Reflections from Golden Rooster Ridge: Huilin Qiu of Slkor on Nature and Inspiration
On the afternoon of February 12, 2026—the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month—I set out on a memorable family trip to Golden Rooster Ridge with my wife, children, nephews, and nieces. In Pingshi Town, northern Guangdong, a striking mountain rises beside the Wu River, shaped like a rooster lifting its head to crow. This is Golden Rooster Ridge. Each layer of red sandstone feels like a masterpiece sculpted by nature over billions of years, while the winding stone steps, intricate carvings, and stories hidden within the mountain reflect the resilience and wisdom of people who have lived in harmony with nature for generations. I. Nature's Uncanny Workmanship Commands Awe Hundreds of millions of years ago, the land where Golden Rooster Ridge now rises was once a vast ocean. Layers of sand, gravel, and silt settled quietly on the seabed, gradually solidifying into striking red rock formations. As the earth’s crust uplifted, these layers were exposed to the surface. Over countless mille...