Mt.Huangshan Travel Guide

Brief Introduction
Mt.Huangshan, towering between Taiping and Shexian counties in Anhui Province, is known as "the loveliest mountain of China". It was acclaimed through art and literature during a good part of Chinese history (e.g. the Shanshui "mountain and water" style of the mid-16th century).

With a circumference of 250 kilometers, Mt.Huangshan consists of 72 distinct peaks, the highest being Lotus Flower (Lianhua) Peak (1,800 meters). It is every scenic mountain rolled up in one -- it is as lofty as Mount Taishan, as precipitous as Mount Huashan and as charming as Mount Emei. It can be blanketed in clouds like Mount Hengshan and has clliffside springs like those of Mount Lushan.

Xu Xiake (1586-1641), the well-known geographer of the Ming Dynasty, extolled the beauty of Mt.Huangshan in these words: "It is not worth seeing other mountains of you have been to the Five Great Mountains; and it is not worth seeing the Five Great Mountain if you have been to Huangshan." Today it holds the same fascination for visitors, poets, painters and photographers who come on pilgrimage to the site, which is renowned for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of a sea of clouds. Tourists should not miss a visit to North Sea, (Beihai), West Sea (Xihai), Celestial Capital (Tiandu) Peak, Jade Screen (Yuping) Tower, and Cloud Valley (Yungu) Temple, which are among the prettiest sights on Mount Huangshan. Cool (Qingliang) Terrace is the best place for watching the sunrise and the clouds.

Features
Landform of fenglin or magnificent afforested peaks
In the long geological history the movement of orogeny and upthrow of earth crust has resulted in a seldom-seen geological structure in Mt.Huangshan. Glacial movement and weathering have led to a landform of fenglin or magnificent afforested peaks. Since early times Mt.Huangshan has been known to have 36 big summits as well as 36 small summits. The highest is Lotus Flower Peak which rises l,864 m above sea level. Surrounding the Lotus Flower are 77 peaks with elevation of more than 1,000 m and several hundred stone forests, stone pillars and strange rocks. from its center Mt.Huangshan radiates to many valleys and gullies(36 are big ones),forming into 36 water sources that run into 24 brooks. The abundant water resources add to the charm of Mt.Huangshan, which has nearly l00 waterfalls and deep pools.

A Botanical Treasure House
Mt.Huangshan has 83% vegetation coverage rate, a clear vertical distribution pattern,completely preserved biological communities and a balanced ecology. There are l,450 species of protophyte genetic plants naturally distributed, among which metasequoia is under first-class state protection while 8 species(gingko,etc.)receive second-class state protection Huangshan constitutes a treasure house of botanical resources of South China.
Mt.Huangshan pine, a singular beauty, is listed as the No.1 among the four ultimate wonders of Mt.Huangshan. Pines well over 100 years old number over ten thousand and come in a great variety of shapes, striking roots deep into crevices or standing firm on top of the peaks. More than one hundred pines have names, with Guest- Welcoming Pine, the most famous, as the symbol of Mt.Huangshan. The high mountains and dense forests of Mt.Huangshan provide habitats for a great number of wild animals, which include 24 species of fish, 20 species of amphibians,38 species of reptiles, l70 species of birds and 300 species of vertebrates. The spotted deer is listed among the first-class state protected animals, and the macaque and titi among the second-grade ones.

Cultural Heritage
As a mountain of culture, Mt.Huangshan has a long history. According to legend Emperor Xuanyuan, primitive ancestor of the Chinese nation, once tried to make the elixir of life in Mt.Huangshan. Having attained the way, he ascended to heaven with his pill of immortality. This brought good fortune to Mt.Huangshan and beautified it with natural scenery Throughout the ages many Chinese literati, celebrities, poets, and artists have been attracted by Mt.Huangshan,to which they pay visit. According to estimate hundreds of famous essays and 20,000 poems have been written on Mt.Huangshan from the Tang Dynasty in its prosperous era to the late Qing Dynasty in praise of the mountain. In particular the Mt.Huangshan school of painting offers the most splendid page in the long history of traditional Chinese painting.

Nearly one hundred historic buildings,200 rock inscriptions and cliff carvings have been kept in Mt.Huangshan. Ancient path total 50,000 m and 36,000 stone steps link up various scenic areas and historic spots.