Qincheng Stone Gorge Group: A Natural Wonder of the Loess Plateau!
Located in the depths of the Loess Plateau, in the remote mountains of Qincheng County, Tongchuan Town, and Taibai Liangxiang's Fangshan Village at the Stone Bridge junction, a small river flows through a low-lying gully connecting the two mountains. The river valley has been shaped by natural water flow and millions of years of rain erosion, wind and sun erosion, forming a series of gorges with distinct shapes.
Traveling along National Highway 309, you arrive at the Xiaohei River basin. The two-joined gully formations at the bottom of the gorge, like a masterpiece meticulously designed by nature's hands. Through long-term hydraulic erosion and sculpting, the textures are clear and possess endless creative possibilities, forming a natural cave, offering a unique feeling.
Within the cave, towering cliffs stand tall and immeasurable. 'Songqiu' ( – ancient, gnarled pine) clings precariously to the cliffs, while bizarre rocks are embedded within. Walking along the riverbed, the stones wind and turn beneath your feet, with various sized pools within the gorge, each with a unique shape and a magnificent atmosphere.
Looking up, the gorge appears to have been cut by a giant axe and meticulously trimmed with scissors. A section of sky is framed within different block-shaped edges. In the sunlight, the colors refract brilliantly, creating a spectacular display of 'seven-colored radiance,' offering a unique feeling.
Venturing deeper along the uneven, high and low riverbed, the light gradually dims, and the space becomes increasingly narrow. Occasionally, a refreshing breeze blows through the gorge, instantly cool, prompting onlookers to shout, and the echo reverberates throughout the secluded valley. Standing at the opposite end of the cave, 500 meters away, the sound of Stonexianglin ( – a rock formation) is heard as thunder.
The small stream and winding path create a hidden paradise, as if the gods split a Xianren ( – Immortal) cave into two halves. Sunlight pours into the gorge, creating a scene reminiscent of a paradise, leaving visitors wanting to stay forever.
Walking along this 200-plus meter gorge, with a maximum width of 3 to 5 meters and a narrowest point passable by one person sideways, the sandstone rocks on either side of the gorge have been sculpted by water flow into a thousand shapes. The unique Loess Plateau rock-solution landscape marvel is on full display.
The approximately 4,000-meter-long landscape of Loess gorges and gravel-deposited rock gorges, formed at the bottom of the ditch near the village, creates a stunning landscape. The riverbed is gentle, the river channels are winding and meandering, and the banks are characterized by Loess and unique landforms. The five stone gorges formed by the long-term erosion and cutting of gravel-deposited rock are particularly spectacular.
At another location in the gorge, near the road, a large bridge embraces a smaller bridge, with vehicles constantly passing through, and the two bridges provide an endless flow of transportation energy. Within the tunnel of time, it seems they are warming nature with their embrace after millions of years.
▍Source | Qingyang City Culture, Sports, Media and Tourism Bureau
▍Editor | San San
