Huangshan
An inspiration to numerous Chinese poets and artists, and named by ancient poet Li Bai, Huangshan is renowned for its beautiful and dramatic landscapes, interestingly shaped rocks, pine trees and quick moving seas of clouds. Situated in Anhui province, Huangshan is made up of many peaks, some of which were created over 100 million years ago and 77 of which reach over 1000 metres. The gradually changing shapes of the mountains as a result of glaciation and tectonic movements have created natural wonders such as waterfalls, lakes, hotsprings and rock clusters. Together with the heavily populated pine and juniper trees, it is no wonder Huangshan has been the muse for artists throughout the centuries. Many of these trees seem to pop out of rocks and have been aptly named according to their locations and shapes, such as the Ying Ke Pine or Welcoming Pine. Walking up and down the 60,000 steps, some of which have been created for hundreds of years is no easy task. Looking at some of the rock inscriptions makes me wonder how people went about carving words at the oddest places that seem to hang in the sky with impossible access routes. Some spend time in the ancient temples to meditate with the simplest necessities of comfort but even staying in the mountain lodges for a night or two and waking up in the early hours the next morning will let visitors witness the mystical effects of the quick moving clouds in the sky, especially at one of the highest points called Guangming Summit and the amazing sunrise that has been named Buddha’s Light, which make you feel as though you’re walking amidst clouds.
