Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 长右, Chang You
Category: Monkey
The Myth
The Changyou is a strange beast from Chinese mythology that resembles a monkey but possesses four ears. It lives on Changyou Mountain, a place described as having abundant water but no vegetation. Its cry sounds like a human groaning or moaning, giving the creature an eerie voice that distinguishes it from ordinary monkeys.
According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, the appearance of a Changyou is an omen of catastrophic flooding. Whenever the creature is sighted, great floods are said to strike the surrounding districts, bringing destruction to human settlements. Its connection to water has led to comparisons with other legendary ape-like water monsters, such as Wuzhiqi.
Tradition also connects the Changyou to the time when Yu the Great was attempting to control the great floods of ancient China. The creature reportedly appeared three times on Mount Tongbai, where violent thunderstorms and fierce winds repeatedly obstructed the flood-control efforts. Unable to make progress, Yu called upon the gods to capture the monster. Only after the Changyou was subdued could the work of controlling the waters proceed successfully.
Sources
“Changyou” (长右). Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 20, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%95%BF%E5%8F%B3