【Haichuan Chemical Industry Site】The Baiyan Mountain and Chijia Mountain in Kuimen – where Sichuanese cuisine spreads throughout the world
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When talking about the fact that \"Kuimen is the most magnificent in the world,\" one must mention those two gates that stand alongside the river, as if created by nature, and that serve as a barrier between the Chijia and Baiyan mountains in Kuizhou. On the north bank of the Qutang Gorge, to the east of Baidi City, nature has created a limestone mountain named Chijia Mountain, standing 1400 meters high. Its rocks are colored ochre red, and no trees grow on it; it resembles a person standing with his chest exposed and wearing armor, which is how the mountain got its name. The mountain resembles a bright red peach, which is why it is also known as “Peach Mountain”. It is also called the “Mountain of Flames.” On sunny days, when the bright sun shines upon it, the mountain peaks appear as if adorned in red colors, just as the ancient poems describe: “The bright sunlight reflects off them; armor is hung on the mountain slopes.” ““The Red Armor in the Clear Light” has always been one of the greatest scenic wonders of the Qutang Gorge. In fact, the formation of this scenic view is due to its unique geological and geographical factors. Over time, exposure to rainwater led to weathering, resulting in the formation of iron oxide that adhered to the rock surface, giving it an ochre-red color. The layers of rock stacked on top of each other, resembling armor plates, much like warriors clad in armor; hence the name “Red Armor Mountain”. Whenever the morning sun shines, the mountains turn red, appearing especially enchanting.
“Red armor and white salt reach the sky; houses surround it, connecting up to the mountain peaks. Standing on the south bank is Baiyan Mountain, which is 1,415 meters high. The limestone here is of relatively pure quality; the calcium carbonate dissolved by groundwater adheres to the weathered surface of the black rock layers, appearing white. Under sunlight, it emits a silver glow, which is why it is called Baiyan Mountain. Baiyan Mountain “resembles a towering mound of salt,” complementing Chijia Mountain; the contrast between red and white adds to its uniqueness. This is the famous “white salt dawn glow,” which adds another layer of splendid beauty to the Qutang Gorge. The peaks of Chijia and Baishian face each other across the river, only about a hundred meters apart. One is covered in red hues while the other is dressed in white, which not only adds to the majestic beauty of Kuimen but also gives rise to numerous natural and cultural attractions such as the Pink Wall, Shenglu Spring, and Yugong Cave, offering visitors a feast for their eyes.
The peaks of Chijia and Baishian face each other across the river, only about a hundred meters apart. One is covered in red hues while the other is dressed in white, which not only adds to the majestic beauty of Kuimen but also gives rise to numerous natural and cultural attractions such as the Pink Wall, Shenglu Spring, and Yugong Cave, offering visitors a feast for their eyes. The ancients spoke of gorges, and the majestic mountains and treacherous waters of Qutang Gorge are fully depicted in their writings. What Li Daoyuan described as “mountains on both sides connected together without any gaps, with layers of cliffs that obscure the sky and block out the sun; unless it is noon or midnight, one cannot see the sun or the moon” is an accurate portrayal of the mountains on both sides of the Qutang Gorge, including Chijia Mountain and Baiyan Mountain. Lu You’s “Record of Entering Shu” also states: “Upon entering Qutang Gorge, the two cliffs rise steeply on either side, reaching up into the heavens; their surfaces are as smooth as if carved by hand.” Looking up at the sky, it is like a ribbon. “In terms of the water conditions, it is described as “The waters of Qutang are rushing like strings pulled taut; the current flows backward, threatening to turn the boats around.” “In the high rivers and steep gorges, thunder and lightning clash violently; the green trees and vines obscure the light of the sun and moon.” The sound is like the roar of lions and the crackling of thunder, extremely loud and dazzling. It is precisely these majestic mountains and treacherous waters that have given rise to the saying that “Qutang is more perilous than a hundred Bao Passes.”
When you enter Qutang Gorge and look at the mountains and the water, you are bound to feel as though you’re in communion with the ancient people: everywhere you look there are mountains, with steep slopes and cliffs that stand opposite each other. Looking up, one sees only a stretch of sky, with mountains on either side; clouds swirl around, leaving only the sharp, knife-like peaks of the mountains in sight. Under the pressure and encirclement of the cliff walls, the boat seemed to be falling downward inch by inch, while the roaring waves tried hard to lift it upward, as if trying to push it over the top of the cliffs and into the heavens. In such a scene, it seemed that one could reach the sky with just a stretch of the hand, yet stepping down would cause one to sink into the abyss. He Mingli, a poet from the Qing dynasty, described his feelings in these words: A narrow path leads through Kuimen; strange rocks jut out into the flowing water. The peaks reach up to the heavens, while boats move along underground passages. Source: The Great Series on Chinese Yangtze River Culture
In Liu Yuxi’s poem “Nine Songs on Bamboo Branches,” one of which mentions “White Salt Mountain”: Spring grass grows on the rooftops of Baidi City, while the waters of the Shu River flow clear beneath White Salt Mountain. The man from the south comes and sings a song; let those from the north not let their homesickness arise.
Fan Chengda of the Song dynasty wrote about the scenery of the Three Gorges in his work \"Kuizhou Bamboo Branch Poems\": Red armor, white salt, and lush greenery; homes nestled halfway up the mountains, surrounded by plants and wind； Pomegranate flowers cover the mountains like flames; lychees refuse to turn red in the cool weather.
Tao Mengkai of the Yuan dynasty began his poem \"Bamboo Branch Songs\" with the line \"White Salt Mountain.\" The waters flow swiftly at White Salt Mountain, and the maple leaves are sparse near Baidi City. The song of the bamboo flute fades without anyone in sight; on the mountain peak, the moon sets as partridges fly away.