This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
Blue waters reflect colorful clouds, / Rain clears and sky brightens, / Layered forests drip emerald, washed even clearer. / The setting sun's afterglow, homing pheasants perch in ancient trees, / Half veiling the river city.
The evening glow brightens half the mountain, / Ten thousand strands of red tassels, / The fine steed refuses to be bound by reins. / Standing on the peak gazing at the jade universe, / Its spirit welcomes the guests.
Ma'an Mountain, the southwestern barrier of the ancient town of Lucheng, is about 2.15 kilometers long, undulating and precipitous, with layered green peaks, skirted by shrubs, its mountain color dark blue-green, vividly like a saddled steed galloping straight toward the great river. The main peak is 102 meters above sea level, facing Yanglin Mountain of Jianli County, Hubei, across the river, forming a natural chasm of the Yangtze.
According to the old drum-ballad 'The Red Hare Dies for Its Master': The famous Shu general Guan Yunchang was defeated at Jingzhou and met his end. His mount, the Red Hare, deeply attached to its master, neighed mournfully all day and would not eat. It then trembled, bit and kicked wildly, and no one dared approach. One day it bit through its reins and galloped like lightning to the riverbank, leaping into the raging whirlpool to die with its master. The carved saddle on its back fell by the river and turned into Ma'an Mountain. Ma'an Mountain has stood at the river's head for hundreds and thousands of years. Facing the river that rolls eastward day and night, it longs for its own master just as the Red Hare longed for its former master—the Red Hare.
At the foot of Ma'an Mountain is the rushing river; by the river is the far-famed Widow's Rock, a port and wharf for drawing water and unloading oil. On the mountain are an observation post and a dispatch platform; behind the mountain is the Shawu Oil Port, a key oil port of the Changling Refinery. Here warehouses stretch in rows, tall buildings stand in clusters, pipelines weave like fabric, chimney towers rise high, machinery rumbles, colored flags fly high, and traffic flows endlessly. Ancient civilization and modern science intermingle; under the setting sun, the mountain reflects the water, the water reflects the mountain, both shining brilliantly. Whenever the setting sun hangs on the saddle, splashing gold and color, flocks of birds return to their nests, purple light floats on crow's backs, changing in an instant, with myriad appearances. Contemplating the past and judging the present, lingering in awe—no wonder Emperor Jiayou back then also lingered here, reluctant to leave.
