Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan never expected his vacation photo to go viral. However, when he posted a picture from his hike in Yichang, Hubei province, on Valentine’s Day, it quickly grabbed attention. He captioned it “Puppy Mountain,” and soon, the location became a tourist attraction.

A Surprising Discovery

In late January, Guo went hiking near the Yangtze River while visiting his hometown. Later, as he reviewed his photos, he noticed something unusual. A mountain in the background closely resembled a dog’s head, with its snout resting at the river’s edge.

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Excited by his discovery, he shared his thoughts. “It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” he said.

Social Media Frenzy

Soon after, Guo’s post on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media platform, gained massive attention. Within just 10 days, it had received 120,000 likes. Meanwhile, on Weibo, the hashtag #xiaogoushan, meaning “Puppy Mountain,” attracted millions of views.

Consequently, dog lovers joined the trend by posting pictures of their pets, comparing them to the mountain. Many even traveled to Yichang to see it in person, some bringing their dogs along for photos.

One social media user enthusiastically wrote, “Puppy Mountain, here I am!” and shared a picture. Another commented, “Just stroke the puppy’s head and then everything will be OK.” Additionally, someone noted, “We all need the eyes to see the beauty in this world.”

Tourists Rush to See the Mountain

As the post gained popularity, more people decided to visit. Yang Yang, who lives just 90 minutes away, made the trip with her two-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.”

A Natural Wonder Revealed

The mountain is located in Zigui County and is visible from an observation deck. The Yangtze River, the longest river in China, flows through the region, enhancing the scenic beauty. Interestingly, many visitors admitted they had never noticed the mountain’s unique shape before.

Rediscovering an Old View

Following Guo’s viral post, people began sharing older pictures taken from the same spot. Some even pointed out that the dog-like formation had changed slightly over time.

One Yichang resident, Shi Tong, realized he had seen the mountain years ago. After viewing Guo’s photo online, he searched through his old pictures and found one from 2021. “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. I thought it looked like a dog at that time too!” he said.

A New Tourist Hotspot

Now, Puppy Mountain has become a must-visit destination. Tourists, photographers, and pet lovers continue to flock to the site, eager to witness this adorable natural wonder for themselves.