Maogong Mountain gets its intriguing name from a large rock formation that is said to be similar in appearance to the late Chairman Mao Zedong lying in state in the Vault of Heaven.

Maogong Shan, meaning "Mountain of Lord Mao", is located in Ledong County and is part of the Baoguo range of mountains. Additional features of note in the area are a Li nationality village called Liberation Village and a Miao nationality village called Red East Village.