A mountainside in central China’s Hubei Province has gained major attention after being dubbed Puppy Mountain due to its striking resemblance to a dog’s head. What began as a simple vacation photo has transformed this unique landscape into an internet sensation, attracting tourists from all over and creating a new, must-visit landmark.
How Puppy Mountain was discovered:
The viral story began when Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan posted a photo from his vacation to Yichang, his hometown, on Valentine’s Day. During a hike in Zigui County, Guo noticed something remarkable as he reviewed his pictures.
The mountainside next to the Yangtze River appeared to resemble a dog’s head, with its snout resting near the water’s edge. The posture of the mountain even seemed like the dog was drinking from the river, or possibly observing fish.
Guo shared his discovery on the Chinese social media platform RedNote, calling it “Puppy Mountain.” His post quickly gained traction, amassing 120,000 likes within just 10 days. The hashtag #xiaogoushan (meaning “Puppy Mountain” in Chinese) exploded in popularity, garnering millions of views across social media platforms like Weibo.
The allure of the adorable discovery:
"It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” Guo said. The mountain’s shape captivated dog and nature lovers from all over the world, who began posting pictures of their own dogs to see which one resembled the mountain the most.
Some even traveled to Yichang specifically to visit Puppy Mountain and capture photos of their dogs in front of the iconic landmark. Yang Yang, a local resident who drove with her 2-year-old grey poodle, Yang Keyi, to see the mountain, expressed her excitement.
“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.”
A new tourist attraction:
The mountain, which is visible from an observation deck in Yichang’s Zigui County, has become a popular tourist attraction. Located along the Yangtze River, China’s longest and the world’s third-longest river, the sight offers visitors a stunning view of both the natural landscape and the now-famous dog-shaped mountain.
Following Guo’s viral post, many people began to share photos they had taken of the area years before, with many revealing that they too had noticed the mountain's dog-like shape.
“After I saw the Puppy Mountain photo online, I tried to look up where it is. And then I realized that I have been to this place before,” said Yichang resident Shi Tong. “I thought it looked like a dog at that time too!”
“Puppy Mountain, here I am!” one excited social media user shared, with many posting similar photos and videos. The mountain’s new-found fame has made it a hot spot for both domestic and international visitors. Some even bring their dogs along, completing the adorable scene and taking part in the viral trend.