Stone walls
On the cliff edge.
Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0 · AmbroseLim — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 天王星 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0 · jason_she — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0 · 天王星 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0
A fortress on Diaoyu Mountain above the Jialing River in Hechuan District that held out against the Mongol armies in the late Song dynasty for thirty-six years, from 1243 to 1279, through hundreds of clashes, becoming a symbol of endurance in Chinese history. It has a striking link to the history of the Arab world: in 1259 the Great Khan Möngke led its siege himself and died during it, so Mongol armies on several fronts pulled back to choose a new khan, among them Hulagu's army in Syria; only part of it stayed behind, and the Mamluks defeated it at Ain Jalut in 1260. Visitors walk among the remains of the stone walls and gates on the cliff edges, see the «fishing platform» rock that gave the mountain its name, and look out from the heights over the meeting of three rivers at Hechuan. Tickets cost CNY 60, half price for students, and it is open from 8.30 am to 5 pm, per visitor guides.
On the cliff edge.
The rock behind the name.
At Hechuan.
Diaoyu Mountain, Hechuan District, about 60 km north of central Chongqing
The Great Khan Möngke died during the fortress siege in 1259, so most of Hulagu's army left Syria to take part in choosing his successor, and the Mamluks met and defeated what remained at Ain Jalut in 1260.
By train or bus to Hechuan in about an hour, then a short taxi ride to the mountain; the site takes half a day.