Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing Liangping District has risen to prominence thanks to its status as an international wetland city based on Shuanggui Lake, rapid development in the pre-made food industry, and fine rural tourism in the Baili Bamboo Forest Scenic Area. However, the now 4A-rated attraction known as Huashi Fortress is yet another fascinating landmark worthy of exploration, and which, following an impressive renovation carried out around a decade ago, has brought to life a historical era dating back to 1242 AC.

Huashi Fortress was initially built in the 13th century to defend against the Mongol armies but has now been transformed into a 4A tourist scenic area in modern-day Liangping District (Photo/James Alexander)

The name Huashi Fortress means “slippery stone.” It sits majestically 672 meters above sea level upon a rugged mountain plateau overlooking vast plains towards the west and towards imposing ridges on the opposite face. Once visitors have scaled the roughly 2000 steps leading diagonally up the slopes, they enter through a fortress gate opening into the walled inner section, where they can explore renovated structures, including the former watchtower, munitions hall, living quarters, and viewing corridors.

The original construction of this historical site traces back to the year 1242 under the reign of Song Dynasty Emperor Chun You, when it was built as part of a network of fortresses in defense against the Mongol armies, who retreated following military defeat at Diaoyu Fortress in modern-day Hechuan District, during which the Mongol emperor Mongke Khan was fatally injured in battle. Nowadays, the ruins of many such fortresses can still be found in modern-day Liangping District, while other comparable attractions open to the public include the Baidi City of Fengjie and Tiansheng City in Wanzhou.

Two thousand steps lead up to the Huashi “Slippery Stone” fortress, 672 meters above sea level. During the climb, there are many points of interest where visitors can take a rest (Photo/Zhao Guogan)

Around 240 years ago, the first resident village master under the family name Liu gifted the fortress to the Yuan clan as a dowry for his daughter’s marriage. Later, in 1797, during the second year of Emperor Jia Qing, the fortress underwent an expansion and held out against a rebellion known as the White Lotus Society, a time from which the outermost city gate remains. More recently, in the first half of the twentieth century, the fortress became a protective stronghold in the face of rampant local banditry.

Step through history on a fun tour

Following extensive restoration work, the fortress was awarded the status of a 4A tourist attraction in 2017 and is now open to the public every day, including national holidays. Although the climb from the entrance is relatively steep, the handrails and numerous rest points mean it doesn’t pose a serious physical challenge for most tourists, and the ascent generally takes around twenty to thirty minutes.

The climb also takes in multiple points of interest, including parts of the original fortress walls, pools, and wells once used for packing horses and drinking water. On the lower slopes, visitors may notice their steps produce a hollow and metallic sound due to geological factors under their feet. Furthermore, there is a fun ritual held around the halfway point, where tourists sip wine from a ceramic bowl before smashing it against the stone. This symbolizes how guests are invited to cast their troubles aside and enjoy their visit.

The fortress stands upon a rugged plateau inside the ancient walls, where visitors can explore the rich history through a watchtower, munitions hall, and former living quarters (Photo/Zhao Guogan)

Once through the inner city gate, there are many features to explore, including the main living quarters, with intricately carved traditional beds in each side room. In the courtyard outside, visitors can watch and even try their hand at drum routines performed by dressed-up fortress guards. Elsewhere, the former munitions hall is now a small museum featuring historical implements like weapons and oil lamps, while the watchtower gives a lingering sense of the perils this site once faced. 

After touring the fortress, there are numerous recreational experiences towards ground level beyond the exit. These include an 888-metre-long zip line, a 5D glass walk bridge, a forest adventure course, and a water park open during the summer months. Meanwhile, there are ever more country guesthouses in the local area situated only 9 kilometers from Liangping City, making the attraction feasible for day visits or even part of an overnight stay.