ZhiZhi Gorge

　　    ZhiZhi Gorge is situated 8 kilometers northeast of Jingyuan County, on the eastern side of Yangcao Village in Huanghua Township. It borders Kongtong Mountain to the east, Liupan Mountain to the west, and faces LaoLong Pool to the south. The gorge stretches 45 kilometers in length and was formed during the Ordovician period, approximately 800 million years ago. The name "ZhiZhi" originates from the ancient ethnic minority groups "Yanzhi" and "Yanzhi-shi," who thrived in the area during the Spring and Autumn Period.

　　    Long ago, the ZhiZhi Gorge and its surrounding areas were covered with lush vegetation and ablaze with crimson hues, making it not only an ideal place for grazing and farming but also a prime spot for gathering rouge. Hence, the mountain was named ZhiZhi Mountain. The ethnic minorities living here wore ZhiZhi-colored garments, used ZhiZhi powder, and consumed flowers associated with ZhiZhi hues. Their daily lives were inseparable from ZhiZhi plants and flowers, leading neighboring tribes to refer to them as "Yanzhi" or "Yan-shi." In ancient Chinese, "Yan" means "red," synonymous with the modern term "ZhiZhi" (rouge).

　　    ZhiZhi Gorge boasts not only a poetic name but also rich cultural heritage. With dramatic cliffs to the east, peculiar formations to the west, exquisite landscapes to the south, and breathtaking views to the north, the gorge has been masterfully sculpted by nature’s artistic hand. Bizarre peaks and unusual rocks rise proudly, each with its own unique posture and vivid charm. The stone formations of ZhiZhi Gorge feature "strange rocks," "cliffs," and "precipices" as key scenic elements, and the overall landscape is characterized by "seclusion, mystery, wonder, and peril."