Puppy Mountain: A Viral Sensation in China
A simple vacation photo taken by Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan on Valentine’s Day has turned into an internet sensation, even creating a new tourist attraction in China.
A Magical Discovery
In late January, Guo was visiting his hometown of Yichang, Hubei province, when he went on a hike. Later, while reviewing his photos, he noticed something extraordinary—a mountain shaped like a dog’s head resting by the Yangtze River, its snout seemingly perched at the water’s edge.
“It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” Guo said.
He described the mountain as resembling a puppy drinking water or gazing at fish, adding that it also seemed to be peacefully guarding the river.
A Social Media Phenomenon
Guo shared the image on Xiaohongshu (RedNote), a Chinese social media platform, with the caption “Puppy Mountain.” The post quickly gained traction, receiving 120,000 likes in just 10 days. On Weibo, the hashtag #xiaogoushan (Chinese for “Puppy Mountain“) attracted millions of views.
The viral moment sparked an unexpected trend—dog owners began posting pictures of their own pets, comparing them to the mountain. Some travelers even made their way to Yichang to see “Puppy Mountain” in person, many bringing their dogs for photos.
“Puppy Mountain, here I am!” one user wrote on RedNote, posting photos of the mountain.
“Just stroke the puppy’s head, and everything will be okay.”
Another user commented:
“We all need the eyes to see the beauty in this world.”
A Visit to the Famous Mountain
Yang Yang, who lives about an hour and a half from Yichang, drove to the site with her 2-year-old grey poodle, Yang Keyi.
“I was really happy to see the mountain,” she said. “I always travel with my dog if possible, so Puppy Mountain and my own little dog really match.”
The mountain is located in Zigui County, Yichang, and is best viewed from an observation deck overlooking the Yangtze River—China’s longest and the world’s third-longest river.
A Hidden Beauty Rediscovered
Guo’s viral photo also led to an unexpected realization: locals had seen the mountain before but never noticed its resemblance to a dog. Many revisited old photos from the same observation deck, surprised to find that the “Puppy” had always been there.
Shi Tong, a Yichang resident, shared a photo he had taken in 2021, saying:
“After I saw the Puppy Mountain photo online, I tried to figure out where it was. Then I realized—I had been to this place before! I thought it looked like a dog back then too.”
A New Must-See Destination
What started as a simple photo has now made Puppy Mountain a beloved symbol of natural beauty and discovery. Thanks to social media, this once-overlooked rock formation has become a must-visit destination for tourists, dog lovers, and photography enthusiasts alike.
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