There are such amazing places in the world that they seem to be invented by science fiction writers. It seems that they can only exist on cinema screens or in the imagination of great dreamers. However, these objects are real, you can touch them and see with your own eyes. One of them is Mount Huashan, the same one that inspired the ingenious director to create a unique world called Pandora.
Mountains from the Hollywood blockbuster
These mountains of China began to cause intense interest after the release of the movie masterpiece of D. Cameron's Avatar. After all, the Yellow Mountains (the name Huangshan is translated into Russian) were the prototype of sheer cliffs that floated in the air. Mount Huashan is one of them. Its name translates as “Flower peak” or “Mountain-flower”. And all because it is surrounded by five peaks, which in plan create an array resembling a flower. All of them are considered sacred in Taoism. And their name is quite simple: Central Mountain, Southern, Northern, Western and Eastern.
This peak is located near the town of Huayin (Shaanxi Province) and is part of Zhangjiajie National Park. It is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, from which it is breathtaking, with sheer stone walls densely covered with pine forest.
It is interesting that you can climb to the top even without being a climber and without special equipment. Tourists need only desire and not be afraid of heights.
Most visited place
There are many mountains similar to this one in the Celestial Empire. But only Huashan is the most popular. Firstly, because it is a sacred place of Taoism, has a unique shape and many attractions. Secondly, because it is easily accessible by bus or train from Beijing. And thirdly, it is popular due to the extreme Death Path, cable car and the ability to choose several routes at once.
Entertainment for extreme sports
Mount Huashan is a favorite place for tourists, but most often they choose its southern peak. Another name for this part of the peak is the Falling Goose Peak, it is here that there is another attraction of China with a gloomy name - the Death Path. This is not just an advertising move to tickle the gullible travelers nerves, it is really an extreme way, which is warned by both instructors and a sign.
Mount Huashan is very beautiful! The route of Death will allow you to enjoy its delights from a bird's eye view. It is a narrow path at an altitude of 2160 meters. Set among steep cliffs polished for centuries, by the sun and rain, it repeats the curves of the mountains. Paved with rough boards, it does not have a fence or railing, there are only chains for which you can hold. Having entered the path, the tourist is forced to go to the end, since it is impossible for two people to miss each other on it.
Some interesting information
The sacred mountain Huashan was first conquered by hermits. About seven centuries ago, in search of immortality, they climbed to the divine peak, making their way. In those days, there were no chains; then they were attached specifically for tourists.
And today, Taoist believers rise to the top to make a pilgrimage. Usually they walk, not climb the cable car. At the top they spend the night, and the next day they quietly go around all five peaks, pray in temples and visit caves. Ordinary travelers have the opportunity to stay at any of the guest houses that are available at almost every peak.
Daredevil reward
The yellow mountains of China are dangerous, but the daredevil's efforts will be rewarded. From a bird's eye view you can admire the beauties of emerald mountains drowning in a haze of fog against the backdrop of an endless azure sky. Amazing temples, pagodas, Taoist monasteries, bridges and gates are found along the way. At the end of the route, you can visit Huashan Caves. This is a man-made miracle, cut down right in the steep cliffs more than thirteen centuries ago. It is not precisely established who, why, and how did this titanic work, where the mass of stones was transported, and why this is not mentioned in any chronicle of the Celestial Empire.
Another mystery of this place is that the caves are located on the thirtieth parallel. The very one on which such mystical objects as the Bermuda Triangle, the Egyptian Pyramids and the mysterious Mount Kailash in Tibet "registered".
Other features of the mountain
Sunrise Peak is an ideal place to admire the sunrise. To get on time, you should go back in the evening. At the top near the Cave of Dawn, you can put up a tent, and then go along a narrow path over the abyss (Dragon's Ribs) to a small pagoda. Here the traveler has the opportunity to tie a ribbon or hang a castle for good luck and happiness.
Tourists arriving in China visit Huashan first thing. The inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom call the northern part of the mountain Peak, propping up the clouds. There are two ways to climb it: by cable car in twenty minutes or by stairs of three thousand steps. The path to it runs past the Cliff of the Sun and the Moon and the amazing Peak of the dark green dragon. It will take about three hours to climb.
Amazing beauties are revealed to the traveler who stopped at the Peak of the Lotus Flower (western). After admiring plenty, here you can eat traditional Chinese noodles and drink jasmine tea.
Some useful tips
The best time of the year to visit this wonder of the world is September. It is at the beginning of autumn that the nature here is especially picturesque and rich in colors. In general, you can come to the Yellow Mountains from May to October. Although there are daredevils who want to conquer a unique mountain in the winter. True, there are very few of them.
The journey itself can hardly be called affordable. The cost of the road to the mountain and back will cost a rather big smmu - about three hundred yuan. At the foot of the guests there is a funicular that takes guests to the top of the Central Peak. Further, like the petals of a strange flower, the roads diverge to the other four peaks. Here all the routes on the mountain begin. You will need to pay separately for the cable car, and for the right to enter the territory of the national park, and for overnight.
Worth to be seen, Mount Huashan is very good! How to get to it, we will tell further. Tourists need to catch a minibus that leaves from Xi'an Bus Station. In about three or four hours, the bus travels 240 kilometers and takes you to your destination. You can also take the train: you need to get off at the Luoyang station, and there you will already transfer to the minibus, next to the foot of Huashan.
Instead of an afterword
China is a country of ancient history and culture, mysteries and philosophy. This is a special world, which is located on the background of fantastic nature. There is something to see the traveler. We have already talked about the Blooming peak - Mount Huashan. Taoists believe that a person who has visited all five peaks of this mountain can achieve enlightenment. Just 120 km from it you can visit the ancient Chinese capital - the city of Xi'an. In its suburbs, the tomb of Emperor Qin Shihuang is still preserved, in which the famous army of terracotta warriors, the neolithic village of Banpo, the defensive wall, two towers and the same number of ancient pagodas, the palace of Emperor Tang (restored) with the emerald Lotus Lot around are found.
In Beijing, the modern capital of China, it is worth visiting the Forbidden or Purple City. Also worth attention are the Great Wall of China, the Shaolin Monastery, the Potala Palace, the Big Buddha in Hong Kong, and the Mountain Fort in Macau.
Have a nice trip to the Middle Kingdom!