Encountering Grand China: Savoring Poetry and Distant Lands – Journeying Across the Motherland (Series 1) Comprehensive Chapter (9) Three Mountains and Five Great Mountains (Part 2)

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Anhui - Huangshan - Huangshan

Jiangxi - Jiujiang - Lushan

Zhejiang - Wenzhou - Yandangshan

Shandong - Tai'an - Mount Tai

Shaanxi - Huayin - Mount Hua

Hunan - Hengyang - Mount Heng (Nanyue)

China's 'Three Mountains and Five Great Mountains' are scattered across the land, some stretching for thousands of miles with enchanting beauty; others towering majestically above the earth. The 'Three Mountains' are lands of ancient Chinese legends; the 'Five Great Mountains' are cradles of Chinese cultural prosperity. Together, they are the cradle of the Chinese nation, where ancestors first settled, and hold great significance for the study and development of Chinese history and culture.

The 'Three Mountains' refer to Huangshan in Anhui, Lushan in Jiangxi, and Yandangshan in Zhejiang.

The 'Five Great Mountains' are Mount Tai in the east, Mount Hua in the west, Mount Heng in the south, Mount Heng in the north, and Mount Song in the center. They are named according to their cardinal directions relative to the Central Plains.

Anhui - Huangshan - Huangshan

Jiangxi - Jiujiang - Lushan

Zhejiang - Wenzhou - Yandangshan

Shaanxi - Huayin - Mount Hua

Shandong - Tai'an - Mount Tai

Hunan - Hengyang - Mount Heng (Nanyue)

Mount Tai Scenic Area is located in Taishan District, Tai'an City, Shandong Province. Mount Tai is majestic, magnificent, and awe-inspiring. Since ancient times, it has been one of China's most famous mountains, praised as the foremost of the Five Great Mountains, and is a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

The peaks of Mount Tai are steep and soaring, with spectacular natural scenery. The mountain is also rich in historical relics, stone inscriptions, and religious temples. In spring, the mountaintop is blanketed with blooming flowers; in summer, the summit is lush green and pleasantly cool; in autumn, the mountain forests are painted with brilliant reds and yellows; and in winter, occasional rime ice creates a dazzling spectacle.

Shandong - Tai'an - Mount Tai

1. After years of operation, Mount Tai has been developed into a very mature tourist destination. Visitors can ascend the mountain by various means—on foot or by cable car or shuttle bus, whichever they prefer. Choosing the cable car and shuttle bus allows you to reach the summit effortlessly and quickly. For those who hike, there are several trail routes to choose from.

2. Many tourists who wish to watch the sunrise choose to climb Mount Tai at night. The Red Gate Visitor Center (the entrance for the classic hiking trail) is one of the few scenic spots in the country open 24 hours a day.

3. If time and conditions permit, spending a night on the mountain is a great option. Near Tianjie (Heavenly Street) and the South Heavenly Gate, there are several inns and hotels available for accommodation.

4. If you plan to hike up, you need sufficient physical strength, endurance, perseverance, and mental preparedness. Buying a trekking pole for a small fee at the base of the mountain will be a big help.

Shandong - Tai'an - Mount Tai

Mount Hua is located in Huayin City, Shaanxi Province. Also known as Taihua Mountain, it is the birthplace of Chinese civilization—the 'Hua' in 'Zhonghua' and 'Huaxia' originates from Mount Hua. 'Precipitous and perilous' capture the essence of Mount Hua's scenery. The saying 'Since ancient times, there has been only one path up Mount Hua' describes its ruggedness. The scenic area features many thrilling attractions, such as the Plank Walk in the Sky, the Sparrow Hawk's Flip, and the Thousand-Foot Steep Channel, Hundred-Foot Gorge, and Laojun's Furrow carved into the sheer cliffs. Those who visit are left in awe.

Mount Hua covers a vast area, with the main peak area being its core, which includes the 'one path up Hua' and the five main peaks of east, west, south, north, and center. Most visitors head for the main peak area.

Shaanxi - Huayin - Mount Hua

1. Mount Hua's main peak stands at 2,160 meters above sea level, making it the steepest of the Five Great Mountains and one of the most challenging climbs. Thus, ascending Mount Hua is not only a test of will but also a physical challenge—be fully prepared mentally.

2. Mount Hua has two cable car lines: one reaching the North Peak and the other to the West Peak. 'Up via the West Peak, down via the North Peak' is the route most visitors choose for a day trip. Taking the West Peak cable car up and the North Peak cable car down, this classic one-day route takes about 5–8 hours, covers most attractions without backtracking.

3. During the climb, there are many steep stairways, so be sure to wear comfortable athletic or hiking shoes. Additionally, gloves and trekking poles may be prepared according to personal needs.

Shaanxi - Huayin - Mount Hua

Mount Heng (South) is located in Nanyue District, Hengyang City, Hunan Province. Its highest peak, Zhurong Peak, stands at about 1,300 meters. Among the Five Great Mountains, its southern location gives it a milder climate, keeping the mountains lush and green all year round, earning it the title 'the most beautiful of the Five Great Mountains'.

The famous Chinese phrase 'May your life be as long as the Southern Mountain' refers to Mount Heng (Nanyue). It is one of China's first national key scenic areas, a 5A-level tourist attraction, a national nature reserve, and a national dual natural and cultural heritage site.

Hunan - Hengyang - Mount Heng (Nanyue)

1. From the visitor center, the shuttle bus ride up the mountain takes 40–50 minutes. Walking from the South Heavenly Gate to Zhurong Peak takes about an hour. A round trip, including transportation, walking, and sightseeing, requires at least 4–5 hours.

2. Near the South Heavenly Gate, there are sedan chair bearers who can carry visitors up the mountain. If climbing is too difficult, you can hire a sedan chair for a fee.

3. The Nanyue Temple in Nanyue Town at the foot of Mount Heng is a large palace-style ancient architectural complex in southern China. With its grand scale and strong religious atmosphere, it is a must-visit for most tourists to Mount Heng.

Hunan - Hengyang - Mount Heng (Nanyue)

Mount Heng (North) is located south of Hunyuan County, Datong City. The scenic area includes Tianfengling, Cuipingfeng, and Qianfoling areas. Beyond its beautiful landscapes, Mount Heng is also an important cradle of Taoism, with many Taoist temples. Legend has it that Zhang Guolao, one of the Eight Immortals, attained the Tao here.

The Hanging Temple, a thousand-year-old monastery. At the foot of Mount Heng, you can see from afar the temple suspended halfway up the cliff—a building perched above a dizzying abyss. The entire complex hangs on the steep cliff face, ingeniously built into the rock's contours, creating a well-proportioned and architecturally unique sight. As the saying goes, 'The Hanging Temple, halfway to heaven, suspended by three horse tails.' Known for its perilous, cliff-edge location, it is a unique temple integrating Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and a key national cultural relic protection site.

Shanxi - Datong - Mount Heng (Beiyue)

1. When visiting Mount Heng, it's typical to first explore the Hanging Temple at Cuipingfeng, then proceed to Tianfengling to visit the Taoist architectural complex and climb to the summit for panoramic views.

2. The Hanging Temple, set in the cliffs of Cuipingfeng in Jinlong Gorge, was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (over 1,500 years ago). It is one of China's earliest and best-preserved high-altitude wooden cliffside structures, well worth a visit.

3. If you take the cable car, you can tour Mount Heng in just over half a day, and the summit climb is relatively easy and not too tiring—though the cable car ticket is a bit pricey.

Shanxi - Datong - Mount Heng (Beiyue)

Mount Song Scenic Area is located in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, also known as the Mount Song Shaolin Scenic Area. Mount Song consists of Taishi Mountain and Shaoshi Mountain, stretching along the south bank of the Yellow River. It boasts magnificent natural scenery like Sanhuang Village and Junji Peak, serves as a vital birthplace of Chinese civilization, and is a national scenic area and a UNESCO Global Geopark. The mountain is home to many renowned temples: the grand Zhongyue Temple and Songyang Academy, one of the four great ancient academies, are both found here.

Henan - Dengfeng - Mount Song

1. Currently, the entire Mount Song scenic area is divided into three main zones: the Shaolin, Songyang, and Zhongyue areas, with Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy, and Zhongyue Temple as their respective core attractions.

2. The various zones and sites are quite far apart. For visitors short on time, it's a good idea to pick core attractions based on personal interests, saving both time and energy.

Henan - Dengfeng - Mount Song