The Spiritual Mountains and Waters of Southern Anhui—Jiuziyan

In the vast mountains of the Jiuhua Mountain National Forest Park in Anhui Province, there is a famous scenic area called Jiuziyan, situated in Qingyang County, on the eastern slope of the 5A-rated Jiuhua Mountain scenic area. In this rainy July of midsummer, I made a long drive here upon its reputation.

As soon as I reached the foot of the mountain, I was captivated by the beautiful scenery. The Jiuziyan Scenic Area is one of the most picturesque spots in the natural scenery of Jiuhua Mountain.

The mountain scenery of Jiuziyan is exquisite, as majestic as Mount Tai, as perilous as Huashan, and as beautiful as Huangshan.

Walking, looking, and taking photos, I spent several hours in one go, finally ascending to Tianhua Peak, the main peak of Jiuziyan. At an altitude of 1,084 meters, it is a masterpiece of nature in the Jiuhua Mountains. Only at the summit did I truly grasp the meaning of 'seeing all other mountains as small from above'.

The first line of 'Song of Jiuhua Mountain' by the great Tang poet Liu Yuxi reads: 'At the sight of the fantastic peak, my soul is startled,' which perfectly captures the splendor of Tianhua Peak. The 'Poet Immortal' Li Bai praised the Qibu Spring at Jiuziyan as 'the Milky Way hangs green water,' with a drop of over 80 meters—the greatest waterfall drop among the Jiuhua Mountains.

The Jiuziyan Scenic Area enjoys a pleasant climate, gorgeous scenery, and a rich cultural heritage. Within the area, fantastic peaks rise steeply, grotesque rocks tower, ridges traverse, basins interlock, layered peaks are lush with greenery, and homestays are scattered everywhere.

It combines the elegance of Mount Emei with the grandeur of Huashan, presenting a natural picture that delights the eyes and the heart. It is an ideal environment for hiking, cross-country trekking, forest adventures, summer escapes, spiritual cultivation, vacations, and recuperation.