Traveling northeast from Deerforage Grove for tens of miles, past Deer Pond, and another four or five miles, o…
Traveling northeast from Deerforage Grove for tens of miles, past Deer Pond, and another four or five miles, one reaches the border of Qinghe and Kaifeng. Here, a narrow path hugs the mountain wall and winds upward, hiding a pavilion in the hills called the Palace of Annals. Legend has it that this was once a summer resort for nobles of the previous dynasty, but since the dynastic change, it has lain in ruins ever since.
Following the stone steps, the mountains reveal their bony rock faces, embracing emerald valleys. A waterfall cascades down from above, gathering into a pool below—every view is a feast for the eyes. Upturned eaves peek through the trees, and though long unrepaired, most structures remain intact.
At the pavilion gate, a burly guard blocked the way, claiming the path was closed. As we turned back, a faint clinking of metal and stone echoed from behind the waterfall—strange indeed.