Mount Huangshan
4 min readSituated in the southern part of Anhui Province in east China，Mount Huangshan rises over 1，800 meters above sea level，its scenic areas covering 156 square kilometers.As a tourist destination，it boasts of combining the masculine grandeur of Mount Taishan，the grotesque splendour of Mount Huashan，the mist and clouds of Mount Hengshan，and the waterfalls of Mount Lushan，hence it enjoys an exceptionally high reputation.Xu Xiake，a famous Ming Dynasty traveler，said，”Having seen the five major mountains in China, one does not want to see any other mountains. Having seen the all-inclusive Mount Huangshan, one does not wish to see any of the five major mountains’.
The strange pines, grotesque rocks sea of clouds and hot springs are the four wonders of Mount Huangshan.
Huangshan pines seen in every corner of Mount Huangshan will be amazed by their vitality and strength. The seeds fall into the crevices where they take root and grow with great vigor. The uneven terrain prevents the pines from growing upright.
Instead they become crooked and even downward. Another feature of Huangshan pines is that many trees grow branches on one side only. The pines grow very slowlydue to the poor soil and climatic conditions.A tree less than 3 meters (9.84 feet) high may have grown for over one hundred years or even several hundred years. The root of a pine is several times or several dozens times longer than the trunk, therefore Huangshan pines stand firmly with dignity withstanding wind and rain. Every pine is unique though: Guest-Greeting Pine in front of the stone lion of the Jade Screen Pavilion Guest-Goodbye Pine to the right of the Jade Screen Pavilion , Cushion Pine at Lotus Valley , Phoenix Pine at the Sky Sea , Chessboard Pine at Pingtian Stone Bridge, Kylin Pine between Beihai Hotel and the Refreshing Terrace, Black Tiger Pine and Sea Exploring Pine are among the most famous ones.
On every peak of Mount Huangshan there are numerous grotesque rock with such vivid names”Rock Flying from afar”,”Monkey Gazing at the Sea”,”Goddess Embroidering”,”Golden Cock Crowing towards the Heavenly Gate”, and”Boys Worshiping Buddha Guanyin”, etc. These fantastic rocks turn Mount Huangshan into a museum of natural sculpture. The grotesque rocks were created by the nature. Early in the Quaternary Glacier Period, the landforms of Mount Huangshan underwent greatchanges. Permeated and eroded by the glacier for millions of years, some rocks were split open and others collapsed. Owing to exposure to nature over the years, rock gradually took various shapes. Spectacular rocky peaks will inspire your imagination.
Some look like human beings, birds or animals or many other objects. Something that makes the rocks even more fascinating that they assume varied shapes when seen from different angles.
Mount Huangshan is home to clouds and mists. The Sea of Clouds has a fairy tale beauty. Winter is the best season for this spectacle. According to their locations, the seas of clouds are divided into East Sea South Sea West Sea , North Sea and Sky Sea. If you climb up the Lotus Peak the Heaven Capital Peak and the Bright Peak, you will find yourself above the level of the clouds and they appear as a sea beneath you. It is true that a sea of clouds can be seen in many high mountains but that of Mount Huangshan is unique with its oddly shaped rocks and ancient pines. Peaks, large and small hide and reappear in the boundless waves of clouds. The Heavenly Capital Peak and the Bright Peak appear as isolated islands within this white sea. All the colors seem more vivid in the sunshine. The clouds are forever changing, from being like a mirror when all is calm to rolling waves when the wind is strong. At sunrise or sunset, the glistening clouds assume every hue from red to purple. You cannot help marveling at this gift from the Creator ! You will be struck by the beauty when all the red leaves are floating on the white clouds in autumn , when the clouds gush between the peaks like a raging river while the red leaves flutter delicately in the breeze.
The Hot Spring of Mount Huangshan of nation fame, was discovered and tapped more than a thousand years ago. Gushing forth from the foot of Purple Cloud Peak, it has never run dry during excessive rain. It is of a high-temperature carbonate type, with therapeutic effects for metabolic disorder, cardiovascular disease and malfunctions of digestive, nervous and motorial systems. Its clear waters remain at 42 ℃all year round and can be used for drinking and bathing. Baths and swimming pools have been built around the spring. To be able to refresh yourself in the hotsprings on Mt. Huangshan must be one of the best ways of enjoyment and relaxation.
Running out of the Purple Peak of 850 meters (2,789 feet) the hot spring in Mt.
Huangshan is the first stop following the entrance. Legend has it that Huang Di the ancestor of the Chinese nation bathed here 49 days before he ascended to heaven and became immortal.
Four hundred kilometers（248.5 miles）from the East China Sea，Mount Huangshan is absolutely the best place to watch the sunrise.It would be wise to choose the place according to where you live or are staying so as to attain the best vantage point without being exhausted.For example，the Dawn Pavilion（Shuguang Ting）the Refreshing Terrace and the Lion Peak are the optimum places if you live near the North Sea；the Red Cloud Peak for tourists near Xihai Hotel and Paiyunlou Hotel；the Bright Peak for Qixiang Hotel and Tianhai Hotel and Jade Screen Peak for those near Jade Screen Pavilion.You have to wake up earlier but the magnificent sight is certainly rewarding.In contrast，Red Cloud Peak and Paiyun Tower are the best places for watching the glow of the setting sun.
