Hongshi Gorge is a representative canyon in China, boasting both natural wonders and cultural history. Located primarily in Yulin, Shaanxi, and Jiaozuo, Henan, Hongshi Gorge boasts distinct features:
1. Hongshi Gorge in Yulin, Shaanxi
Geography and History
Located 3 kilometers north of Yulin City, the gorge is 350 meters long and composed of red sandstone. It was formed during the early Northern Song Dynasty when Li Jiqian, King of Western Xia, dug a mountain to divert water. 12 It became a military fortress during the Ming Dynasty. Yu Zijun, Governor of Yansui, once used rising waters to suppress bandits and dug a canal to divert the water, establishing the canyon's structure. 13
Landscape Features
Natural Features: Towering red cliffs line the gorge. The Yuxi River flows through the gorge, creating a natural lake and waterfall. At sunset, the "Red Mountain Sunset" creates a spectacular scene, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yulin. 12
Cultural Relics: Over 160 cliff carvings are distributed on the east and west cliff faces, covering seal script, official script, regular script, running script, cursive script, and Mongolian script. Zuo Zongtang's "Return My Homeland" and Du Bincheng's "Turning the Tide" are particularly famous, earning the title "Forest of Steles on the Frontier." 23 In addition, 33 Ming Dynasty grottoes remain. Although some were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, the remains of cliff-side buildings such as the Main Hall and the Holy Mother Hall can still be seen. 23