering waters, chasing life-giving currents. Their freedom and reverence for life may inspire many thoughts about existence, even sparking a sudden desire to spend the rest of your life in their company.

　　 Qianceng River is formed by the convergence of several tributaries, including Graceful Water River and Immortal River, each with its own origin story. Legend says that Wang Cong’er, on her journey from Sichuan to Hanwang City, passed by a tributary of Qianceng River. Seeing its beautiful mountains and clear waters, with the river curving around like it embraced the moon, she named it Graceful Water River. Immortal River lies close to Shentian Grassland, an area with fertile, flat land. There is a large cave within the river. Legend has it that in ancient times, people would borrow tables, chairs, and benches from this cave for weddings and funerals. All one had to do was burn a few sheets of paper and offer incense, and the needed items would magically appear. Hence, it was named Immortal River. In the middle reaches of Qianceng River lies a large bend called Liujia Bay, which, according to legend, was where descendants of Liu Bei once lived in seclusion—thus its name. The shores of Qianceng River have often been recorded in historical biographies. For example, the Mao family from Maojialiang produced generations of scholars and imperial examination graduates. During the Daoguang era, one member, Mao Weirong, even became a provincial governor (Han Prefecture Chief). A plaque inscribed with the imperial award “A Sprig of Osmanthus in Guilin” from the Wuying Hall still stands as proof. During the Guangxu era, the second-highest educational institution in Langao County was also established at the mouth of Qianceng River.