Gui Peak: Explore Jiangxi’s Danxia Red Rock Wonder
Introduction
When morning light slips through mist and 36 rust-red peaks awaken across Yiyang County’s waters and hills, Gui Peak unveils a Danxia landscape praised by the famous traveler Xu Xiake as one of the “Three Wonders of Jiangyou.” Turtle-shaped stones, the glassy Qingshui Lake, and weathered Tang-dynasty grottoes blend geology and history into a living, vertical panorama.
1. World geological wonder: Decoding the “no-rock-without-a-turtle” Danxia code
The soul of Gui Peak is its textbook-quality Danxia landform. Twenty-eight million years of weathering and folding produced a globally rare cluster of turtle-shaped rock forests. Zhanqi Peak rises like a giant turtle lifting its head, Old Man Peak gazes like a sage, and from Camel Peak you can see hundreds of rust-red pillars drifting in mist—as if ancient turtles swim through cloud seas.
Best viewing is after rain when sunlight refracts from iron oxides on cliff faces into brilliant ochre that contrasts sharply with surrounding green woods. After fresh snow in winter, the red cliffs dusted with white create a striking “red-clad, snow-wrapped” spectacle.
2. Millennia of cultural layers: From Tang grottoes to Xu Xiake’s footsteps
Gui Peak is not only geological drama but also a cultural fossil. Nanyan Temple grottoes, carved in the Tang dynasty, host 42 Buddha niches embedded in Danxia cliffs; despite centuries of weathering, the preaching Shakyamuni statues remain legible. Study the flowing robe lines to sense the grandeur of Tang Buddhist sculpture.
Ming-era travel writer Xu Xiake lingered here for three days and recorded the thrill of climbing the “One-Line-Sky” narrow path. The park preserves over 20 cliff inscriptions; a Ming calligrapher’s inscription of bears powerful strokes like layered mountains—now a must-see for literary and history-minded visitors.
3. Immersive experience guide: Hiking, lake boating, and moments of Zen
Highlights one-day route
Morning: Electric shuttle to Suochun Cave → Hike the Camel Peak loop (about 2 hours; passes Turtle-Back Stone and Golden Bell Peak)
Afternoon: Boat on Qingshui Lake (see the natural reclining Buddha reflection) → Visit Nanyan Temple for worship → Climb Zhanqi Peak for sunset
Deep-dive suggestions
– Photographers: Capture the “double-turtle at sunrise” reflection on Qingshui Lake at dawn.
– Cultural travelers: Book a grotto-conservation expert for an interpretive talk on Buddhist iconography.
– Families: Join a geology education session and examine Danxia mineral crystals under microscopes.
4. Practical information: Transport, tickets, and handy tips
How to get there:
– High-speed rail to Shangrao Station, then take the scenic area’s shuttle bus (about 1 hour).
– Drive: navigate to “Gui Peak Scenic Area”; exit Yiyang on the Hangchang Expressway (parking fee 10 RMB/day).
Tickets and services:
– Peak season (Mar–Nov): 160 RMB per person, includes the sightseeing shuttle.
– English electronic guide rental: 30 RMB per device.
– Gui Peak Town at the entrance offers local snacks such as Yiyang rice cake and Danxia honey tangerines.
Avoiding crowds:
July–August and National Day week are busiest. Visit in April–May (azalea bloom) or September (clear autumn weather); weekdays Wednesday–Friday see the fewest visitors. Arrive at opening (7:00 AM) to enjoy the misty peak forest in near solitude.
Special notes:
– The Camel Peak ascent includes nearly 60° steep steps—elderly visitors and young children should consider the Qingshui Lake boat route instead.
– During Buddhist festivals, Nanyan Temple offers vegetarian meals (reserve one day in advance).
Conclusion: A geological pilgrimage through time
Gui Peak writes the planet’s rings in red strata and preserves a thousand-year Buddhist calm in its grottoes. Every step here is a conversation with natural wonder, every glance a fragment of history. Stand beneath Old Man Peak and you’ll understand why ancients called this place a “Danxia scripture fallen from creation.” Pack your bags—the visual and spiritual resonance of northeastern Jiangxi awaits your discovery.
