When Shanghai designer Guo Qingshan shared a Puppy Mountain photo on Valentine’s Day, he unknowingly sparked a nationwide phenomenon. The image, captured near Yichang’s Yangtze River, reveals a cliff resembling a dog drinking water – complete with a snout touching the riverbank.
It was magical, Guo told reporters.
The puppy’s posture looks protective of the Yangtze River. I knew others would love it too.His post garnered 120,000 likes on Xiaohongshu within days, while Weibo’s #xiaogoushan hashtag reached millions.
The viral moment created immediate tourism growth in Hubei province. Visitors now:
- Compare their pets to the mountain’s silhouette
- Photograph dogs at the riverside observation deck
- Share before-and-aftershots showing geological changes
Yichang resident Yang Yang visited with her poodle, telling us: Traveling with my dog to see Puppy Mountain felt symbolic. The Yangtze River’s beauty combined with this quirky formation creates pure joy.
Geologists note the formation in Zigui County resulted from centuries of erosion. However, social media users debate its evolving appearance. Shi Tong shared a 2021 photo proving:
The ‘dog’ shape existed before Guo’s post – we just needed fresh eyes to see it.
Local businesses report increased foot traffic near the viewpoint. As one RedNote user wrote: Petting the puppy’s stone head feels like receiving nature’s blessing. With 63% of Chinese travelers prioritizing Instagrammable locations, experts predict Yangtze River tourism will keep growing through such discoveries.
