Dalian Mountain — Seven Gates Scenic Area

The scenic area is situated in Sandu Town, northeast of the Tonggushi Scenic Area, 10 kilometres away from Tonggu County seat. It is a tourist destination featuring mountain adventure tours and Buddhist cultural sightseeing.

Dalian Mountain is famous for Buddhist culture and Mazu Daoyi heritage, while Seven Gates is renowned for Danxia landforms and ancient battlefield ruins. Key attractions include Mazu Crag, Fushou Temple, the Tomb of Mazu Daoyi, ancient maple trees, Seven Gates and Sail Rock.

Dalian Mountain gets its name from the layered surrounding peaks, which resemble the lotus throne of Goddess Guanyin. According to historical records, from 769 to 773 AD, Mazu Daoyi, a renowned Buddhist master known as one of the Eight Patriarchs of the Southern Buddhism, lived and meditated here for four years.

Towards the end of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, Master Yanzhoufang founded Fushou Temple on this site. The temple boasted timber-and-earth Buddha halls and Buddha statues, ranking first in scale across the whole county.

Seven Gates connects directly with Dalian Mountain. The area is covered with rolling mountains, steep slopes and jagged cliffs. The towering Danxia rock formations make this an extremely strategic stronghold. It has been a military fortress since ancient times. Local villagers once defended against foreign invaders by relying on these seven mountain passes.

Historical documents record that Shi Dakai’s troops of the Taiping Rebellion fought battles here, leaving numerous well-preserved relics of the ancient battlefield.

Major sights: Mazu Crag, the tomb pagoda of Master Yanzhoufang, Motian Ridge, beacon tower, military training ground, Twin Pillar Peaks, Front Stockade and Sail Rock