Beneath the Highest Peak in Central China Lies a Forest of Writers' Inscriptions, a Gathering of Literary Giants with Flourishing Calligraphy, but Fang Fang's Is the Most Unique

If asked where the highest peak in the world or in China is, I believe everyone would answer Mount Everest in unison. But if asked where the highest peak in Central China is, how many people could answer? I believe at least half of the people would not know. In fact, it is the main peak of Funiu Mountain, the highest peak of Luoyang Baiyun Mountain—Yuhuang Peak. It is a national forest park and a 5A-level tourist attraction, renowned for its forests, sea of clouds, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and other landscapes.

Among the many attractions of Baiyun Mountain, the Forest Oxygen Bar is definitely a place not to be missed. It not only boasts beautiful scenery and fresh air, but also features inscriptions from dozens of famous writers about Baiyun Mountain scattered throughout the forest. Although they are not yet considered cultural relics, given time, these will become remarkable cultural landmarks. Moreover, these are prominent contemporary literary masters who unanimously praise Baiyun Mountain, indicating that Baiyun Mountain must have its unique qualities.

Let's take a look at these masters' inscriptions. This one is by teacher Mu Qing, reading "Baiyun's Beauty Under Heaven."

Teacher Li Guowen's inscription: "Moonlight shines among the pines, clear springs flow over stones." What do you think of Teacher Li's calligraphy?

Teacher Yu Hua's inscription: "Baiyun Mountain's Scenery Is Boundless," placed in a pond.

Listening to the waves, watching the clouds—can you recognize which teacher's calligraphy this is?

Teacher Zhang Jie's inscription: "Drunk with the Mountains," a Baiyun Mountain that intoxicates with its beauty.

Written by teacher Liu He, a Chinese-American writer, with both Chinese and English—quite special.

Xue Zhongjun—presumably this teacher came in winter and saw Baiyun Mountain covered in snow.

Teacher Lan Lan's inscription is very simple: "Wind Blows By." Do you understand what it means?

Fang Fang, who has been controversial recently, also inscribed here: "The Scenery Here Is Uniquely Fine." However, what makes it special is that beside other teachers' inscriptions there are introductions about the author and the inscription, but hers have been destroyed.

Teacher Lei Da's inscription: "Three Rivers Share the Same Source, Magnificent Under Heaven." Baiyun Mountain is the source of the Yi, Ru, and Bai rivers, so this inscription is quite meaningful.

This inscription is also simple: "Nature," meaning returning to nature, or protecting nature?

Teacher Ge Fei wrote a poem for Baiyun Mountain: "White sun grows in secluded valleys, cloud shadows reflect on green moss. Mountains and rivers truly please the eyes, good wind comes from the south." This is an acrostic poem; the first character of each line together spells "Baiyun Mountain Good."

This is the inscription of the famous writer Liang Xiaosheng: "Orchid autumn fragrance never dies, pine at dusk green is deep." Just ten characters encapsulate the beautiful scenery of Baiyun Mountain's forest oxygen bar.

Teacher Liu Qingbang's inscription: "Good mountains, good waters, good atmosphere." A bit casual, but indeed true.

Teacher Li Peifu's inscription: "Grace of heaven and earth, beauty of the human world," very poetic.

White clouds like a painting, beautiful waters like a song! Can you recognize which teacher wrote this?

Teacher Su Tong's inscription is similar to Liu Qingbang's: "Good mountains, good waters, good place," only the last two characters differ—one is "atmosphere," the other "place."

Teacher Li Rong's inscription is very simple, just two characters: "Feishu" (splash down).

This inscription is covered with moss—can you recognize what characters it is?

This is the inscription of the famous writer Jia Pingwa. The calligraphy style is unique and hard to recognize. Yu Fan looked carefully for a long time and wrote it out for everyone to see if it's correct: "People and trees are both travelers, stones by springs gain friends. Distant mountains lightly wiped, empty cliffs high as if crumbling. Vanity leaves fall like fallen leaves, true reclusion who can see?" In just a few strokes, he vividly depicts the scenic features, local customs, and the author's reflection on vanity and his wise skepticism toward recluses. A master is indeed a master; we have to admire it.

Teacher Cao Wenxuan's inscription: "We should always remember that humans come from the forest." The implication is a call for everyone to protect forests and nature.

Teacher Chi Zijian's inscription: "In the flowing water of mountains and rivers, between the sun and moon of white clouds."

Teacher Xichuan's inscription: "Borrow the spirit of mountains and waters, to create beauty in the human world."

This contemporary famous writers' inscription stone forest features autograph inscriptions from over forty renowned writers. The ones shown in this article are just parts that Yu Fan randomly photographed while strolling. There are many more inscriptions scattered throughout the bird-singing and flower-fragrant forest oxygen bar. I believe behind each inscription lies a different story between the teacher and Baiyun Mountain, but what they share is their high praise for Baiyun Mountain, which proves that Baiyun Mountain's reputation as "China's Most Beautiful Place" is well-deserved.