Gongyi Butterfly Valley - Small Loop Hike.
Butterfly Valley is home to historical and cultural relics such as ancient buildings, stone tablets, and cliff carvings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. During the hike, you can occasionally see the ruins of the Dragon King Temple from the Daoguang period and the pure bluestone Catholic Church from the Republic of China period.
These ancient sites bear the marks of time, adding a rich historical and cultural atmosphere to the hiking journey, allowing people to appreciate the natural beauty while also feeling the accumulation of history.
As for why it is called Butterfly Valley, there is no exact answer, but there are two local legends:
1. There was originally a large stone on this mountain with four butterfly patterns on it, and the mountain was named after that stone. Unfortunately, the stone was stolen.
2. Butterflies often gather and dance on this mountain in summer, so it was named Butterfly Valley.
3. The Xiaolong Pool on the route is located in the hinterland of Fuxi Mountain, also known as "Pearl Pool" and "Lan Spring." There is an interesting legend about the origin of the name "Xiaolong Pool":
Legend has it that when the Jade Immortal Mother came to Gongyi to cultivate, there were two small dragons, one black and one white, in front of her. They both took a fancy to the pool water and fought over it. At first, the little black dragon occupied the place, but it did many evil deeds, and the people hated it. Later, the little white dragon took back the pool water with the help of the people, and the locals called it "Xiaolong Pool."
On the winding mountain road in Gongyi, there is a "Fujiwara Tofu Shop" (actually a milk tea shop~). I guess it's because the winding mountain road here is comparable to Akina Mountain in "Initial D," so the owner built an almost identical shop here.