The natural relics of Lianghekou Town in Tongjiang County mainly include: sea dike sinkhole, Lion and Elephant Water Mouth, Monkey Rock Canyon, Yandun Fort and Huangniuchi.
1. Sea dike pit
Located in Muniucao Village, at the boundary with Longtouzhai Village, it borders Kongshan to the west, with an altitude of 950 meters. This pit is oriented north-south and oval-shaped, measuring about 2,000 meters from north to south, approximately 1,500 meters from east to west, and about 80 meters deep. The bottom is flat, covering nearly 100 acres. It fills with water during heavy rain and drains on sunny days. More than ten households live scattered around the mountain, hence its name “Heavenly Pit,” making it one of the high-altitude pits in Sichuan.
2. The lion and the elephant hold the water outlet
Located in Yangjia River of the Monkey Gorge Scenic Area, the mountain range winds and stretches continuously, with a river width of 150 meters and a gentle flow that meanders through the landscape, creating a magnificent karst canyon scenery. When the crust rapidly uplifted locally, the river cut down quickly, making the canyon walls towering and steep, forming unique geological landscapes. On the east side of the river, “Elephant Mountain” from Yongle Town, Shaanxi Province, extends its long nose into the river, while “Lion Mountain” from Lianghekou Town, Sichuan Province, stands opposite it, creating a “Taiji Locking the Yellow Dragon” formation. This area is also known as “Swan Playing in the Water.” It resembles a swan dipping its head into the water to drink, forming a Taiji pattern on the river surface, which is both peculiar and spectacular. The river flows slowly, with green mountains and lush vegetation surrounding it, and mist and clouds always enveloping the area, making it the best place to watch sunrises and sea of clouds. The empty mountain water roars out, with lions and elephants blocking the way, winding its course, known as “Lions and Elephants Guarding the Water Mouth.” As the saying goes: “On clear days, the sky is full of clouds; on rainy days, the mountains are shrouded in fog. When rain comes, water spreads everywhere; when it stops, there’s no slippery path, and fields on flatlands don’t need to be cultivated, as water flows away on its own. Lions and elephants guarding the water mouth, can’t be stopped no matter how hard you try.”
3.Monkey Rock Canyon
Located within the territory of Kongshan Town, visitors can enjoy this scenic view from the Tumencao Village Land Platform in Lianghekou Town. The valley stretches about 10 kilometers long, with widths ranging from 20 to 50 meters and heights from 50 to 100 meters, presenting a picturesque landscape. At the bottom of the valley, the river is clear and flows gently. Cliffs stand on both sides, caves face the abyss, and waterfalls hang in mid-air. Dense evergreen broad-leaved forests line the banks, creating a deep and mysterious environment. Monkeys leap over sheer cliffs, bears howl in deep ravines, and eagles soar through narrow spaces, offering a breathtakingly beautiful experience. Notable attractions within the valley include Qilong Cave Waterfall and Red Army Cave.
4. Yandun Fort
The locals commonly refer to it as Yanchongbao or Yanzhai Bao, a small hill on the right side of Mengbatang, standing 100 meters tall with a conical shape. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, a checkpoint and inspection office were set up at Mengbatang, and a watchtower was built on this hill, about 13 meters wide and 3 meters high. Firewood was placed on the platform; if an emergency arose, smoke would be raised during the day and fire at night to signal the alarm, indicating that the camps above and below should provide timely assistance. Due to its elevated position and broad view, the Red Army established an observation post on this hill upon arrival. It is said that Xu Xiangqian, the commander-in-chief of the Fourth Red Army, once came here to survey the terrain. Although the platform has been destroyed, its name still lingers, attached here to remind us of those times.
5. Huangniuchi
Also known as “Yellow Mud Pool,” it is located in the northern part of the base camp, in Longtouzhai Village, situated in a depression among Jiaowozi, Hedaiping, Haitangba, and Malinwan. The pool forms due to the spring water rising, covering an area of about 330 square meters and reaching a depth of approximately 7 meters. It remains full year-round with uneven water levels and can flow out. Due to its high altitude, it is cold in winter, with ice up to about 33 centimeters thick. However, the water where the spring rises does not freeze, instead producing steam that creates a mist that drifts around. The pool is surrounded by stone mountains on the east, south, and west sides, stretching about 100 meters long and about 50 meters high, resembling a large yellow ox lying down. The water color is slightly yellow, hence the name “Yellow Ox Pool.”