The Hills Are Covered in Blooming Azaleas~

I first learned about 'Azaleas' (Yingshanhong) when watching the movie 'Sparkling Red Star'. When Dongzi's mother was burned to death, the mountains were covered in blooming azaleas. In recent years, I heard that Dahei Mountain also has patches of azaleas, and I've long been itching to see them. So when a friend invited me, I gladly went along.

Climbing up with difficulty, stumbling and scrambling, after nearly two hours of hiking, panting heavily and muttering under my breath, I looked left and right—apart from the tender green of early spring willows and the swaying yellow branches of winter jasmine, I couldn't see a single flower in sight.

Passing through several more ridges and turning into the valley opposite Xiaodaobei on Dahei Mountain, a scene suddenly opened up before me that truly amazed me: Azaleas! Azaleas! Dalian really does have mountains covered in azaleas!

Looking out: in the valley, ravines, rock crevices—clusters of flowers in light pink, deep pink, and peach red, piece by piece, face after face. A rain of pink petals poured down like a torrent, leaving people no time to catch their breath, no time to dodge, no time to distinguish the shape or fragrance of the flowers. In an instant, we were plunged into a sea of flowers.

After more than fifty years as a native of Dalian, and having called myself a traveler through autumn winds, I always yearned for distant landscapes. I never imagined, nor dared to think, that the scenery at my doorstep could be so gorgeous and magnificent.

The rocks of Dahei Mountain look as if they've been boiled in a pot—flesh and bones separated. Lacking soil, the rugged mountain paths and jagged stones are exposed. Vegetation on the mountain never grows lush, and it has long been known for its perilous and bizarre features. Little did I expect that Dahei Mountain, like the people of Dalian—rough and burly on the outside—hides a tender softness behind the black mountain, like a graceful young girl waiting for a destined encounter.

Wandering through the sea of flowers, I kept waiting—perhaps for a chance encounter? An encounter with a stranger from afar, a rendezvous with my hometown. 'When the mountain flowers are in full bloom, I will come.' Friends from Wuyuan, where are you?~ Looking around, I silently made a wish. On the viewing platform, I left behind my deep gratitude and greetings.

Descending Dahei Mountain, two questions suddenly arose in my mind: Wasn't this originally called Daheshang Mountain? Could it be that they changed the name because they were worried about an imbalance of yin and yang in the surrounding university town? And also: Why do locals call the beautiful and charming azalea 'Guangding Flower' (Bare-Bottom Flower)?

Shaking my head, I stopped pondering. Covered in a layer of pink, breathing in the floral fragrance, humming a tune, I felt lighthearted. Azaleas, we will meet again next year.

In the dead of night, I long for dawn

In the cold winter, I long for spring breeze

If we are to welcome the Red Army

Let the hills be covered in blooming azaleas

Let the hills be covered in blooming azaleas...