Dear Huangshan, Why Are You So Kind to Us?

(Dancing with the clouds atop Tiandu Peak)

It has been several days since we returned from Huangshan, but my mind still often recalls the colorful scenes of Huangshan. So many beautiful memories make me want to ask Huangshan: Dear, why are you so kind to us?

Yes, dear Huangshan, why are you so kind to us? You presented your beauty to us without reservation, making it unforgettable for a lifetime: the peculiar pines breaking through rocks on the cliffs, the oddly shaped rocks in various forms on the peaks, the ever-changing sea of clouds between heaven and earth, the thrilling narrow paths on the precipices... Most precious of all, while enjoying these sights, you never made us wait in line—whether for the bus, sightseeing, or the cable car! Truly rare!

(Unity Pine: one pine with six stems, all growing upward together.)

(Magical stone peaks in the West Sea Grand Canyon—don't they look like an old man gathering herbs?)

(The monkeys on Huangshan are much more refined than those on Mount Emei.)

(Stone peaks in the West Sea Grand Canyon—what do they resemble?)

(Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon)

(Playing with a stick on Bright Summit amid mist and clouds)

(A squirrel on Bright Summit)

(The big mouth of the Mandarinfish)

(A withered pine atop Tiandu Peak)

(Top of Tiandu Peak)

(The small path on Tiandu Peak)

And not only that, you also presented us with a variety of weather, making us pleasantly surprised! Making it unforgettable!

Before going to you, we repeatedly checked the weather forecast, and each time it said rain during our visit. We prepared for a rainy trip. Friends who had visited told us: If you get two hours of clear weather while visiting Huangshan, you're lucky!

But, dear Huangshan, you showed us special favor! You embraced us with wonderful weather!

From the moment we set off until we arrived at the hotel at your foot, the sun was shining all the way. After dinner at the hotel, we went out for a stroll. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered from all directions, a strong wind blew, and soon it poured rain, even mixed with hailstones as thick as thumbs, hopping joyfully on the ground. The streets instantly became streams, and as cars passed, they stirred up waves. But not long after, the dark clouds dispersed, the strong wind stopped, the rain ceased, the hailstones disappeared, and the streams on the street were gone. Everything returned to normal! We witnessed this process in a shop, somewhat dumbfounded. Even the shopkeeper said that hailstorms in June here are truly rare.

(Hailstones on the ground)

The next day, we took the cable car up from Cloud Valley Temple with raincoats, but you didn't give us a chance to use them that day. During the day, bright sunshine accompanied us all the way, letting us fully enjoy the sights of Beginning-to-Believe Peak, Lion Peak, and the West Sea Grand Canyon. In the evening, on Bright Summit, mist and clouds surrounded us, sometimes shrouding everything in a vast white expanse; sometimes a gust of wind blew, clearing the clouds and revealing the bright world again. We fully savored your magical sea of clouds and also enjoyed a unique sunset—in a gray haze, a pale sun gradually set in the west!

That night we stayed at the West Sea Hotel below Danxia Peak. There was no sound of rain all night, only the gurgling of the mountain stream outside the window. When we woke up, it was already five in the morning. Seeing no signs of rain outside, we happily rushed to Danxia Peak, ready to greet the sunrise. But dear Huangshan, you played a joke on us: you wrapped the red sun in thick clouds, leaving us only some rosy clouds—perhaps you knew that one of us is named Hongxia (Rosy Clouds)!

(Waiting for the sunrise atop Danxia Peak)

When we thought our raincoats were useless, a light drizzle began to fall, and mist gradually filled the mountains. We finally had a chance to wear our raincoats! However, dear Huangshan, you only let us wear them for two hours. After nine o'clock, the sun showed its smiling face again, watching us climb Mandarinfish Peak, Jade Screen Peak, and Tiandu Peak, and finally seeing us off as we took the Jade Screen cable car down the mountain.

Dear Huangshan, why are you so kind to us? And why are the people there also so kind to us?

We had booked the hotel for three nights. When we told the owner we could only stay two nights because we would be staying one night on the mountain, he agreed without hesitation and even said we could leave our luggage at the front desk for free. The big speech we had prepared was completely unnecessary—we thought there would be a heated argument! After storing our luggage, we ate at the hotel—the food was not only delicious but also very cheap! After the meal, the owner gave each of us a Huangshan tour map and helped us plan our route. While climbing, we frequently took out the map and strictly followed the planned route. So, dear Huangshan, we were able to fully appreciate most of your scenic spots because we had expert guidance!

Whenever we had questions during the hike, we asked the locals we met—porters, cleaners, service staff, guides, etc.—and each time we received enthusiastic answers.

When visiting Tunxi Old Street, at one shop, two handsome young men were grinding soy milk with a stone mill. One of us saw it and wanted to try, and surprisingly, we were allowed to!

(On Tunxi Old Street—is this a giant inkstone?)

When looking for Dai Zhen Park, we asked a newsstand owner for directions. Learning it was still some distance away, we were about to give up. But an elderly man buying newspapers voluntarily told us that taking a small path could get us there quickly. We eventually visited the serene and scenic Dai Zhen Park.

While waiting for the bus to the high-speed rail station, a taxi driver stopped and warmly invited us to take his car. We thought the fare was too expensive, so he proactively halved the price, making us get in with beaming smiles.

There are many more such instances! Dear Huangshan, why are the people there also so kind to us?

Dear Huangshan, you and your people have been so good to us—how could we not love you? How could we not cherish the memories forever?

June 19, 2016