Tianpeng Mountain Fortress Scenic Area

　　Tianpeng Mountain Fortress Scenic Area is the fourth major attraction in Shanyang County, following Tianzhu Mountain, Moon Cave, and Manchuan Pass Ancient Town. It lies 70 kilometers from the county seat and 20 kilometers from the Moon Cave Scenic Area, extending further in the same direction and even deeper into the Qinling Mountains. The entire scenic area encompasses two peaks within the fortress walls and the valley between them, making it a vast and expansive site.

　　Legend has it that Tianpeng Mountain Fortress was first built during the Ming Dynasty. At that time, local farmers constructed tall stone walls to defend against bandits, forming four major fortresses primarily built by the Wang, Mao, Wei, and other prominent families. Though relatively independent, these fortresses were interconnected by stone walls, making them both defensible and unified. During the Qing Dynasty, after the failure of the White Lotus Rebellion, the rebel leader Wang Cong’er—renowned for her beauty—fled here with her followers and was sheltered by the Wang family fortress. This piece of historical fact adds a legendary aura to Tianpeng Mountain Fortress.

　　 Centered around canyon landscapes, Tianpeng Mountain Fortress Scenic Area was designed with leisure in mind. Ingeniously utilizing the terrain, the site adopts an up-in, down-out approach: visitors enter from the mountaintop and descend all the way to the exit at the mountain base, avoiding the difficulty of climbing. The fully completed and connected hiking trails meander down from the mountaintop and out through the canyon, stretching 6 kilometers in total. Three-quarters of the trail runs along the riverbed, where rocks and the karst mountain formations on either side interplay in surprising ways, showcasing nature’s extraordinary craftsmanship. The stream in the canyon grows larger as the elevation drops, with waterfalls, jade-green pools, and clear streams connecting in a series, displaying the utmost in aquatic charm. Especially noteworthy is a massive waterfall downstream, where water cascades down around a protruding half-mountain. When the flow is heavy, it’s a magnificent sight; when lighter, it resembles a curtain of pearls hanging gracefully, delicate and enchanting. The area is covered in dense forests, exuding a serene atmosphere. The murmuring streams and vigorous waterfalls play like a natural waltz, accompanying visitors along their journey. It feels as though your whole body and mind are being cleansed and refreshed by the flowing waters, gradually becoming light and joyful.