Discovering Beautiful China: Feel Poetry and the Distant Horizon, Journeying Through the Motherland Series 1 – Comprehensive Chapter (8) The Three Mountains and Five Great Mountains (Part 1)

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Anhui - Huangshan - Huangshan

Jiangxi - Jiujiang - Lushan

Zhejiang - Wenzhou - Yandangshan

Shandong - Tai'an - Dongyue Taishan

Shaanxi - Huayin - Xiyue Huashan

Hunan - Hengyang - Nanyue Hengshan

China is vast, with magnificent mountains and rivers. In the long history of Chinese civilization, numerous famous mountains have carried our brilliant culture. The 'Three Mountains and Five Great Mountains' are outstanding representatives, witnessing the growth of the Chinese nation and regarded by the Chinese as an important part of their homeland. With their unique and beautiful natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, they have become renowned tourist destinations, some even becoming World Heritage sites in China.

Moreover, 'Three Mountains and Five Great Mountains' is also an idiom, generally referring to all famous mountains across the land of China.

As for the 'Three Mountains,' there are three folk interpretations:

1. It refers to the three dragon veins in ancient Chinese mythology: the Himalayas (where Pangu separated heaven and earth, and Gonggong butted against Mount Buzhou), the Kunlun Mountains (where the Jade Emperor lived in Yujing Mountain, and Chang'e flew to the moon), and the Tianshan Mountains (where the Queen Mother of the West lived, and Nüwa smelted stones to patch the sky).

2. The three immortal mountains in Taoist legend: Penglai (Penghu), Fangzhangshan (Fanghu), and Yingzhou (Yinghu).

3. The three popular tourist mountains nowadays: Huangshan, Lushan, and Yandangshan.

The 'Five Great Mountains' refer to Eastern Great Mountain Taishan, Western Great Mountain Huashan, Southern Great Mountain Hengshan, Northern Great Mountain Hengshan, and Central Great Mountain Songshan.

Anhui - Huangshan - Huangshan

Jiangxi - Jiujiang - Lushan

Zhejiang - Wenzhou - Yandangshan

Shandong - Tai'an - Dongyue Taishan

Shaanxi - Huayin - Xiyue Huashan

Hunan - Hengyang - Nanyue Hengshan

Huangshan, located in Tangkou Town, Huangshan City, Anhui Province, is a national 5A-level scenic spot and a UNESCO World Heritage site for both cultural and natural heritages. It is called the most extraordinary mountain under heaven. The ancients had a saying: 'After visiting the Five Great Mountains, you won't be impressed by other mountains; after visiting Huangshan, you won't be impressed by the Five Great Mountains.' It is the most beautiful mountain among all famous mountains in China. Huangshan combines the best features of many famous mountains, both grand and precipitous. Nature's extraordinary craftsmanship created Huangshan's beauty, with its four wonders: peculiar pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds, and hot springs, renowned worldwide. The Welcoming-Guests Pine on the mountain is an iconic sight of Huangshan.

Anhui - Huangshan - Huangshan

1. Huangshan's scenery varies with each season, and it is beautiful year-round, making it suitable for travel any time.

2. Taking the cable car up and down the mountain saves energy. However, exploring the mountain still involves climbing many steps up and down, which can be tiring, so be mentally prepared.

3. The typical way to explore Huangshan is a two-day trip, staying one night on the mountain for a more relaxed itinerary. Sunrise is a must-see for visitors, and staying on the mountain makes it convenient to catch it.

4. Allocate extra time to visit the nearby UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites: the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun in southern Anhui.

Anhui - Huangshan - Huangshan

Lushan is located in Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, renowned for its grandeur, wonder, perilous cliffs, and beauty. It has long been acclaimed as 'the most beautiful mountain under heaven.' Su Shi's verse 'I don't know the true face of Lushan, only because I am in this mountain' fills people with longing. Lushan blends natural scenery with cultural significance; it is a mountain of political importance, and even more a sacred mountain of culture. Li Bai's line 'Flying down three thousand feet, it seems the Milky Way falls from the ninth heaven' attracts countless visitors to check in. Lushan is a World Cultural Landscape Heritage site, a Global Geopark, a national key scenic area, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and also a famous summer resort in China.

Jiangxi - Jiujiang - Lushan

1. During holidays, self-drivers can only park at the cable car parking lot and take the cable car up to Lushan. On regular days, you can drive up to Guling Town on the mountain or park at the east/west line checkpoints, but core scenic spots (like Wulao Peak, Sandie Spring, Hanpo Pass, Xianren Cave) are off-limits to vehicles.

2. Guling Town is the tourism hub of Lushan, where accommodation, dining, and shopping are all available. It is also the main station for sightseeing buses, making it easy to walk or take a bus to various attractions. Normally, a visit to Lushan requires one night in Guling Town; if time allows and you want a deeper exploration, two nights can be arranged.

3. The Lushan cable car is highly efficient, safe, comfortable, and fast—a great choice for transport up and down the mountain.

4. Hiking to view Sandie Spring is the most strenuous part of visiting Lushan; taking the cable car can save a lot of time and energy.

Jiangxi - Jiujiang - Lushan

Yandangshan is mainly located in Yueqing County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, with a small part in Taizhou City, Zhejiang. Known as 'the first mountain in Southeast China' and 'a famous mountain on the sea, unparalleled scenic beauty,' its name comes from the lake on its summit, thick with reeds forming a marsh where wild geese from the north often rest, hence the name Yandang (Reed Marsh Mountain). Historically one of the three famous mountains in China, it is now a national key scenic area. Major sights include the 'Three Wonders of Yandang': Lingfeng Peak, Lingyan Rock, and Dalongqiu Waterfall. Many literati have left poems and calligraphy here.

Zhejiang - Wenzhou - Yandangshan

1. Although the scenic spots are scattered, transportation within the area is convenient. Once you purchase a ticket, the shuttle bus will take you to any spot you wish to visit.

2. There are many guesthouses catering to all budgets. Staying near the scenic area entrance is very convenient for getting around.

Zhejiang - Wenzhou - Yandangshan