Heyuan Huo Mountain — The Beauty of Misty Rain

Huo Mountain is located in Longchuan County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province.

We set off from downtown Meizhou, and the navigation provided several route options for us to consider. Of course, the expressway was the first recommendation. We first took the Changshen Expressway to Xingning, then transferred to the Jiguang Expressway and exited at Yetang. After exiting the expressway, we followed the county road for dozens of kilometers to reach the entrance of Huo Mountain Scenic Area. The county road was naturally winding and twisting; we couldn't drive fast, nor was it easy to overtake. If there was a car ahead, we could only follow slowly behind. Of course, driving slowly is the safe and reliable way. The navigation nowadays is incredibly precise, clearly indicating every uphill, downhill, and turn. After a one-hour-and-forty-minute drive, we arrived at the main gate of Huo Mountain.

The ticket price for Huo Mountain was quite reasonable and offered great value for money; seniors over 60 and students could get discounted tickets—such a considerate scenic area. After buying the tickets, we drove about 800 meters further uphill to the parking lot, where there was an uphill ticket checkpoint. After passing the checkpoint, we began climbing a set of steps. After about 15 minutes of walking, we arrived at Lingshan Temple, and then the real scenery unfolded before us.

To the left was a temple, and to the right was a Homesickness Pavilion. We walked straight ahead. There was a map at the ticket office, which provided guidance for the visiting route. Once inside the scenic area, Danxia landforms could be seen everywhere, with small upright peaks standing before our eyes.

As we walked along the plank road, beautiful scenery could be enjoyed all around.

Such a road built halfway up the mountain must have required an enormous amount of hard work and sweat.

A little tour guide holding a guide map.

The cableway above was for transporting materials, not people. Huo Mountain does not have a passenger cable car.

This was the Yixiantian (A Crack in the Sky) scenic spot. It seems that Danxia landforms always have a Yixiantian area.

As we walked, we arrived at the in-park attraction—the Magic Carpet. This ride required an additional fee. People sat on the carpet, which transported them uphill, saving them from climbing steep steps. It was suitable for the elderly and young children, but unnecessary for ordinary people, as it wasn't very fun and there weren't many steps to climb anyway.

This was the Magic Carpet.

View of the Magic Carpet from the uphill path beside it.

If you didn't take the Magic Carpet, you climbed these steps.

These steps were indeed a bit steep, but with railings for protection, they were still very safe.

After exiting the Magic Carpet, we prepared to walk the Glass Plank Road. The Glass Bridge required an additional fee, but I had bought a combo ticket that already included it. After ticket inspection, we put on shoe covers and stepped onto the bridge. Although the Glass Plank Road was not long, it was extremely high—very high. Just looking at it made me terrified and my heart race.

Shoe covers were required to step onto the Glass Bridge.

The glass was still very clear.

I walked with trembling fear, while children walked on it as if on flat ground.

Me pretending to be calm.

It looked very high, but the photos didn't capture the effect well.

Strong wind warning: do not use umbrellas.

Looking out from the Glass Bridge, it was indeed extremely high, very high.

Glass City; on the left there should be glass with a shattering effect, but since it was raining, it was not in operation.

We finished walking the Glass Bridge.

This had the feeling of Danxia Mountain.

Let's take a parent-child photo.

At noon, a sudden downpour came with thunder and lightning.

The plank road suspended in mid-air.

With time and effort, an iron rod can be ground into a needle.

That set of steps was the road I originally climbed. The Glass Bridge circled around the mountain. When we reached the mountaintop, it was lunchtime. There were few places to buy food on the mountain, but luckily there was a small shop selling frozen noodles, instant noodles, and congee. We were starving, so we had to settle for some instant noodles or congee. Although the prices were a bit higher, transporting supplies up here was not easy—they carried everything up bit by bit, very hard work.

Large rocks were a good place to take shelter from the rain.

The mountain after the rain, amidst clouds and mist.

For our trip, we were well-prepared. Besides hats and umbrellas, we also had raincoats to shield us from the wind and rain.

Everywhere were holes, gullies, and caves.

Is this considered a Yixiantian?

The road suspended in mid-air.

Plank roads covered almost the entire scenic area.

The newly built Huo Mountain Pavilion, not even on the guide map.

Rocks with various names—it's up to personal interpretation.

After the rain, viewing flowers in the mist on Huo Mountain.

The tourist route on Huo Mountain was quite reasonable, with no backtracking needed. You could walk every plank road and enjoy every aspect of Huo Mountain's beauty. The highest point of Huo Mountain is at Boat Head Rock, which is the place you go up after finishing the Glass Bridge. It takes less than a ten-minute walk to reach the summit. I did not go there because just as I was about to ascend, a fierce storm struck with heavy rain and thunder and lightning, posing a safety risk for climbing the highest peak.

Although Huo Mountain is very close to me, this was my first time visiting. It is more convenient to drive there by yourself; taking public transport might be more complicated. The beauty of Huo Mountain is worth seeing and savoring. On this trip, we experienced both scorching sun and torrential rain, witnessing two kinds of beauty in one visit.