Nanjiang Duqu

　　　Nanjiang Duqu, according to the unearthed biological fossils, is an extraordinary wonder created during the late Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era about 150 million years ago as a result of the Sichuan orogenic movement. The Duqu area is surrounded by water on three sides and backed by Longshan Mountain. The three gully valleys—front, middle, and back—stretching over ten miles are all nestled within a vast sea of forests. Among them, the gullies crisscross, interconnected through caves, with bizarre rocks piled up, resembling humans, objects, birds, and beasts. The uniquely shaped stones, as if carved by nature’s hand, along with clinging vines, create a landscape reminiscent of an ocean of rocks. Stepping into this place, you feel as though you’re in a sculpture garden. This site not only preserves caves where ancient humans once lived a primitive life of hunting and gathering, crafting stone tools, but also served as a resting and recuperation ground for injured Red Army soldiers during World War II. Moreover, it was historically used by generations of Nanjiang residents as a stony refuge to evade bandits and invasions.
　　In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a grindstone field and fossilized remains from primitive humans were discovered successively at Duqu. A large number of Neolithic stone tools such as stone hoes and stone axes, along with pottery shards, were also unearthed. Experts from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences stated: “The Daba Mountains are the junction of the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins. The fossils found at Duqu hold significant scientific research value for the study of human development in China.” This further confirmed that ancient humans once thrived here in Nanjiang. Furthermore, the numerous unearthed stone and pottery artifacts prove that as early as the Neolithic Age, primitive communities settled here. To adapt to geographical and climatic changes, they moved from the first terrace of Duqu to the higher second terrace, Yangbatai Plateau, in the back mountains. The Sichuan Provincial Archaeological Team excavated hundreds of Neolithic artifacts and pottery shards at Yangbatai, further demonstrating the long history of Duqu. Through generations of human habitation and alteration, the Stone City of Duqu has developed into a unique formation. Within the relatively well-preserved Middle Gully, traces of ancient human habitation can be seen everywhere. Among the rocks, in the caves, in the low-lying areas, and beneath the stone cliffs—wherever there was shelter from wind and rain or space to set up makeshift shelters—you can find remnants of ancient walls and stone carvings. Examples include inscriptions such as “Liao Guangshun resided here,” “Changling’s Four Major Clans Occupied This,” “Landlord Liu Dashou,” and “Fuxing Cave,” among others.
　　To defend against external threats, the people of Duqu engaged in extensive construction, building fortresses and strongholds to guard against invasions by armies and bandits. Examples include “Sifang Fort” (“Square Fort”), “San Chun Fort” (Legend has it that in the early Northern Song Dynasty, after Zheng Ziming was killed by Emperor Zhao Kuangyin, his wife Tao Sanchun sought refuge and joined her sworn brother, Gao Huaidé, the governor of Jizhou. Tao trained troops here for self-defense, built walls and fortifications at Duqu, drilled soldiers, and assisted Gao in governing Jizhou), and “Red Army Fort” (In 1933, after the Red Army achieved a major victory at Kongshanba, the Sichuan Army fled in disarray. Red Army medical personnel broke through the enemy lines to intercept them, achieving the extraordinary feat of medical staff winning a battle). These include several mountain forts and dozens of fortified walls. These forts were strategically located, with well-designed gates that made full use of the treacherous terrain and underground caves within the gullies. The upper parts of the forts were spacious and steep, while the lower parts had interconnected hidden tunnels. During the day, people carried out their activities outside the forts, but at night or in emergencies, they would retreat into the lower caves to rest or hide. Some forts were surrounded by sheer cliffs, accessible only by a narrow, perilous path—truly a place where one man could hold off ten thousand. At the entrance of the Middle Gully, there are two front fortress gates, creating a layered and nested defense system—fort within a fort, step-by-step fortification, easily defended and hard to attack. In the central area of the Middle Gully, beside “San Chun Fort,” there is a large open grassy area of several hundred square meters. It connects to the gate of “San Chun Fort” to the east, while the other three sides are walled with stone slabs and feature three stone gates leading to other forts. Research suggests that this area served as the political, military, and cultural center for the people of Duqu to gather, discuss matters, and conduct military drills.
　　Within the gully, there is a massive rock formation forming a naturally arched hall. During the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, when the White Lotus Sect attacked Nanchong City and burned down the county government office, Magistrate Qiu Liangjun used this natural cave as a courtroom for hearings, hence it earned the name “Great Government Hall.” Unfortunately, it was destroyed by stone quarrying during the Cultural Revolution. Therefore, whether the people of Duqu truly established a county government in human history remains an unresolved mystery.
　　In 1995, Duqu was developed into a tourist attraction and turned into a park, becoming a comprehensive cultural and recreational destination for sightseeing, leisure, convalescence, cultural entertainment, educational research, and revolutionary tradition education. After nearly three years of construction, the park began to take shape. Stone paths wind around, four gullies crisscross the park, pavilions and corridors display diverse designs, and flying pavilions and flowing boats attract visitors. The grand Eight Scenic Spots of Duqu offer a magnificent and spiritually enriching view. The “Majestic Southern Gate” showcases the grandeur of the people of the Daba Mountains; the “Stone Sea Cave Village” preserves the living wonders of ancient Ba people; the “Eastern Hill Explorations” embody the playful charm of myriad unique stones; the “Western Tower Moon-Gazing” invites you to drink under the moon and sing to the skies; the “Primordial Mystic Feelings” reveal the timeless emotions of humanity; the “Pine Waves and Rhymes” encourage you to listen to the boundless voice of nature; the “Gliding Boat Ride” lets you drift through the clouds and purify your soul; and a stroll along the pathways will leave you lingering without wanting to leave. The wonders of Duqu are natural marvels crafted by heaven, with ancient relics still preserved and new scenes continuously emerging. Ancient and modern elements blend seamlessly, making it a truly wonderful destination for travel.