Liming Thousand Tortoises Mountain (Qianguishan) of Laojunshan National Park in Lijiang
Thousand Tortoises Mountain, located in Liming Township, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, is the largest and highest known area of Danxia landform in China. The scenic area features many beautiful red rocks that have weathered into tortoise shell-like structures. One of the slopes resembles thousands of small tortoises forming a larger tortoise, arranged naturally and orderly as if they are heading towards the rising sun in the east, making it a unique highlight of the Danxia landscape in Liming.
Geographical Environment
Liming Thousand Tortoises Mountain is situated in the western part of Liming Village, within Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang. In the southwestern part of Liming Village, there are many beautiful tortoise shell-like rock formations created by the weathering of red rocks. One slope resembles thousands of small tortoises forming a larger tortoise, arranged naturally and orderly, as if continuously moving toward the rising sun in the east. This is the magic of Liming Thousand Tortoises Mountain, the largest and highest known area of Danxia landform in China.
Main Attractions
- Tortoise Back: The weathered, giant scales of the rocks protrude in rounded shapes, resembling the backs of tortoises. Because of their abundance and density, this area is called “Thousand Tortoises Mountain.”
- Sleeping Tortoise: The high reddish cliffs resemble an elderly person’s head lying down, known as “Old Man’s Alchemy,” where the Supreme Old Man is said to practice alchemy.
- Lingzhi Peak: Viewed from across the way, it looks like a gigantic head of Buddha or a naturally grown Lingzhi mushroom leaning against the cliff, both fascinating and magical.
- Lover’s Pillar: Two closely embraced red stone pillars stand over thirty meters high, looking especially enchanting under the setting sun, a scene that has attracted countless heroes and admirers.
- Danxia: Danxia, simply put, refers to red stones, a geological wonder formed by rocks devoid of vegetation that emerge in nature, creating a unique landscape.
Cultural Geography
Returning from Kenzhalu to Liming Street, ascend the hillside west of Liming Middle School. After about an hour of winding up a mountain path among the Danxia rock formations, you will arrive at a large area of exposed and weathered rocks resembling giant scales, known as Thousand Tortoises Mountain. The scale-like weathered rock layers create a unique landscape. You first see “Buddha Peak,” a giant upright mountain with spiral layers of weathered scales on top and a red bare cliff on the lower half. Viewed from across, it resembles a giant Buddha’s head, which is also why it is called “Lingzhi Peak.” You can easily climb to the peak by scaling the “giant scales,” and the photos taken by your friends from the opposite side are spectacular. To the east of “Buddha Peak,” the second sight is “Thousand Tortoises Racing.” This consists of a large slope of neatly arranged “giant scales,” each resembling a tortoise in motion. Upon closer inspection, you will find that the hundreds of stone tortoises on the slope also resemble a larger tortoise moving toward the rising sun. Because of this exquisite scenery, the area is named “Thousand Tortoises Mountain.” In winter, you can gaze southward from Thousand Tortoises Mountain and admire the snow-covered peaks of Laojun Mountain. The mountain also features sheer cliffs, isolated peaks, and breathtaking landscapes worth exploring.
Travel Information
- Best Time to Visit: In winter, you can see the snow-covered Laojun Mountain from Thousand Tortoises Mountain, which is also beautiful. In spring, beautiful rhododendrons bloom among the fiery red rocks.
- Food: The pickled radishes and peanut candy from the town are renowned local specialties.
- Accommodation: Use the Laojun Mountain Pasture as your base camp. There are no shops here, and the accommodation is very basic, so it’s best to bring your own sleeping bag. You can also enter the Liming scenic area for accommodation, which offers options like international youth hostels, the Normandy Hotel, and other lodges.
- Travel Route: Departing from the ancient town of Lijiang, head to Shigu Town at the first bend of the Yangtze River. After traveling 50 kilometers upstream, continue west along the Jinzhuang River for another 30 kilometers, reaching the eastern foothills of the middle section of Laojun Mountain, home to one of the few Danxia landform wonders in southwestern China.
Transportation Information
- There is a bus from Lijiang Passenger Station to Liming Thousand Tortoises Mountain every day at 12:00 PM. The ticket price is 39 yuan, with a travel time of about 3.5 hours. In the morning, there are buses leaving Liming, but none in the afternoon due to time constraints.
- Additionally, there are private minibuses at the Yulong County Hospital on Longshui Road in Lijiang going to Liming, priced at 30 yuan, but they usually do not return. If you plan to return the same day, be sure to confirm the return schedule.
- For chartered vehicles, the distance from Liming County to Shanglan is 81 kilometers, with a long-distance bus fare of 12 yuan per person. The cost of a chartered vehicle is around 200 yuan, typically accommodating 5 to 6 people, with lower prices for round trips. The distance from the county town to Shuanghe is about 30 kilometers, with similar minibus costs of around 50 yuan.
- Self-driving to Thousand Tortoises Mountain is also an option.
