In late January, Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan took a hike in his hometown of Yichang, located in Hubei province, central China. During his trip, he snapped some photos of the scenic views, including one of a mountain near the Yangtze River. Upon reviewing the images, Guo noticed something unique and surprising – the mountain appeared to be shaped like a dog’s head, with its snout resting at the river’s edge. He was excited by the discovery, calling it “magical and cute.”
Guo’s Viral Social Media Post
Guo shared the photo on Xiaohongshu, a popular Chinese social media platform, captioning it “Puppy Mountain.” The post quickly gained traction, receiving 120,000 likes within just 10 days. On another platform, Weibo, the hashtag #xiaogoushan (meaning “Puppy Mountain” in Chinese) went viral, attracting millions of views. The mountain’s resemblance to a dog sparked a wide range of reactions, including comparisons with real dogs, and led to people visiting the location in Yichang to witness the phenomenon firsthand.
As the post gained popularity, many dog owners shared pictures of their pets on social media to see if they resembled the “Puppy Mountain.” Some even traveled to Yichang to see the mountain in person, with many bringing their dogs along for the trip. Social media users expressed their excitement, with one person commenting that by “stroking the puppy’s head, everything would be okay.” The posts highlighted how people were drawn to the delightful resemblance and natural beauty of the location.
Personal Encounters with Puppy Mountain
Yang Yang, a resident about an hour and a half away from Yichang, traveled to the site with her friends and her 2-year-old grey poodle, Yang Keyi. She expressed her joy in seeing the mountain and noted that she always travels with her dog, making the experience even more meaningful. Many other visitors shared similar sentiments, bringing their own pets to the location and capturing photos that showcased both the “puppy” mountain and their dogs together.
Puppy Mountain is situated in Yichang’s Zigui County, with an observation deck providing a perfect view of the mountain’s unique shape. The location offers scenic views of the Yangtze River, one of the longest rivers in the world. After Guo’s photo went viral, many people revisited the spot to capture images of the mountain from the same viewpoint. Some expressed surprise at the dog-like shape, while others discussed how the mountain’s appearance might have evolved over time, adding a layer of intrigue to the discovery.