Qilijia Gorge

　　Qilijia Gorge, originally named Qixing Gorge, was renamed “Qilijia Gorge” in 1992 when China Central Television introduced the scenery of Qili Gorge in its program “Scenes of China.” Nestled deep within the mountains on the northeastern edge of Guangyuan, it lies 64 kilometers from Wangcang County and borders Ningqiang County in Shaanxi Province. The total area is approximately 330 square kilometers, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 2,276 meters and an average height of 1,200 meters.

　　Qilijia Gorge can be divided into four major scenic areas: the Four Wonders of the South Zone, the Five Beauties of the North Zone, Qili Gorge, and Gucheng Mountain.

　　The Four Wonders refer to Yanfengkou, Chuanyanzi, Tadidong, and Huagai Stone. Yanfengkou is located in Yuanshan Village, Ganhe Township, Wangcang County. From a distance, a huge rock appears wedged between cliffs, seemingly ready to fall amid the clouds and mist. Up close, however, there is only a narrow strip of sky overhead, with solid walls on both sides—visitors can walk through without any fear of being hit by falling rocks.

　　Chuanyanzi is a perfectly round hole about 20 meters in diameter right in the middle of a sheer cliff. There are no obstacles around it, nor can it be climbed. Only by standing on the mountainside opposite and aligning with the hole can one view the scenery behind it, resembling a giant kaleidoscope. Tadidong is a massive karst cave of unfathomable depth. To this day, no one has reached its end. Inside, the stalagmites, stalactites, stone lotuses, and stalagmitic formations are crystal-clear and exquisitely shaped—some resemble a meditating Bodhisattva, others a dragon coiling around a pillar, two dragons playing with a pearl, fairies scattering flowers, or a beautiful woman dancing gracefully. The countless scenes are a feast for the eyes. Huagai Stone is about two li from Chuanyanzi. A mushroom-shaped rock, or rather an umbrella-like formation, stands atop the mountain peak, hence the name Huagai Stone. The “stem” of the mushroom is so thick that it would take ten people to encircle it, while the “cap” has a circumference of about 500 meters, providing shade and shelter for hundreds of people underneath.

　　The Five Beauties of the North Zone refer to Tiefo Temple, Ganhe Dam, Menshan Rock, Dashuitan Pool, and Dayanhe Waterfall. The construction date of Tiefo Temple is unknown, but it is recorded to have been renovated during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty. Ganhe Dam is located at the site of the Ganhe Township government. To the east of the government office runs a river—its upstream flows gently, while its downstream rushes violently, yet the three-kilometer middle section remains dry all year round, with only scattered rocks and gravel on the riverbed. Menshan Rock is located 300 meters from the township market. A massive stalagmite leans at a fifty-degree angle, resembling a finger pointing to the sky. Dashuitan, also known as Daye’bao Shitang, is 600 meters from the township market, situated below the terrace of Tiefo Temple. The pool covers an area of about 400 square meters, surrounded by sculpted-like stone walls. Dayanhe Waterfall is located about 3 kilometers northwest of Tiefo Temple. The waterfall cascades down from a hundred-meter-high cliff, presenting different views in each season.