Return from Huangshan Part Three
Sunrise at 5:30 AM, set the alarm for 4:30 AM, got up on time.
Brought a flashlight, climbed all the way to the top of Qingliang Terrace. The sky was still overcast, but it wasn't as cold as I imagined. There was a hint of colorful clouds in the east. Looked at the star chart to find the position where the sun would appear, and waited.
It got closer to 5:30, and suddenly a bright red color appeared in the east—the sun was coming out. I shouted. Unfortunately, there were still too many clouds, like a Venetian blind—the sun only showed a narrow strip, which didn't last long before it disappeared. Seeing a little bit was still worth it.
Returned to the hotel and had breakfast. At 7:15, I shouldered my backpack and set off. Today's itinerary was to pass through Bright Peak and head to the Welcome Pine on the front mountain. The mountaintop became misty and cloudy, the whole mountain seemed shrouded in fog. My hair was completely wet, but hydration was ample. Through the clouds and mist, I saw the distant Fairy Peach Stone, which is the stone shown at the beginning of the TV drama Dream of the Red Chamber.
Bright Peak was reached soon. The wind at the summit was extremely strong, almost blowing people over. After a brief rest, I headed to Aoyu Peak. The top of Aoyu Peak was still shrouded in clouds and mist, with no distant views. From Aoyu Peak, I followed the stone steps to the Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder. The scene where Liu Xiaoqing knelt and carried a stretcher in Xiaohua was filmed here, but I found it wasn't as steep as imagined. Over 200 steps quickly brought me to the top. Ahead was a fork: straight up to Lotus Peak, or to the right bypassing Lotus Peak from the side. Lotus Peak and Tiandu Peak open alternately every five years. Last year Lotus Peak opened, Tiandu Peak closed. To see the Carp's Back (Jiyu Bei), I'll have to wait another five years. Since I'm here, I'll climb. The guide still took the side path and helped us carry the heavy items.
Ascending to the top of Lotus Peak was quick—20 minutes and I arrived, occasionally passing through strange rock caves. The summit was small and crowded, with clouds and mist and strong winds—very dangerous. Descending from the opposite steps, the real test began. The path down was extremely steep, with narrow steps. The mountain wind almost blew my towel away. Holding onto the rocks and ropes on the side, I sidled down step by step, exchanging encouragement with those ascending. It really took an hour to get down the peak and rejoin the guide.
After Lotus Peak, it was a smooth path all the way to the Welcome Pine. Took a few 'I was here' photos, then descended via the front mountain cable car. The scenery from the cable car was also nice—I could look back at Tiandu Peak in the clouds and mist, and also see the mountain path that Comrade Xiaoping climbed in 1979. The scenery of Huangshan is truly beautiful. The West Sea Grand Canyon and Tiandu Peak will have to wait until next time.
