Xu Xiake's Journey: Tracing the Footsteps of Xu Xiake – Huangshan Guide

📍 Huangshan · 👁 1900 reads

Start with a picture, and the rest is made up! But Huangshan's beauty is worth any fabrication!

Hongzu (Xu Xiake)'s first visit to Huangshan began at Tangkou, as we all know, and he chose Ciguang Pavilion to start his climb. Tutu will take everyone on the classic route—starting from Yungu Temple.

PS: The Huangshan scenic area ticket allows two entries within three days.

But we won't walk this section; we'll save our energy for after the cable car. Take the scenic shuttle from the base to the Yungu area, then head directly to the Yungu Cable Car.

Due to differences in geological structure, Huangshan's terrain is mostly composed of Yanshanian granite and similar rocks. Thus, compared to Yandang, it is much more perilous and steep, and even more bizarre and strange.

The cable car glides along the ropeway, as if riding a sea of pine waves, rising with the waves. Clouds embrace the mountains in dance, and the heart soars with the body. Everywhere you look is a beautiful sight!

Look, that small one inside—doesn't it resemble a monk? And that big one outside—like a warrior woman in battle robe! And also... ah, the endless imagination!

After getting off the cable car at New White Goose Station, follow the west route to begin our journey of scenery at every step.

Marvel at nature's uncanny workmanship? No! Nature is very simple; it only knows three tricks: wind, rain, and sun! But each trick lasts tens of thousands of years!

Winding halfway along the west route, the Stone Bamboo Shoot Ridge stands majestically before you. The ridge is covered with strangely shaped pines and bizarre rocks dancing about, a stunning masterpiece. The tough and rugged Huangshan stones, paired with the tenacious Huangshan pines, appear even more stable and restrained.

Looking north, the dense peaks and ridges form the scene 'Eighteen Arhats Paying Homage to the South Sea.' The peaks vary in height and shape, some upright, some leaning.

Question: Huangshan Stone Bamboo Shoots, Yandang Dragon Pool, and ________ are known as the 'Three Wonders of the World.'

Turning to look west, a hundred zhang away is Shixin Peak. Legend has it that Chen Jiubi, the magistrate of Taiping County during the Kangxi era, thought Xu Xiake's evaluation of Huangshan—'There is no mountain in the world like Huangshan. Once you climb Huangshan, no other mountain is worth seeing'—was an exaggeration. But after ascending Shixin Peak, he realized the beauty of Huangshan was indeed extraordinary, and Xu was right. Hence, 'Jieyin Cliff' became known as 'Shixin Peak.'

The area around Shixin Peak is also home to many famous Huangshan pines. Among the 'Top Ten Famous Pines of Huangshan,' Shixin Peak boasts six: Jieyin Pine, Tanhai Pine, Shugin Pine, Longzhao Pine, Lianli Pine, and Heihu Pine. The twisted roots and rugged trunks of Huangshan pines complement the graceful curves of Huangshan stones, creating a harmonious and interesting interplay throughout the entire scenic area.

From Shixin Peak, descend southwest, pass White Goose Ridge, and continue southwest for about two li to reach Guangming Summit—the second highest peak of Huangshan and the center of the entire scenic area.

Uh, your Zhang Wuji is not on this Guangming Summit... The Guangming Summit in 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber' is on the Kunlun Mountains thousands of miles away—the headquarters of the Ming Cult.

If you plan to stay overnight on the peak, you can head north from Heihu Pine into the North Sea Scenic Area. After lunch, explore the various spots of Lion Grove, such as Dream Pen in Bloom, Pen Rack Mountain, and Monkey Gazing at the Sea, then venture into the West Sea Grand Canyon.

Since you're staying on the mountaintop, naturally you'll want to capture the sunset and sunrise in your memories—sorry, that depends on luck.

After visiting the attractions around Guangming Summit, it will be around noon. Have a simple lunch, take a short rest, and begin an exciting (scream-inducing) journey.

Descend about two li south from Guangming Summit to reach Aoyu Peak. Aoyu Peak, the foremost among the thirty-six minor peaks of Huangshan, has a flat top like a whetstone, offering a wide view. As a year-round sunrise viewing spot, it is a must-fight location for travelers.

After riding the fish's back, we descend through Aoyu Cave. If there are few tourists, you may also consider going down via Yixian Tian (One Line Sky). PS: Yixian Tian is usually a one-way upward path.

Next comes another winding stone path—the classic Hundred-Step Cloud Ladder. When encountering heavy fog, you feel as if you are in the clouds, moving like an immortal, carefree. Or conversely, like treading on thin ice, thrilling at every step.

Passing through the peaks, looking down and around, every step brings wonders and thrills. If visiting Huangshan today is like this, it is not hard to imagine that Xu Xiake's journey in the late Ming Dynasty was several times more dangerous.

Important note: You cannot visit both Lotus Peak and Tiandu Peak at the same time, because these two brothers take turns every five years!

PS: After November 30 this year, Lotus Peak will close, and Tiandu Peak will reopen next spring! If you want to climb Lotus Peak, be sure to remember this date, otherwise you'll have to wait another five years!

From the top of Lotus Peak, descend to the Welcoming Pine. The Welcoming Pine is the representative of famous Huangshan pines and the symbol of the entire mountain. After enjoying the sights around the Welcoming Pine, head back to the Yuping Cable Car Station and take the cable car down the mountain.

Along the way, you will surely notice porters carrying various items brushing past you from time to time. They are the porters of Huangshan. This inevitably reminds us of Feng Jicai's 'The Porters.'

It is said that Huangshan porters are paid by weight, about 1.2 yuan per kilogram, with a load of about 75 kilograms, and they can only make one round trip per day. They carry supplies up the mountain and then carry various garbage down. This is a hard but noble job! While enjoying a trip to Huangshan, conserving resources and protecting the environment are noble virtues for every tourist!

After descending to the Yuping Cable Car Hot Spring Station, transfer to a scenic bus to Ciguang Pavilion. When Xu Xiake first arrived here, it was exactly ten years after this temple was granted an imperial plaque by Emperor Shenzong.

Take a small path down the mountain for about one li to reach the statue of Xu Xiake. Silently pay tribute here to his persevering attitude of 'spending his life exploring wonders, enduring countless dangers to survey the landscape.'

Oh, by the way, this area belongs to the Hot Spring Scenic Area. If you want to try Huangshan's hot springs, you can take a soak. During his first visit to Huangshan, Xu Xiake bathed in the hot springs both on his way up and down.

And about the earlier question, it will be answered next time!

Tutu can keep making up more...

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[Attached below are ticket and transportation information]

Ctrip ticket information:

Huangshan Scenic Area Main Ticket: 190 yuan

Yuping Cable Car: 90 yuan per trip

Yungu Cable Car: 80 yuan per trip

Songgu Cable Car: 80 yuan per trip

West Sea Grand Canyon Sightseeing Cable Car: 100 yuan per trip

Scenic area shuttle bus: 19 yuan.

Huangshan North Station high-speed rail station is 50 km from the scenic area; high-speed rail special bus: 20 yuan.