Yellow Mountain (mt.huangshan)

Because of its mists and clouds, natural scenery inrocks, the sea of clouds and the hot springs are the
the area changes beyond prediction. Xu Xiake, afour major attractions of the Yellow Mountains. As a
noted Chinese geologist and traveler in Ming Dynasty,matter of fact there are marvels almost
praised Huangshan Mountain as the best of alleverywhere, especially in the following scenic areas:
mountainsWenquan (Hot Spring), Yupinglou (Jade Screen
Yellow Mountain (Mt.Huangshan) in east China's AnhuiTower), Xihai ( West Sea), Beihai (North Sea),
province is one of Chinas ten best-known scenicYungusi (Cloud Valley Temple) and Songgu'an (Pine
spots, It is characterized by the four wonders,Valley Nunnery).
namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation,There is plentiful rainfall in Huangshan Mountain.
seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs.Therefore there are thick forests.Owing to the
Wu yue is the collective name given to China's mostpeculiar terrain, the Huangshan Mountain's climate is
important mountains, namely Mt. Taishan in Shandongmarked by a vertical change, and the vertical
Province, Mt. Huashan in Shaanxi Province, Mt.distribution of vegetation is also distinctive: plants on
Hengshan in Shanxi Province, Mt. Songshan in Henanthe summit, on the middle levels and at the foot
Province and Mt. Hengshan in Hunan Province. It isbelong to the frigid, temperate and subtropical zones
said that you won't want to visit any otherrespectively. There are more than 1500 species of
mountains after seeing wu yue but you won't wishplants, of which trees comprise one third. So the
to see even wu yue after returning from Mt.Huangshan Mountain occupy an important place in
Huangshan. This saying may give you some idea ofChina's botanical research. Here you will find
the beauty and uniqueness of Mt. Huangshan.century-old pines, firs, ginkgoes, actinidia, Chinese
Together with the Yellow River, the Yangtze Rivertorreyas and camphor woods, remnants of the glacial
and the Great Wall, Mt. Huangshan has become oneera. A number of trees are celebrated on account of
of the great symbols of China.their age, grotesque shape, or precipitously perched
Mount Huangshan extends 40 kilometers from southposition. Mount Huangshan abound in flowering plants;
to north and 30 kilometers from east to west,many of them are rare ones, such as Huangshan
covering an area of 1200 square kilometers, theRhododendron, magnolia as well as azalea, camellia,
highlights of which occupy 154 square kilometers.plum, lily, orchid, and so on. It has a rich store of
Huangshan Mountain is a marvel: within an area of 154medicinal herbs; more than 300 kinds are found here;
square kilometers there is a crowd of peaks, 72 ofthe notable ones being glossy ganoderma ginseng,
which have names indicating the shapes theyChinese gold thread rhizome and Chinese cinnamon.
resemble. Lotus, Brightness Top and Celestial CapitalMaofeng tea of Huangshan is well known at home
are the three major ones, all rising above 1,800and abroad.
meters above sea level. The mountains are a bodyHuangshan Mountains also provide the natural habitat
of granite, often with vertical joints. Erosion andfor a wide variety of fauna. Among the animals there
fracture contributed to shape the rocks into hugeare monkeys, goats, deer, pangolin and squirrels.
columns, giving rise to lofty peaks and deep ravines.There are rare birds such as the red-billed leiothrix,
When it is cloudy the pinnacles loom in mists as ifthe silver pheasant, the octave-tone bird and the
they were illusionary, while the sun is shining theyoriole, all good singers. The red-billed leiothrix (called
unfold in all their majesty and splendor. Huangshan"love birds" in Chinese) are so lovely that they have
Mountain change its color and appearance with thebecome favorites of foreign tourists and are
alternation of seasons. In spring blooming flowersexported by pairs. Besides, chukkar(stone frog) from
decorate the slopes in a riot of color and fill thethe streams is good to make delicious dishes with.
valleys with fragrance; in summer you see verdureMt. Huangshan's climate is mild and humid, neither too
peaks rising one upon another and hear springshot in summer nor too cold in winter, the
gurgling merrily. Autumn dresses the mountains in redtemperature is agreeable all the year round .
and purple as maples and some other trees areIt is cool in summer, averaging 70 °F at the North
blazing-red; winter turns them into a world of frostSea Area ( 1 ,630 meters above sea) and 80 °F at
and ice with silver boughs and rocks everywhere.Hot Spring Area (630 meters above sea) in July (the
Here in Huangshan, pines and rocks are intimatelyhottest month). As clouds often shut out the sun,
involved with each other, almost every rock has ahot weather never stays long, and this makes Yellow
pine tree growing out of the crevice, and every treeMountains an ideal summer resort.
has tortuous and gnarled roots and branches.The stillMt.Huangshan lies in subtropical zones, so it's not quiet
sea of snow-white cloud can suddenly begin to rollcold in winter, at least, not so cold as some people
and toss, rise or fall, gather or disperse while theexpected. The temperature ranges from 25 °F to
peaks emerge and disappear in the clouds like isles in40 °F, but it's enough to result in a fantastic snow
the ocean. So from ancient times it has beenscenery and a silver world with pines and precipitous
frequented by tourists seeking their mystery andpeaks covered with snow and decorated with icicles .
admiring their frequented by tourists seeking theirTickets:
mystery and admiring their scenery. They come toCNY 200 (Mar. 1-Nov.30)
the conclusion that the fantastic pines, the grotesqueCNY 120 (Dec.1-Feb.