Huaiqian Liangzi

　　   Huaiqian Liangzi lies on the western edge of the Wuling Mountain Range, along the eastern fringe of Qianjiang District in Chongqing. With karst topography and well-developed karst landforms, it boasts gently undulating ridgelines, steep crags, thousands of abrupt peaks, and crisscrossing ravines. Its northern end is just 16 km directly from downtown Qianjiang and 33 km from Xianfeng County, while its southern end is directly 36 km from Youyang County — its vast expanse is truly unique in Qianjiang. From a distance, Huaiqian Liangzi appears rugged, hazy, and layered with verdant peaks, resembling an unsolved mystery. For years, due to its isolated location and scarce human presence, it has been called a "maiden hidden away in seclusion," viewed by nearby and distant travelers as a mysterious journey.

　　The beauty of Huaiqian Liangzi lies in its wonder, serenity, elegance, and peril.

　　The Wonder of Huaiqian Liangzi

　　Peaks of Majesty. Huaiqian Liangzi has seven major high points. Among them, the main peak, Da Huaiqian Liang, rises to 1,938.5 meters above sea level, Shijia Gouding at 1,885.1 m, Pifengba at 1,878.2 m, Sichuan Pass at 1,865.6 m, Xiao Huaiqian at 1,895 m, Huangbaiya at 1,820.5 m, and Qihao Ling at 1,540 m. The first six summits offer panoramic views of the mountain ranges across Qianjiang, Xianfeng, and Youyang districts. Due to their elevation, Qianjiang TV Station even built a TV relay tower there.

　　Beauty Showing Her Blush. The Huaiqian Liangzi pristine ecological zone forms a narrow strip, running roughly from north to south, higher in the north and lower in the south. It starts at Shazichang in the north and ends at Xisha River in Youyang in the south — a place long yearned for by adventurers. The straight-line distance from end to end is 33 km, averaging about 6 km in width and up to 9 km at its broadest. The ridgeline resembles a reclining maiden. Viewed from above: her hair flows at Shazichang, her brow rises at Pifengba, her eyes rest at Sichuan Pass, her nose dots Da Huaiqian, her lips part at Xiao Huaiqian, her chin lies at Huangbaiya, her neck tucks at Upper Heidong, her chest swells at Qihao Ling, and her hips sink into Xisha River. Like a reclining beauty, she stirs the imagination.

　　One Ridge, Three Vistas. The Huaiqian Liangzi pristine ecological area can be divided by altitude into three levels: the Xisha River platform at around 500 m, the Qihao Ling plateau at approximately 1,400 m, and the high mountain ridges above 1,800 m. The vertical drop between these is about 1,300 m, with tightly connected, steeply ascending and descending transitions. Ecologically, the natural zones are arranged from high to low as forest, pasture, and water regions. From an administrative perspective, ascending from Xisha River in Youyang, you will encounter what locals call “Three Vistas Slope,” such as “ErTai Ping” and “San Wang Po,” each representing a different elevation tier.

　　Playful Climate. Huaiqian Liangzi exhibits a distinct vertical climate, with abundant rainfall. In the high mountain areas, summer outdoor temperatures reach around 29°C and indoor highs about 20°C, while winter outdoor lows drop to around -16°C and indoor lows to about -3°C. The annual average temperature is roughly 11°C. Compared to the river valley, the vertical temperature difference is about 10°C. As terrain rapidly descends, temperatures rise sharply — when residents in Mala Town below Huaiqian Liangzi are still basking in the open, tourists staying at the hotel at 1,834 m altitude dare not linger outside, as the chilly wind makes even hot days feel cold.

　　Ancient Ruins Gather. Qihao Ling is not only a uniquely shaped plateau grassland but also a cluster site of ancient ruins. Dynasties of Tusi chieftains once vied for territory and power here. Legacy sites passed down through time include Qihao Ling, Shengqi Village (formerly Shengqi Fort), Chaqi Dam, Anleping, Dongjia Wan, and Gongjia Wuchang — all bearing distinct historical imprints. Corresponding to these are ancient trading posts, dried-up ancient lakes, ferry crossings, silver/copper/lead/zinc smelting sites. The smelting cave near the foot of Wufeng Mountain remains a mystery — no one knows why or when it was sealed, or how. A folk rhyme says: “Mine to Jiayu Spring, buy fields across the land,” pointing to this area’s long-known mineral richness. Mining has resumed here, reportedly with significant reserves.

　　The Serenity of Huaiqian Liangzi

　　Huaiqian Liangzi is an intensely pristine botanical treasure trove, home to hundreds of tree species, including over 20 rare varieties under national first and second-level protection. Plant distribution here shows clear regional and large-scale characteristics. These species grow and die naturally in this completely isolated environment, passing through generations — a truly eye-catching sight.

　　The Elegance of Huaiqian Liangzi

　　Hundred Streams and Thousand Waterfalls. Arriving at Huaiqian Liangzi, you’ll realize the ancient saying “lofty mountains, long waters” holds true. Due to the area’s lush vegetation and forests with strong water retention and self-regulation abilities, streams flow continuously, in diverse forms, and can be seen everywhere — it’s no exaggeration to say there are a hundred small streams. Coupled with the interplay of flat and steep terrain, numerous small and large waterfalls are formed.

　　Hills on the Ridge. The Qihao Ling platform in the southern section of Huaiqian Liangzi is a plateau with shallow hills, spanning villages such as Gaolu, Bailong, and Youyang’s Xisha Kou, covering nearly 40 square km — with Gaolu Village alone spanning 28 square km. On this plateau at an average elevation of around 1,400 m, nearly 200 short hills of varying heights (within tens of meters) stand upright, coexisting harmoniously with the grasslands. These scattered little hills are perfect for grazing and eco-tourism.

　　The Perils of Huaiqian Liangzi

　　Six Great Maze Basins. On the northern, central, and mid-southern sections of Huaiqian Liangzi, along the ridge, lie about six primeval forest ecological labyrinths, each about 5 square km in size, the largest spanning 7–8 square km. These mazes feature complex terrain, densely packed small hills, and thick forests — once inside, it’s hard to tell direction, and even forest guides dare not venture in. Notable examples include Pifengding in the north, commonly called the “24 Pig Bellies,” with 24 similarly shaped small hills — once inside, it’s easy to get lost. The mid-southern maze, called Luanbao, contains around 72 hills; over twenty years ago, a forestry engineer from the county went missing there. In the central area, Huaiqian, there are also dozens of similar small hills. Without companions, venturing here is extremely dangerous.

　　The Huaiqian Liangzi virgin forest spans hundreds of square kilometers and is rarely visited by humans — a reputation well deserved. In 1964, Pu Chunhua, then an engineer with Qianjiang County Forestry Bureau, got lost while surveying the mid-southern forest area and wandered for three days and nights around the area known as Luanbao. Despite a large search operation, he wasn’t found until the fourth day, when he emerged alone from Daban Camp in Youyang County. Such incidents aren’t isolated — they involve herb gatherers, mushroom pickers, and adventure seekers, leading to a rule that no one may enter the forest without a group, compass, or guide.

　　Here, nothing is artificial — everything is natural, mysterious, and awe-inspiring. Within its bounds, you'll find wonder, grandeur, peril, elegance, and serenity in full display. Being here, you’ll marvel at nature’s miracles, let your imagination roam free among earthly beauties, and allow leisurely delight to flow naturally amid primal simplicity. To sum it up in one line: it is a mystical land; it is a paradise of freedom. As more travelers arrive, we believe the veil hiding this untouched gem will gradually lift. We can imagine that Huaiqian Liangzi, with its mystique and beauty, will attract those who “know only of its legend, not its truth; admire its appearance, but not its soul,” to explore and study.