Mountain Huangshan

Mount Huangshan , located in the southern part of Anhui province, is the most beautiful and enchanting mountain in China. It is known for its mist-shrouded peaks, grotesque rocks, strange-shaped pine trees, ever-changing sea of clouds and numerous springs. All these elements of beauties make Mount Huangshan the most unique and celebrated scenery on earth.  

Among Mount Huangshan's famous 72 peaks, Lianhua Peak (Lotus), Tiandu Peak (Celestial Capital) and Guangmingding (Brightness Apex) are the most acclaimed. Magnificent and imposing, they rise over 1,800 meters high (5,921 feet). While standing at the top of those peaks, one is greeted by a panoramic view of peaks, rocks and pine trees half hidden in the sea of clouds.

Mount Huangshan's rocks are grotesque, usually with vivid names like " Immortal Pointing the Way ," " Squirrel Skipping to Celestial Capital ," " Monkey Gazing at the Sea ," or " Rock Flying from Afar ." These rocks are so lifelike, they become a display of natural sculptures.  

   The pine trees on the Mount Huangshan are in various shapes, each with its own distinct beauty and grace. The most famous one is Yingkesong (the kind extending its branches sideways as if to greet visitors from afar). 

Mount Huangshan is beautiful all year round. Spring strews the slopes and valleys with colorful flowers; summer covers the hills with lush greens; fall dresses the mountains in red and yellow; winter turns them into a silver world.  

Mount Huangshan has been so named and called since Emeror Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty named it so in the 8th century. Huangshan's former name was "Mount Qian". "Qian" means "black". "Mount Qian" means the mountain is full of black stones. An old tale tells us why the mountain has different names. Legend has it that our ancestor "Huangdi" created the unitary multi-national state and civilized the society. Then he came to Mount Qian to make pills of immortality and take bath in the hot spring. Then he became an immortal. Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty believed this tale. He changed Mount Qian to Mount Huangshan in commemoration of Huangdi.

The first attractive scene in Huangshan must be the peaks. The wonderful peaks have unique characteristics and charms. There is no exactly number of the peaks in Huangshan. According to historical documents, there are 36 big peaks and 36 small peaks named. And 10 new peaks that have also been named at present time. Totally 82 named peaks have been chosen to enter the chronicle "Records of Mount Huangshan". Most of the peaks rise more than 1000 meters above sea level. The highest one is Lotus Flower Peak (Lianhuafeng) which is 1864m, followed by Bright Summit Peak (Guangmingding) at 1841m and Heavenly Capital Peak (Tiandufeng) at 1829.5m. The three main peaks with the unique Peak of Starting to Believe (Shixinfeng) at 1683m, are called four famous peaks of Huangshan. You will get something of Huangshan if you climb up any one of the four.

The beauty of Huangshan is not only in its peaks, but also in that it has merged the unique features of all the famous mountains of China; that is to say, Huangshan has the grandeur of Mount Tai, the precipitousness of Mount Hua, the misty clouds of Mount Heng, the beautiful waterfalls of Mount Lu, the exquisite rocks of Mount Yandang and the coolness of Mount Emei. In short, Huangshan epitomized almost all the unique features of mountain on earth. Besides, Huangshan is also known for its own four unique features--gnarled pines, craggy rocks, rolling seas of clouds and hot springs. Everyone will speak highly of the four unique sights. Mr. Xu Xiake, a famous geographer and traveler of the Ming Dynasty, traveled to every famous mountain of China and climbed up Huangshan twice. His comment on Huangshan was:"No mountain is better than Huangshan." That means you will realize that no other mountain is better than Huangshan after hyou have visited Huangshan. To some extent, it is no need for you to visit other mountains if you have once enjoyed the beauty of Huangshan. This is also summarized in the old Chinese saying, "no need to visit other mountains after visiting the five famous mountains. No need to visit the five famous mountains after coming back from Huangshan." In May 1990, a UNESCO official came to Huangshan to investigate the natural resources and cultural heritage. He could not help saying, "Huangshan is marvelous. This is the most beautiful mountain I've ever seen." He is the authoritative person in scenic investigation. What he said means that Huangshan can be regarded as the moust beautiful mountain in the world.

Huangshan not only has the natural beauty, but also contains rich historical and cultural heritage. The natural beauty in perfect harmony with the historical and cultural heritage creates the beauty of Huangshan.

Bestowed by nature, Mount Huangshan possesses the distinguished features of China's other famous mountains - Mount Taishan's magnificence, Mount Huashan's perilous peaks, Mount Hengshan's misty clouds, Mount Lushan's roaring falls and Mount Emei's elegance. No wander there goes a popular saying in Chinese: No mountains are worth seeing when you have been to the Five Mountains; the Five Mountains are nothing if you have seen Mount Huangshan.

In 1985, Huangshan was selected as one of the top ten natural and cultural attractions in China. It was the only mountain that earned such honor. then, in 1990, UNESCO inscribed it on the World Heritage List and from then on Huangshan, as a tourist resort, has been getting more and more popular among tourists.