Also known as Matou Mountain (Horse Head Mountain), Zhu'an Stockade sits in the northeastern part of Guanzhai Mountain. During the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, three stockade gates and dozens of houses were built here. Today, nothing remains except the gate foundations, with the rest reduced to ruins.
The natural scenery of Zhu'an Stockade is celebrated for three outstanding features: perilous cliffs, exotic rock formations and magnificent mountain views, known as the Three Wonders of the scenic area. Thick brambles and thorny vines block the outer trails, clinging to visitors’ clothes and preserving a primitive wilderness atmosphere. Near the core zone, pine trees and bamboo grow thickly, and the mountain slopes grow steeper. Moss, ferns and lichens cover rock crevices, stream banks and valley bottoms, forming a perfect complement to the jagged peaks.
If you start the tour from the back mountain, you can visit the scenic spots in the following order:
Matou Mountain
To the northeast of Zhu'an Stockade stands a towering cliff. Its top is concave in the middle and upturned on both sides, shaped just like a horse saddle. A triangular boulder juts out at the front, resembling a horse’s neck reaching toward the sky. The whole formation looks like a galloping steed, only missing its head.
Local folklore tells the tale of the God of Thunder striking the horse’s head off in anger.
High and Low Stockade Rocks
Standing beneath Matou Mountain and looking southwest, you will see two round flat-topped rock crags, one tall and one short. On their west side, a huge cliff looks exactly like an elderly woman’s head. The figure appears to carry a bamboo basket on her back while glancing backward. This vivid scene evokes the arduous journey of the Hakka migrants who trekked far from their homeland yet clung to memories of their hometown. Hence this group of rocks is also named Looking Back toward the Central Plains.
Lovers’ Rocks and Mother Elephant with Calf
Entering through the mountain gate, you will spot two massive vertical rocks separated by a narrow crack. They look like an affectionate couple deeply in love, so people call them the Lovers’ Rocks.
Take a few steps sideways, and the pair together with the peak behind them transform into the silhouette of a mother elephant trudging forward with her baby on her back.
Giant Python Swallowing a River Snail and Divine Frog Gazing into a Mirror
On the hillside beside Yunxian Nunnery lies a black rock patterned like a river snail. Not far away, another boulder hangs halfway down the slope, shaped like a python opening its jaws to swallow the snail.
At the foot of the slope rises a natural stone tablet several meters high, resembling a vertical mirror. When viewed from below, the python’s head turns into a frog’s head, earning this site the name Divine Frog Gazing into a Mirror.
Maiden Valley
Cross the fenced perilous path down to the canyon bottom, where a clear mountain stream converges into a pool known as Maiden Valley. In the stockade-building era, wives and daughters came here to wash clothes and deliver meals to the laborers constructing the fortifications.
Skyscraper Peak
Beyond Maiden Valley, 365 stone steps are chiseled along the precipitous mountain ridge leading straight up to Skyscraper Peak. Viewed from the valley, the peak pierces the clouds and seems to rival the height of heaven itself.
Sheer cliffs and deep gorges flank the stairway, but iron chain railings ensure safety despite the intimidating drop. One section is called the Hundred-Step Echo Stairway: stamping one’s feet here brings out a hollow booming sound, so it is also nicknamed the Drum Rock.
At the summit stands a stockade gate with thick stone walls and broken battlements. Preserved embrasures for observation and archery make the structure extremely sturdy.
Cat Carrying Heavenly Pond
Climb onto the mountain ridge, and you will see three hilltops called Big Cat, Second Cat and Third Cat to the south. On the peak of Second Cat Mountain, a stone basin was hewn out to collect rainwater, forming a heavenly pond that never dries up all year round.
God of Longevity Rock and Eagle Spreading Wings
Northeast of Zhu'an Stockade stands an enormous naturally formed rock masterpiece, hailed as unparalleled under heaven. Every detail of eyes, nose, eyebrows and whiskers is vividly carved, with deep wrinkles etched across its weathered forehead. The benevolent face embodies a wise elder blessed with longevity and good fortune.
To its south rises another mountain shaped like a mountain eagle just about to soar into the sky, known as Eagle Spreading Wings.
Ancient House Ruins
Passing through the front gate of Zhu'an Stockade, you arrive at a gentle mountain hollow. Dozens of residential buildings erected in the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty were burned down in wars, leaving only fragmented walls and foundations today.
Water Gate Wall
A narrow gorge sits right before the stockade trench. Mountain brooks flow along the base of sheer rocky precipices, forming the Water Gate.
This solid natural rock wall stretches more than 200 meters long and over 70 meters high, with a top width of roughly 8 meters, presenting an imposing sight. The Water Gate Wall is also known today as the Heavenly Wall
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