Hero’s Slope

　　After entering the Huxiao Rock scenic area and walking ahead, you’ll encounter a fork in the path. The straight path leads to a slope planted with Wuyi Rock Tea. Follow the arrow to the other path. Looking up, you’ll see a towering peak that seems to pierce the clouds. A series of zigzagging stone steps ascend from the bottom up at an angle of 60 to 70 degrees. The steps are narrow, winding, and sometimes so steep that you’ll have to use your hands and feet to climb. Ascending these steps feels like climbing a heavenly ladder. This very ladder is Hero’s Slope.

　　Halfway up the stone steps of Hero’s Slope, you’ll come across an ancient brick gate. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find it’s called “Jiyun Pass.” The pass is situated at the junction of a valley fork, and when the valley is shrouded in shifting clouds and mists, the swirling vapors gather and disperse, hence the name Jiyun (Gathering Clouds) Pass.

　　Jiyun Pass sits atop a cliff and is the only passage through the gorge that allows entry and exit from the east and west. Often enshrouded in thick fog, it serves as a natural defensive barrier—easy to defend but hard to attack—making it a strategic military stronghold. Continuing upward from Jiyun Pass and climbing roughly another 600 stone steps, you’ll finally reach the summit of Huxiao Rock.

　　There are two routes on Hero’s Slope: one going up and one going down. The upward path is strenuous, resembling a straight, towering dragon, and demands considerable physical effort. Some visitors, after reaching Hero’s Slope, exclaim, “Hero’s Slope truly lives up to its name—it’s a real workout!” The downward path is shorter and leads more quickly to the end, but you’ll miss out on many beautiful sights. Since most visitors come for the breathtaking views, they choose to climb up Hero’s Slope. Going up leads to famous attractions such as the Destiny Bridge.

　　Source: Fujian Provincial Tourism Development Commission