The Red Rock Legend: Karst Forests and Guerrilla History at Huaying Mountain

The "Little Mount Hua of East Sichuan"

1.Located in Huaying: City, Guang'an, Sichuan Province, Huaying Mountain (Huayingshan) stands as a majestic natural barrier on the edge of the Sichuan Basin. Approximately 40 kilometers from Guang'an city center and 150 kilometers from Chongqing, this mountain is a National 4A-level Tourist Scenic Area and a National Geopark. It is celebrated not only for its breathtaking geological formations but also for its deep-rooted revolutionary history. Known as the "Little Mount Hua of East Sichuan" due to its steep and rugged terrain, the scenic area covers a core zone of about 100 square kilometers with the main peak, Gaobaozhai, rising to an altitude of 1,704 meters. Unlike the rolling hills common in the region, Huaying Mountain features dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and a unique high-altitude karst landscape that has earned it the reputation of being a "Natural Geological Museum" and a "Natural Oxygen Bar" for its high negative oxygen ion content.

A Masterpiece of Karst Stone Forests

2.The most striking feature of Huaying: Mountain is its spectacular Stone Forest. While the famous Stone Forest in Yunnan is a depression type, the Huaying Mountain Stone Forest is a rare "Mountain Stone Forest" located high on the ridges. Formed over hundreds of millions of years through geological uplift and erosion, these gray-white limestone pillars thrust into the sky like swords, creating a rugged, maze-like forest amidst the verdant greenery. The rocks take on countless fantastical shapes, inspiring names like the "Husband and Wife Peaks" (Fuqi Feng), which symbolize eternal love, and "Monkey Watching the Sea". Visitors can wander through narrow crevices like the "One Line Sky" (Yixiantian), where the sky is reduced to a sliver of blue, or marvel at the massive "Number One Natural Bridge" (Tianxia Diyi Tianshengqiao), a natural stone arch that spans a misty abyss. The contrast between the stark, ancient rocks and the lush, tangled vines and trees creates a scene of primitive, wild beauty,.

The Legend of the "Double-Gun Old Woman"

Huaying Mountain is inextricably linked to the history of the Chinese revolution. It was once the stronghold of the Huaying Mountain Guerrillas during the 1930s and 40s. The complex terrain of caves and forests provided natural cover for revolutionary activities. This area is the setting for the famous novel Red Rock and the legend of the "Double-Gun Old Woman" (Shuangqiang Laotaipo), a heroine known for her marksmanship and bravery. Today, visitors can explore the Guerrilla Command Post ruins, see revolutionary slogans carved into the cliff faces that have weathered the decades, and visit the Double-Gun Old Woman Memorial Hall. The statues and relics scattered throughout the stone forest tell stirring tales of resilience and sacrifice, adding a profound layer of "Red Culture" to the scenic "Green Landscape",.

Baoding Sunrise and Tianchi Lake

Beyond the rocks and history, Huaying Mountain offers serene natural vistas. The Baoding (Precious Tripod) area at the summit is a renowned spot for viewing the Sunrise and the Sea of Clouds. At dawn, the sun rises over the rolling clouds, bathing the limestone peaks in golden light, a phenomenon known as "Baoding Chaoyang." Nestled within the mountains lies Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Pool), a clear, emerald-green alpine lake surrounded by peaks. It reflects the stone forests and trees like a mirror, offering a tranquil escape. In summer, the mountain serves as a cool retreat with temperatures significantly lower than the surrounding basin, while winter transforms the landscape into a silver world of rime ice and snow, making it a destination for all seasons,.