Located in the southeast of Huitong County, spanning the border of Saxi Township and Ruoshui Town, Jiudong Scenic Area covers a vast area of about 10 square kilometers and lies about 25 kilometers from the county seat, and with convenient transportation. It borders such scenic spots as Gaoyi Ancient Village and Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town, giving it an evident locational advantage for tourism.

The area is named after nine natural ponds of various shapes, which are respectively called Threshold Cave, Foot Basin Cave, Oil Jar Cave, Golden Rooster Cave, Pig Trough Cave, Bamboo Mat Cave, Water Buffalo Cave, Cattle Herding Cave and Sedan Chair Cave. The landscape is truly extraordinary. Viewed from above, the scene resembles a white ribbon adorned with nine glittering emerald pearls; viewed from below, one sees waterfalls hanging in midair with waves splashing, as if a thousand horses were galloping. The area is typical of sedimentary rock structures, dotted with over a dozen elegant peaks of varied shapes and a deep valley as high as over 100 meters, all of which have been gradually formed through long-term wind erosion. Entering the area, one finds precipitous cliffs and cascading waterfalls everywhere, giving a feeling that "the scenery is unrivaled under heaven, yet hidden like a maiden in her boudoir." A clear stream runs through the mountains, linking the major scenic spots and winding for several kilometers, with crystal-clear water and abundant flow all year round. The great drop of the stream has shaped several waterfalls of distinct styles. The nine natural and intriguing caves, carved out by the water currents, blend harmoniously with the mountains and waters, complementing each other in delightful contrast.

The scenic area is home to lush forests, with a forest coverage rate as high as 98 percent, and the landscape stays green throughout the four seasons. With rich biodiversity, the area teems with a wide variety of species. It shelters more than ten kinds of rare tree species under national-level protection, as well as several wild animals under second- and third-class national protection, which endows the area with notable scientific research and tourism value. Species such as the giant salamander, commonly known as the “baby fish”, and the brown-tailed pheasant can be found in the streams and among the woods.

(Translated by Yang Hong)