Exploring the Wonders of Nandan Ridge

　　In the rugged mountains of the Nandan Hadalaling Range in Raohe County, there are over ten natural tourist resources awaiting development: Panyun Ridge — Thirty-Six Turns, Danzhang Cliff, Camel Hump Scenery, Wangjiang Platform, Zhaixing Ridge, Longzhan Dangerous Path, Tiger’s Mouth, Thousand-Ren Cliff, Yingmen Mountain Pass, Daiyun Ridge Peril, Immortal’s Platform, and Panlong Valley.

　　I. Panyun Ridge — Thirty-Six Turns

　　Panyun Ridge is located 22–29 kilometers west of the county town. It stretches from Jizhuzhu River in the west to the North and South Xiaodai Rivers in the east, forming a continuous range of undulating hills. Bordered by the Dai’er River valley to the south, the peaks fold back and forth like clouds in the sky. The cliffs rise steeply, creating a naturally perilous terrain. The road winds along the mountain, with turns so unpredictable they earn the name “Thirty-Six Turns.” Though dubbed thirty-six turns, there are actually no more than seventeen or eighteen sharp bends. These include Morning Sky Turn, Panyun Turn, Cancong Turn, Snake Coil Turn, and Flying Dragon Turn, among others. The area features jagged boulders and perilous cliffs, presenting a truly spectacular sight and one of the county’s most scenic spots. Since the late 1960s, unregulated quarrying has destroyed these once-majestic peaks, cliffs, and precipices, turning them into stone mines. The original wonders have been reduced to ruins.

　　II. Danzhang Cliff

　　Three kilometers north of the Nandan Hadalaling Range and past Longzhan, northwest of Pik Mountain, lies a rugged rocky outcrop. The steep cliffs rise sharply, with winding roads hugging the rock faces. Below the road lie deep valleys where trees compete in lushness, and the blue sky stretches vast and misty, often cloaked in drifting clouds — a majestic and awe-inspiring sight. Travelers often stop here to take in the view. The cliff’s reddish-brown stone gives it the name Danzhang, meaning “Red Cliff.”

　　III. Camel Hump Scenery

　　The Camel Rock formation stretches north and south with several peaks. The northwest peak is called Camel Head Mountain, known for its striking sword-like peaks, sheer cliffs, and deep valleys, creating a rugged and mysterious landscape. Near Wulin Cave, it is also known as Little Camel Hump, Porter’s Mountain, or Crane-Resting Peak. The main peak rises majestically, resembling a camel’s hump, a breathtaking sight. Legend says an ancient porter once led a camel through the desert when a sudden snowstorm struck, freezing both porter and camel to death.

　　Later, the camel turned into a lone mountain peak, the porter into a steep ridge — Crane-Resting Peak — in front of the camel hump, while the camel’s hair became the lush pines covering the mountain. Crane-Resting Peak and Camel Hump Mountain were said to predict the weather for travelers: when the wind howled like a piercing flute, storms were near; when snow approached, white cloud caps formed. In the past, a temple was built in Qierqin (now Xiangyang Village) to honor them, but it has long since vanished. Nevertheless, Camel Hump remains one of the county’s most magnificent peaks. As the saying goes: “Mist and rosy clouds shine bright, mountain hues veil valleys in light; ancient paths echo flute’s lament, clouds don white hats as rains descend.”

　　IV. Wangjiang Platform

　　Wangjiang Platform is located at the southeastern end of Peacock Ridge, on the eastern ridge of the Lime Kiln area. It faces the Dagobelakang River valley to the south, with steep cliffs rising abruptly and a flat summit like a platform, situated beside the Yongxing–Zhengjiang Village road. Travelers often rest here, gazing toward the Ussuri River and the open plains, lost in reverie — hence the name Wangjiang Platform, or “River-Gazing Platform,” also called “Hometown-Gazing Platform” for its sweeping views. The steep southern slope adds to its perilous nature.

　　V. Zhaixing Ridge

　　Located along the western ridge of West Dadingzi Mountain, at the highest point of Beidai Ridge, Zhaixing Ridge is reached via a winding, rock-carved path that zigzags steeply uphill. A dramatic S-shaped curve marks the final ascent, with a sharp incline and sudden turns. Below lies a gorge hundreds of meters deep, appearing precarious from above and unfathomably deep from below. As the highest watershed between Guanmenzui and Xiaojiaqi River, it ranks among the county’s most treacherous spots.

　　VI. Longzhan Dangerous Path

　　Situated at the junction of Shending Mountain and Pik Mountain, this S-shaped road cuts through the mountain,

　　twisting like a dragon — hence the name Longzhan, or “Dragon Path,”

　　reminiscent of ancient plank roads in Sichuan. Drivers approach cautiously, daunted by the challenge. Towering pines and firs on all sides create an eerie atmosphere, making it one of the county’s most dangerous areas.

　　VII. Tiger’s Mouth

　　Located on the northern foothills of Pik Mountain, one kilometer northwest of Danzhang Cliff, Tiger’s Mouth is a rocky spur of Nandan Ridge. The road cuts through the cliff like a broken cave, resembling a tiger’s gaping maw. Below lies the source of the Liliqin River. The deep valley, soaring pines, and sheer cliffs make it another near-impassable stronghold.

　　VIII. Thousand-Ren Cliff

　　Thousand-Ren Cliff lies 1.5 kilometers north of Tiger’s Mouth, along the mountain-cutting road of the Nandan Hadalaling Range. This two-kilometer stretch of perilous cliffside road features narrow paths hemmed in by towering peaks, often shrouded in morning or evening fog where pine forests blur into the mist, making it hard to distinguish earth from sky. The deep valleys beside the road remain unfathomably mysterious, earning it the name Thousand-Ren Cliff (“Cliff of a Thousand Ren,” a traditional unit of measure denoting great height). Located at the source of the Liliqin River, the roaring sound of mountain streams during rainy seasons adds to the ominous atmosphere, marking it as a militarily strategic and foreboding zone.

　　IX. Yingmen Mountain Pass

　　Two kilometers west of Daiyun Ridge, Yingmen Mountain stands as the northern spur of Foli Ridge, bordering the Yueling Valley of Sihechuan. Its steep cliffs face off against Daiyun Ridge, hence the name Yingmen, or “Gate Mountain.” The road descends sharply from Daiyun Ridge before winding around, making it a critical chokepoint on the route from Raohe to Baoqing, historically a fortified stronghold. During the Japanese puppet regime, the Kwantung Army forced laborers to build military fortifications here, and the dug trenches remain visible today. In the 1960s, the area in front of the mountain was developed into lime kilns by Raohe Farm and Hongqi Ling Farm, with much of the forest cleared, diminishing its once-formidable terrain.

　　X. Daiyun Ridge

　　Daiyun Ridge is the backbone of the county, serving as the watershed between the Dai’er River and Sihechuan. Its high elevation commands the crucial Rao-Bao Highway, making it a strategic military location that can be used for both offense and defense — a critical stronghold of great importance.

　　XI. Immortal’s Platform

　　Located west of Tuoyao Mountain, at the watershed between the eastern source of Xiaodai’er River and the southern source of Huashu River, the Rao-Fu Highway winds around this flat, platform-like area. Looking south from here, the entire Xiaodai’er River valley unfolds in a breathtaking panorama. Legend says immortals once played chess here, giving the spot its name. A hundred meters north of the platform lies the highest point of the watershed, where a small ravine on the northern slope feeds a spring. Two small hills rise on either side of the ravine, guarding the approach. Remnants of fortifications built by the Japanese Kwantung Army during the puppet Manchukuo era still remain, marking it as a historical military stronghold.

　　12. Panlong Valley

　　Panlong Valley is located at the source of the Northeast Stream in Shichang, where the ancient Qiumuji Mountain meets Foli Mountain. With steep mountain ridges, sheer cliffs, winding paths, and winding peaks resembling the coiled form of a dragon, it is thus named. Adjacent to deep valleys and gorges, the area has an extremely solemn and desolate atmosphere, and served as a military stronghold. Travelers passing through here cannot help but feel a sense of awe.