Tongmuling

　　Tongmuling is situated to the north of Ciping and is a scenic area that blends cultural and natural attractions. The area is covered with tung trees, which produce gorgeous blossoms in spring and summer, making it a truly picturesque sight—hence the name "Tongmuling" (Tung Tree Ridge). Key attractions include a reservoir, poetry steles, and the site of the Qilu’ao Battle.

　　During the struggle at Jinggangshan, the Red Army built fortifications on Tongmuling, one of the famous Five Major Fortified Passes. The area features crisscrossing ravines and rugged terrain, with ancient stone-paved paths and the Five-Li Pavilion scattered throughout. In the deep valley to the east, there is also a stone trough waterfall stretching approximately 200 meters. Along the mountain road, clusters of antler-like azaleas can be seen.

　　Tongmuling is 9 kilometers northeast of Ciping, at an elevation of 866 meters, and is a scenic area that combines cultural and natural elements. The hillside is blanketed with tung trees, which bloom spectacularly in spring and summer, earning the area the name "Tongmuling." During the Jinggangshan revolutionary period, the Red Army constructed fortifications here, making it one of the renowned Five Major Fortified Passes.

　　In May 1960, the renowned writer Du Xuan passed through Tongmuling during his trip to Jinggangshan. Impressed by the picturesque peaks, he composed the poem "Tongmuling": Pine and fir stand lush and green, Clear streams brim as clouds embrace the peaks. Travelers on the path feel as if in a painting, Amidst overlapping mountains stands a mighty pass. Each peak boasts heroic feats, yet all differ, Every cliff reminds one of valorous souls. Can it be that the blood shed back then Has dyed the azalea blooms an even deeper red?

　　Shiyandong (Swallow Stone Cave) is located 12 kilometers northeast of Ciping. This unique karst cave is formed from Devonian limestone, dating back approximately 250 to 380 million years. Inside Shiyandong, the stalactites are dazzling and come in a myriad of shapes—there are stone trees, pillars, stalagmites, and flowers, all pure white and translucent. Some formations resemble immortals, humans, or animals, such as Guanyin Sitting on a Lotus, Three Mothers Teaching Their Children, a Fawn Nursing, a Swan with Its Neck Curved, and a Jade Ruyi (Scepter), all strikingly lifelike and vivid.

　　Shiyandong is winding and profound, with about 1,000 meters currently explored. It features caves within caves, and nested chambers—seven bead-like cave clusters have been discovered so far. The largest is over 60 meters high and about 50 meters in both length and width, resembling a grand hall that could accommodate more than a thousand people. The smallest cave is over 10 meters high, with dimensions of around 20 meters in both length and width. Inside the cave, murmuring springs provide a crisp, pleasant sound. Free-flying cave swallows add to the fascination.

　　Luofu is located 20 kilometers northeast of Ciping, at the foot of Tongmuling. It is a mountain basin covering about four square kilometers and serves as the headquarters of the provincial state-owned Jinggangshan Comprehensive Farming and Reclamation Farm. It is often referred to as "Little Ciping." Major attractions include a reservoir, mountain ridges, the Five Springs, and the site of the Qilu’ao Battle.

　　Qilu’ao is situated to the northeast of Jinggangshan, 20 kilometers from Ciping, and is a strategic mountain pass leading from Jinggangshan to Taihe.

　　During the Jinggangshan struggle, the Red Army conducted guerrilla warfare here. In February 1928, He Changgong assisted Wang Zuo’s forces in setting up an ambush here, successfully annihilating Yin Daoyi, the leader of the reactionary local armed forces on Jinggangshan. This victory marked the first major triumph for the Workers’ and Peasants’ Revolutionary Army after ascending the mountain, boosting the morale of Wang Zuo’s troops and accelerating their reorganization.

　　In 1964, the local government erected a gate inscribed with Comrade [Mao Zedong]’s calligraphy “The First Mountain Under Heaven” here to commemorate the site.

　　As early as the late Song Dynasty, people migrated here from Shandong and Henan to settle. Later, the Zhang family built a village in the center of the basin, vowing to claim all the surrounding mountains for the Zhang clan—hence the name. In 1929, when the main force of the Red Army left Jinggangshan, the melody of "Ten Farewells to the Red Army" included these lyrics: “The third farewell takes the Red Army to Nashan, Where golden corn shines bright on the hills. The seeds were sown by the Red Army, And the sown seeds blushed crimson across the skies.” The Jinggangshan Hot Spring Resort is located on this red earth, enjoying a cool and moist climate with abundant sunshine. The temperature remains a constant 22°C year-round, and the springs are perpetually clear with excellent water quality.

　　The Tongmuling Scenic Area includes four components: Tongmuling, Shiyandong, Luofu, and Nashan.

　　Tongmuling is 9 kilometers northeast of Ciping, at an altitude of 866 meters, and is a scenic area that combines cultural and natural landscapes. The area is covered with tung trees, which bloom beautifully in spring and summer, hence the name "Tongmuling." During the Jinggangshan struggle, the Red Army built fortifications here, making it one of the famous Five Major Fortified Passes. The region features crisscrossing ravines and steep terrain, dotted with ancient stone paths and the Five-Li Pavilion. A stone trough waterfall, about 200 meters long, lies in the deep valley to the east. Along the mountain road, clusters of antler-shaped azaleas can be found.

　　Luofu is 20 kilometers northeast of Ciping, at the foot of Tongmuling. It is a mountain basin of about four square kilometers and is the site of the provincial state-owned Jinggangshan Comprehensive Farming and Reclamation Farm, often called "Little Ciping." Key attractions include a reservoir, mountain ridges, the Five Springs, and the Qilu’ao Battle site.

　　Address: Jinggangshan City, Ji’an, Jiangxi Province

　　Type: Forest

　　Ticket Information:

　　No ticket required. Tongmuling is not yet fully developed and currently has no entrance fee.