Heiyu Mysterious Valley

　　The Heiyu Mysterious Valley scenic area in Jixian County, Tianjin, is located in Dongguoyuan Village, 7.5 kilometers east of Jixian County town, covering a total area of 8,000 mu, with its highest peak, Niangniangding, at an altitude of 540 meters. According to local folklore, Dongguoyuan was once the private orchard of An Lushan during the Tang Dynasty. During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, An Lushan, who served as the military governor of the three regions of Pinglu, Fanyang, and Hedong, often stayed in Yuyang. He built an official residence in the city and constructed the Xiongwu City to the east of the city to store grain and forage, while also claiming the Dongguoyuan area as his private orchard. The scenic area is surrounded by mountains, dense with shrubs, secluded, and rarely visited by people. Within this naturally gifted environment, the popular southern “Turen Show” performance has been introduced, blending the ethnic charm of southern minorities with the unique regional culture of the north, creating a seamless fusion of northern and southern elements. It has become a rising star among tourist attractions in eastern Beijing and northern Tianjin. The name “Heiyu Mysterious Valley” comes from the fact that the rocks in the valley are all blackish-brown, and legend has it that black wolves and dark-skinned figures were often seen in the valley, causing locals to rarely venture there. On the slopes, remnants of old house foundations and large terraced fields were unexpectedly discovered, hence the name Heiyu Mysterious Valley.

　　Upon entering from the entrance, the first thing you see is the embroidered building of the Zhuang ethnic group from Guangxi, with grain storage structures also on the open ground. Next to the embroidered building is a performance stage where singing, antiphonal singing, bamboo pole dancing, and shuttlecock throwing performances are held daily starting at 9:00 AM. Visitors can try on ethnic costumes for photos or take pictures with the Zhuang girls.

　　After watching the performances by the young Zhuang men and women, walk along the mountain stone path toward the valley entrance, and you will soon arrive at the entrance of Mysterious Valley. There you will see a high watchtower where men and women of the Wa ethnic group sing at the entrance and lookout platform, seemingly welcoming visitors. Following the stone steps down into the deep valley, you will quickly come to a wooden suspension bridge. Crossing the bridge leads to a sentry tower, where two Wa youths sing melodiously, greeting the visitors. After climbing for less than five minutes, you will reach a resting and viewing platform made of wood. Sitting here to rest, you will see a cliff opposite to the north, known as the “Black Fish Mouth.” On the eastern side of the cliff, there is an altar built by the Wa people, where visitors can rest while watching the Wa tribe perform their ritual worship ceremonies.

　　After watching the worship performance, continue deeper into the valley, pass through the wooden trapezoidal path, cross the AQing Bridge, and you will arrive at the tribal living area.

　　Here, there are some simple thatched huts. Visitors can observe Wa women weaving cloth and pounding rice, as well as witness them eating raw meat, raw vegetables, and even soil. Passing through the tribal area, you will come across a large thatched house, which is the Elder’s House. The elder appears to be around 30 years old, strong, rugged, and exudes an air of authority. Beyond the Elder’s House is the mountaintop of the valley, which serves as a recreational area for the tribe. Visitors can watch performances such as “climbing the blade mountain,” “walking through the fire sea,” “stepping on the hot plate,” group hunting dances, torch dances, and hair-swinging dances.

　　Both Wa men and women have dark skin, but their darkness is not unattractive—in fact, it feels quite pleasant. This ethnic group considers darkness beautiful; if a young man or woman does not have dark skin, it becomes difficult for them to find a partner. If a young man is dark and muscular, he is hailed as the “dark horse prince” and becomes the object of affection for the “black princesses,” eventually winning the heart of the most beautiful “snow princess,” who falls for him despite his fierce appearance.

　　On the north side of the performance area, there is a stone-built ruin of an old house. From the ruins, the exact age cannot be determined, but it reflects that humans once lived here communally long ago.

　　Climbing further up from the mountaintop, you will reach the summit, where traces of cultivation can be seen, allowing you to imagine that long ago, the humans who lived here communally also led lives of men farming and women weaving.

　　Standing on the giant rock at the mountaintop, you can see that this mysterious valley is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with rolling peaks in the distance, truly a scene of overlapping ridges. Looking southeast, you can see the misty Cuiping Lake. Breathe in the fresh air of this natural oxygen bar deeply, look up to the sky, and let out a few wild shouts—feel how relaxed your body and mind become. After playing around on the mountaintop for a while, we returned to the performance area and followed the gravel path along the mountainside, heading south toward what locals call “Niangniang Spring” at “Niangniangding.”

　　On the eastern and western slopes of Niangniangding’s main peak, there is a spring on each side, flowing year-round. Locals call them the two breasts of Niangniang. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited his ancestral tomb in Zunhua’s Eastern Tombs and stayed overnight in Taohua Temple Village, he once favored a village girl. Afterward, the girl often came to the mountaintop outside the village, gazing hopefully for Emperor Qianlong’s return and wishing to be taken back to the palace to accompany him. But her longing eyes never saw him again, and she eventually turned into the mountain peak. Since then, people have called the mountain Niangniangding, and the two breasts of Niangniang became the two springs. We visited the ancient spring on the western slope. Below the ancient spring, the water has eroded a small pool over time. The pool water is crystal clear and sweet and cool to the taste. It is said that drinking this spring water can also reduce internal heat and cure ailments. In 2003, reeds grew in this small pool—an extremely rare sight at this altitude. It may have been the result of seeds brought here by kingfishers, eventually forming this unique scenery.

　　Visiting Heiyu Mysterious Valley allows tourists to experience the lifestyles and cultural charms of the Zhuang and Wa ethnic minorities from Guangxi and Yunnan, appreciate the beautiful natural scenery of the mysterious valley, refine their temperament, and relax both body and mind. Heiyu Mysterious Valley enjoys very convenient transportation and communication. Dozens of farmhouses built against the mountain can accommodate up to 2,000 guests at the same time. While experiencing the unique customs of Heiyu Mysterious Valley, visitors can also feel the honest, kind, and hospitable traditional folkways of the mountain people—making it a truly worthwhile trip.

　　Address: Dongguoyuan Village, Yuyang Town, Jixian County, Tianjin