Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian

On Huangshan Mountain, in southern Anhui Province, there are three towering peaks: Lianhua (Lotus Flower), Tiandu (Heavenly Capital), and Guangmingding (Brightness Top). The area of the three peaks was formerly believed to be the Heavenly Capital, where the Lord of Heaven lived. During the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), the mountain was called Yishan (Black Mountain) because all of its cliffs were black.

In June, 747, Tang Dynasty emperor Xuan Zong, a practitioner of Taoism, changed the name of the mountain to Huangshan because a Tang Dynasty book says that Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor) made his pills of immortality there. It took Huang Di 480 years to finish the pills, and after taking seven of them, he attained immortality and flew to heaven.

Huangshan Mountain has long been praised as the No.1 Mountain of Wonders on the Globe, the Magic Mountain, and a Paradise on Earth. It is gifted with all the natural charms found on other mountains in China. It is as imposing as Mount Taishan and as steep as Mount Huashan. It has the same seas of clouds as Mount Hengshan, a thundering waterfall like that of Mount Lushan, the coolness and quietness of Mount Emei, and rocks as spectacular as those of Mount Yandang. Marvelous, imposing, fascinating, and dangerously steep, it has distinctly shaped, jade-black peaks, and the top is enshrouded in mist and clouds all year round. The odd-shaped pines, spectacular rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs are famous as the Four Wonders of Huangshan.

The most fascinating of the wonders is the odd-shaped pines, such as the Reclining-Dragon Pine and the Phoenix Pine. Most of the pines grow out of rocky crevices on sheer cliffs or are scattered around the peaks. These pines have twisting branches, a green-black color, and thick needles with smooth ends. They are celebrated not only for their shapes but also for their longevity. It is said that many pines here are more than 100 years old and that some are even 1,000 years old, including the Guest-Greeting, Farewell, and Greeting-and-Introducing Pines and Pines in Love, all part of the Ten Ancient Pines of Huangshan Mountain. The Guest-Greeting Pine, in front of the Jade Screen Pavilion, has branches outstretched like arms welcoming the mountain-climbing guests and has become a symbol of the warm hospitality of the Chinese people.

Huangshan Mountain also has many unusual rocks, which form a marvelous picture with the peaks and odd-shaped pines. The rocks resemble humans, animals, birds, or other objects. The most notable rocks are Rooster Crowing at Dawn, Monkey Watching the Sea, and Squirrel Jumping into the Heavenly Capital, all named from beautiful legends.

There are always clouds and mist on Huangshan Mountain, and the seas of clouds provide spectacular sights, especially after a rain. As they move across the sky, the seas of clouds take on ever-changing looks. When the clouds dance lightly, they give the mountain a poetic charm, and when they surge forward in a strong wind, they offer a sight of imposing grandeur. The unpredictable beauty is beyond description. Only by personal experience can one realize the magnificence of this sight.

Impressed by the natural beauty, visitors often neglect the rich cultural content of Huangshan Mountain. The ancient streets, bridges, archways, and villages all have their unique charms, not mention the 200 stone engravings on the cliffs and the beauty they add to the natural wonder of Huangshan.

The mountain has a strong association with religion. The name of the mountain together with the names of the two peaks, Xuanyuan and Rongcheng, show a Taoist influence. Buddhism spread to the Huangshan area during the Song Dynasty (420-479) of the Southern Dynasties (420-589) and nearly 100 monasteries and nunneries were built on the mountain. Many of the monks became poets and painters.

It is estimated that 100 works of prose and 20,000 poems about Huangshan Mountain have been written, and the paintings of the mountain created the most splendid chapter of all in the history of Chinese painting.

Huangshan Mountain is beautiful in an all-round way. “The natural beauty and culture of Huangshan are rare in the world,” said an official from the World Heritage Project during his trip to Huangshan. “Of all the mountains I have visited, Huangshan is the most special and marvelous.”