Watching Snow on Wudang Mountain Alone
It is often said that you must go to Hokkaido to see snow. Hokkaido is indeed a romantic place, mentioned in many movies. For example, Shunji Iwai's 'Love Letter.' But if you have seen the snow on Wudang Mountain, you might have a different opinion.
By a very special chance, I had just finished my postgraduate entrance exams and was living at the foot of Wudang Mountain for a while. I happened to catch a moderate snowfall, which led to this dreamlike journey.
The cultural landscape of Wudang Mountain was first built in the Tang Dynasty. It gained great fame because Zhu Di needed a story of 'divine right of kings' to verify his legitimacy. He chose Wudang Mountain, whose peaks resembled fire and lotus, to build his heavenly palace on earth, symbolizing supreme authority. From various perspectives, Wudang Mountain is truly a royal Taoist site. This is why we see the snow reflecting against the red walls on these cliffs.
What word can best describe Wudang Mountain in the snow? Ethereal? Beautiful? After thinking, it is hard to sum up in a single word. It is both snow reflecting on red walls and the magnificent vastness of heaven and earth. It does not look like any ordinary scenery on earth but rather a celestial palace.
Facing such a scene, everyone may have entirely different feelings. Lovers might wish to grow old together, talking about poetry, songs, wind, and snow. Singles might find a kindred spirit, thinking 'How charming the green mountains look to me.'
At that time, my own mood was very calm, especially when I unexpectedly 'monopolized' an entire cable car cabin. The car kept ascending, and beneath my feet was a forest wrapped in white. Looking back, dense clouds and mist had already covered everything, giving me the illusion that I was flying. I couldn't help asking myself, 'Was this the same angle when Chang'e flew to the moon?'
In that pure white world, I watched red cable cars slowly approach and then slowly recede, feeling a literary impulse. Although there was a regret that I could not share this beautiful scene with someone else, I understood more deeply that in the grand scheme of the world, each of us is merely a passerby. 'What is human life like everywhere? It should be like a swan's footprints on snow and mud.'
Transportation and money-saving tips:
I recommend going to Wudang to see snow in winter, as transportation is very convenient. Wudang Mountain has its own airport and high-speed rail station. It takes only about 15 minutes by car from the Wudang Mountain High-Speed Rail Station to the scenic area. However, you need to take a taxi, or if you take the bus, you need to walk about ten minutes to the main road. You can share a taxi outside the high-speed rail station, but prices fluctuate.
The entrance ticket is not cheap, but you can enjoy the mountain for several days. However, accommodation on the mountain, especially during holidays, is also not cheap. Here are three solutions:
1. Stay at Zixiao Palace; it is said to cost a few dozen yuan per night, but the conditions are basic, with a dormitory-style layout.
2. Stay at the foot of the mountain. Since each ticket is valid for three days, you can go up on the first day and come down, then on the second and third days you only need to pay an additional 20 yuan for the bus. But going back and forth is quite tiring and only suitable for young people.
3. There seem to be hotels on the mountain that recruit volunteers. You could work as a volunteer for a week and enjoy the scenery at the same time.
Warm reminder:
If the snow is too light, it won't make a scene; if it's too heavy, the mountain will definitely be closed. Seeing snow is also a matter of fate. Of course, the most important thing is that the snowy roads are slippery, so please be safe.
