The Miracle of the Isolated Peaks: Dou'e Mountain and the Flying Iron Bridge

The "Unique Peak of Shu"

Located about 25 kilometers north of Jiangyou City within the jurisdiction of Mianyang, Sichuan Province, Dou'e Mountain (Dou'e Shan) is a geological marvel and a historical sanctuary renowned for its sheer cliffs and ancient temples. Originally known as "Dou Tuan Mountain" because its shape resembles a round grain measure (Dou) and a round mass (Tuan), it was renamed during the Tang Dynasty when a local magistrate named Dou Ziming retired here to practice Taoism and achieved "immortality". The mountain rises abruptly from the surrounding plains to an altitude of 1,148 meters, characterized by three isolated peaks that shoot straight into the sky like pillars. These peaks are surrounded by vertical cliffs on all four sides, creating a fortress-like appearance that is almost inaccessible, earning it the reputation of being the "Number One Strange Mountain in Northern Sichuan",.

The Three Peaks and the Flying Bridge

1.The most iconic feature of: Dou'e Mountain is its summit, which is split into three separate peaks: Dongyue Peak, Feixian Peak, and Shentong Peak. These three rocky columns stand side by side, separated by deep fissures. What makes them truly breathtaking is the Iron Chain Bridge (Flying Bridge) that connects two of the peaks. Dating back to the ancient times and reinforced over dynasties, this bridge hangs suspended over the abyss, allowing brave visitors (and formerly monks) to cross between the temples perched precariously on the summits. The sight of pavilions and pagodas clinging to these isolated pinnacles, connected only by iron chains amidst drifting clouds, creates a scene of thrilling beauty that has attracted poets and travelers for centuries. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai, who grew up in the nearby Qinglian town, famously wrote a poem praising the mountain's towering presence: "The woodcutter goes up to the clouds, I see the mountain side from below",.

Yuntia Temple and the Rotating Library

Perched atop the mountain is the historic Yuntia Temple (Cloud Platform Temple), originally built during the Tang Dynasty and expanded during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is a major site for Chan (Zen) Buddhism in Northern Sichuan. The temple complex is a masterpiece of architectural adaptation, built to fit the rugged terrain. Its most precious treasure is the "Turning Wheel Scripture Library" (Zhuanlun Jingzang), located within the main hall. Constructed in the Song Dynasty (12th century), this octagonal wooden structure is one of the oldest and best-preserved rotating Buddhist bookcases in China. It stands 11 meters high and is intricately carved with dragons, flowers, and Buddhist figures, designed to spin so that monks could access scriptures—a rare example of mechanical engineering in ancient religious architecture,.

A Journey of Danger and Beauty

2.Reaching the summit of: Dou'e Mountain is an adventure in itself. Visitors must ascend the "Sky Ladder", a steep and narrow path carved directly into the cliff face, flanked by iron chains for safety. The path winds through ancient cypress forests and past numerous cliffside carvings and stone tablets left by scholars and officials over the last millennium. The mountain is also famous for its "Double Peak" optical illusion and the phenomenon of "Guiding Lights" seen at night. Whether you are there to challenge the iron bridge, admire the ancient engineering of the spinning library, or simply gaze out at the winding Fujiang River from the peak, Dou'e Mountain offers a profound blend of natural danger and spiritual tranquility,,.