Mt. Huangshan

Overview
 

Location

Mt. Huangshan, which is situated in the south of Anhui Province, covers an area of about 250 square kilometers. Mt. Huangshan is 40 kilometers (25 miles) long from north to south, and 30 kilometers (19 miles) wide from east to west, with an area of 1,200 square kilometers (463 square miles). It is also known as ‘the loveliest mountain of China’, was acclaimed through art and literature during good part of Chinese history.

Religion and Culture:

In the Qin Dynasty (221-206B.C.), Mt. Huangshan was named Mt. Yishan (Black Mountain). In 747 of the Tang Dynasty (618-917A.D.), Emperor Li Longji Believed that the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan became an immortal here so he changed the name of the mountain to Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain).

Mt. Huangshan has long been closely connected with religion. As early as in the Tang Dynasty, stories about Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), and the alchemists Rongchengzi and Fuqiugong making pills of immortality on Mt. Huangshan were recorded. Most of the peaks were named after fairy tales, just like the name of the mountain, which adds some mythological flavor. From the glorious Tang Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), over 20 thousand poems, rhymes and essays lauding Mt. Huangshan were produced. mountain Taoist and Buddhist temples are distributed everywhere since the end of the Ming Dynasty, like the Fuqiu Taoist Temple and Nine-dragon Taoist Temple as well as the Four Jungles of Mt. Huangshan - The Xiangfu Temple, the Verdant Temple, the Benevolent-Light Temple and the Alms-Bowl-Throwing Meditation Temple.

Legends and stories:

The wonderful scenery of Mt. Huangshan has attracted many visitors. Among them were said to be immortals, like the Yellow Emperor, the Dragon King and even the Eight Immortals. The story goes that once on the day of the annual gathering of the Eight Immortals, seven of them arrived on time, while Han Xiangzi was late. Zhang Guolao guessed that Han must have been fascinated by the scenery of Mt. Huangshan on his way. Then Zhang Guolao flew into the sky to look for Han Xiangzi. Just as Zhang expected, Han was sightseeing on Mt. Huangshan. He was enjoying himself so much that he forgot the gathering. Zhang tried every possible way to persuade Han to leave. Han, however, was reluctant to go, and turned a stone into a replica of himself, in case he forgot the way to Huangshan the next time. The stone therefore was named Immortal Showing the Way. Zhang, for fear that Han would slip away again, rode backwards on his donkey to keep Han in sight and also to keep seeing the Mountain.

Sights:

The scenic area covers 154 sq. km, and is celebrated for its peaks, rocks, pines, clouds and springs. The Yellow Mountain is famed for its "four wonders" namely Oddly-shaped Pines, Grotesque Rocks, Hot Springs and Sea of Clouds.

Oddly-shaped Pines - Huangshan pines are seen in every corner of Mt. Huangshan. 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.

Grotesque Rocks - steep peaks stand in great numbers on the Huangshan Mountain with rugged cliffs. The feet of the peaks reach down to the bottom of the valley and granite stone steles spread all over the valleys, mountainsides and mountaintops, forming an admirable natural picture.

Hot springs - in ancient times, it was named ’magic spring’. If one bathes in it, no soap is needed and many diseases will be cured, because there are many beneficial microelements in the water, which is pure and comfortable of temperature. Based on the legend, Emperor Xuanyuan ascended to heaven after bathing in the spring for 49 days.

Sea of clouds - since ancient times there has been a sea of clouds over the mountain. Huangshan Mountain is the home of cloud and fog with the peaks as its body and the clouds as its clothes. After a snowfall and when the sun rises or sets, the sea of clouds is magnificent - the absurd stones, strange pines, peaks and the other ancient trees floating in the clouds, flickering here and there. When you are there, it seems as if you are walking on clouds, almost like a fairy.

In winter, Huangshan Mountain has a lot of snow. The light and pretty snow-flakes dance in the air together with the clouds and fog. After several snowfalls, the top of the Water Curtain Cave at the foot of the Taohua Peak is covered by a layer of thick ice. Through melting and refreezing, numerous ice pegs hang around the cave like a crystal curtain, which is called a snow curtain. When the weather is clear and the temperature falls to below zero degrees centigrade, the heavy and dense fog coagulates on the trees, stones and brushwood and freezes into white solid ice crystals sparkling in the sun.

Mt. Huangshan is an ideal environment for wild animals and plants. The distribution of the animals and plants changes with elevation. Flowers bloom as though in all the four seasons due to the change in climatic conditions as you proceed up the mountain.

Weather and clothing: The weather is changeable and rains come unpredictably. Travelers are suggested to take raincoats. Strong winds on the mountain make umbrellas unsuitable. Warm clothing is advisable even in summer. The morning and evenings are very cool. The mountain is high and the path is very steep, so a pair of good walking shoes is needed.

Features
The loveliest mountain of China Famous for "four wonders" namely Oddly-shaped Pines, Grotesque Rocks, Hot Springs and Sea of Clouds

Tips
1. Hot spring is not suitable for everyone. If you suffer from high blood pressure or heart diseases， it would be wise to consult your doctor first. 2. Do not bathe in the hot spring if you do not feel very well or when you are hungry. 3. Leave the hot spring whenever you feel uncomfortable.