Weeping Cliff

　　Situated on the western side of the road in the Ancient Lang Gorge, there is a steep cliff described as “jutting out from the mountaintop and overhanging precariously, as if on the verge of collapse.” Legend says that during the campaign against the Western Xia, the Yang Family Generals were halted at Hulang Pass, where eleven female generals lost their lives. Moved by their sacrifice, the mountain wept, hence the name “Weeping Cliff.” Ming Dynasty commander Wang Guotai inscribed the words “Utterly Precipitous Mountains and Rivers” upon it. Qing Dynasty magistrate of Ancient Lang County, Xu Sijing, composed a poem titled “The Perilous Cliff”:

　　“Harder than ascending to heaven is Shu’s ancient road;   Today I stand alone before Qin’s mountains.   Countless rocks fall from the collapsing cliff,   Bird paths pierce the sky, joining heaven’s ranks.   The narrow valley road lets carts and horses pass,   Winding and twisting like a dragon in flight.   The roaring sound of the river below   Makes one defender seem like ten thousand. ” Modern poets have also written about it:   “Deep in the ancient gorge stands the towering cliff,   Loyal spirits face the flowing waters for a thousand years.   Brave warriors have always aspired to serve the nation,   Heroes give their lives—but not their tears!”