As 2020 Fades, a Memorable 'Cattle Man Cattle Hike' New Year Hiking Event Heats Up at Heyuan Yuewang Mountain, Guangdong!

Another new year arrives.

Whether you are full of ambition or filled with worry,

you will have to face it.

Everyone knows that success won't come to you on its own;

you must walk toward success yourself.

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Life's journey, rushing about for a living, is always hurried. In the year 2020, the Year of the Gengzi Rat, I had a wish: to visit a famous scenic spot—Yuewang Mountain in Heyuan, Guangdong.

One weekend before New Year's Day 2021, I made up my mind to take a bus from the Dabie Mountains in Henan straight to Yuewang Mountain in Heyuan, Guangdong.

Over mountains and rivers, I traveled with the train. Along the Beijing-Kowloon Railway artery, the train sped south across the land of China, reaching the Yuewang Mountain scenic area in Heyuan, Guangdong from Xinyang, Henan in one day.

Yuewang Mountain, a long-admired place, and my friend Xiao Song, who stood at the entrance of the scenic area eagerly awaiting my arrival. He works at Yuewang Mountain scenic area and knows I love writing. Over the past year, I had also hoped to come and appreciate the beauty of Yuewang Mountain and taste its delicious food.

As a guest, I followed my host's arrangements; my friend naturally acted as host and guide, and everything went as he arranged. The vast and beautiful Yuewang Mountain scenic area welcomes every visitor with warm arms. When you step in, the scenic area, like a mother, calmly brushes away your travel dust and fatigue.

Xiao Song introduced: 'Yuewang Mountain is located in Zijin County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, with very convenient transportation. The main peak is 316 meters above sea level.' I looked up and saw that the mountain is as steep as if cut by a knife on all sides. Although it was already winter, the trees throughout the scenic area remained lush and verdant, surrounded by clear water with rippling waves. Looking from a distance, the main peak of Yuewang Mountain stands amidst the clusters of mountains, like a great king under the guard of his soldiers, surveying the vast lands on both sides of the Dongjiang River, protecting the land of China. This is a majestic mountain with a kingly air, like a hard backbone of the nation, lofty and upright.

The rich history and origins of the scenic area were my primary reason for this trip. Xiao Song continued: 'Tracing the history of Yuewang Mountain, it is truly ancient and precious. The name Yuewang Mountain itself is a moving story, also interpreting vicissitudes and stirring times.'

According to legend, long ago when Xiang Yu and Liu Bang were contending for supremacy, Zhao Tuo (c. 230 BC – 137 BC), the magistrate of Longchuan County, was summoned by the seriously ill Ren Xiao, the Prefect of Nanhai Commandery, and traveled south along the river to Panyu. Passing by Guzhu, he saw Yuewang Mountain rising abruptly, majestic and imposing. Zhao Tuo, who had always had great ambitions, was moved and went up the mountain to tour. Under a steep cliff, Zhao Tuo looked around, his heroic spirit surged. Facing the stone wall, he calmly analyzed the situation of the world and felt the time was ripe, so he resolved to proclaim himself king. Later, entrusted by Ren Xiao, he assumed the authority of the Nanhai Commandery Prefect, and also annexed Xiang Commandery and Guilin Commandery. Eventually, he was appointed King of Nanyue by Liu Bang, who unified the world. On present-day Yuewang Mountain, there are still relics such as Qiankun Stone, Face-the-Cliff Rock, Ancient Village Gate, and Blacksmith Field.'

'The hero has gone, but he still lives.' Standing before Zhao Tuo's stele, listening to the explanation and carefully reading the inscription, I was deeply moved by Zhao Tuo's legendary story. From it, I also learned that Yuewang Mountain has a series of historical relics related to the King of Nanyue. While touring Yuewang Mountain, my thoughts crossed the space-time of history, thinking of the tales of this legendary King of Nanyue and stepping on the land where ancestors once fought, filled with pride. Through the mist of history, stepping into Yuewang Mountain, I seemed to see a magnificent, earth-shaking historical scroll and hear a passionate national movement.

Being in the Yuewang Mountain scenic area, I deeply felt the harmonious beauty of 'every step a view, and views within views.' The scenic area is well laid out with complete architectural structures, unique and grand attractions that are neither showy nor ostentatious, displaying pleasing scenery and smooth accessibility. Walking along the mountain's circular trail, which totals over ten kilometers, I could revisit the joy of the journey and forget the hardships of climbing. This wooden plank road consists of wooden boardwalks and red stone paths, winding through deep valleys, beside cliffs, and on ridges.

Whether a scenic area has selling points that make visitors remember at every step depends on it being true mountains and true waters, not castles in the air. Yuewang Mountain is genuine mountains and waters, and its legends are also highly attractive. The rich human spirit not only adds cultural depth to the scenic area but also provides spiritual support for the mountain. This is the essential reason why Yuewang Mountain attracts visitors from afar, including my longing to come thousands of miles just to see its charm. And the biggest selling point on Yuewang Mountain is—rock climbing, challenging oneself, where visitors can personally experience the thrilling project of clinging to the rock face like a gecko, gaining a sense of rebirth in dangerous situations, and then sighing about the meaning of life. Only then can one understand the true meaning of 'natural selection, survival of the fittest.'

The wise actions of the people of Yuewang Mountain, combined with the greatness of the Creator, have shaped Yuewang Mountain. Taking advantage of the natural terrain, they have set up natural rock climbing walls. From a development perspective, to further attract visitors, this project is currently being improved and is temporarily closed. Visitors can understand, and I can understand even more.

But seeing this natural rock wall, I instantly felt the heroic spirit: 'A real man should come to Yuewang Mountain to challenge himself.' Not climbing at Yuewang Mountain is like a foreigner coming to China without visiting the Great Wall—there will always be regret. Perhaps in the near future, Yuewang Mountain scenic area can fulfill my wish to come back and climb.

Life is a practice. A person must always find a reason to live. No matter what kind of road, one must walk it eventually. So why not make the journey lighter and life more transparent? Life is a posture.

Travel is an experience. Standing at the foot of Yuewang Mountain, I felt very small. When I reached the highest point, the whole world became clear at a glance. Life does not require anyone to change for another; what is precious is to integrate and find resonance. The key is to let go.

The year 2020, the Gengzi year, whether good or bad, smooth or rough, will pass. New Year's Day 2021 will turn a new page. My unforgettable trip to Yuewang Mountain left me with deep attachment and wishes: may Yuewang Mountain scenic area get better and better, and may the country and its people be well.