Hong Shi Xia

Hong Shi Xia, located approx. 5 km north of Yulin city, is situated in the Yuxi river valley at the foot of Hongshan mountain near the Ming Great Wall pass. Locally known as “Xiong Shi Xia”, it derives its name from the red rocks covering the mountains. The canyon features stunning landscapes with peculiar rock formations, clear waters, and numerous ancient caves and temples.The cliffside inscriptions at Hong Shi Xia attraction are divided into eastern and western sections, mostly dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. While not extremely ancient, they include many famous calligraphic works. On the eastern cliff of Hong Shi Xia, there are over 80 inscriptions, predominantly carved during the Guangxu era of the Qing dynasty, with notable examples being Zuo Zongtang’s “Yu Xi scenic spot” and Ma Zhanshan’s “Return our rivers and mountains”. The western cliff features approx. 30 inscriptions, including some unique combinations of intaglio and relief carving techniques, along with a Mongolian inscription “Heaven-made majestic beauty” that’s worth seeing.The earliest relics in the Hong Shi Xia attraction are the temples and grottoes from the Song and Yuan dynasties, but now, apart from some painted murals and carvings in certain caves, the rest no longer exist. Among the existing grottoes, the fourth and sixth caves are still worth a visit. The carvings on the ceilings of the fourth and sixth caves are well-preserved, and the patterns in the sixth cave symbolize the unity of Mongol and Han cultures. If you visit the grottoes in summer, you’ll feel pleasantly cool. Visitors can also walk from here to the Tianmen gate at the cliff top and the Dimen gate leading to the waterside in the canyon.Hong Shi Xia served as a filming location for the movie “Ashes of time”. The attraction is best visited at dusk when the canyon takes on a poetic ambiance under the glow of sunset. Visitors can descend from the west cliff to the canyon floor where the Yuxi river flows, adding a touch of Jiangnan’s elegance to this northwestern frontier. During summer, you can enjoy playing in the water along the riverside beaches.