Huangshan Mountain, literally translated to “Yellow Mountain,” is one of China’s most spectacular sights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a scenic area that covers more than 100 square miles (250 square kilometers). The mountains are characterized by their granite peaks and pine trees jutting out at odd angles. Many said that the movie Avatar has taken inspiration from the Huangshan mountain.

To be honest, I have forgotten the trail name of our hike. What I do remember is we stay in HuangShan city and took a taxi from the city to the cable car station (1 h trip) to take us up for this hike.

This is the starting point of our hike. Our trekking will bring us from Mercy Light Pavilion, pass the Jade Screen Peak, take in the infamous Greeting Guest Pine (at 1,000 years old), get on top of the highest peak – Lotus Peak, experience the One hundred Ladders.

30 min later, we reached to the 1st stop…Brightness top, 1800 m above sea level. The sun was shinning bright above our head, yet we still felt pretty cold when the wind brow. Thus, the boys refused to take off their outfit thought we think they were a bit over-wrapped.   Of HuangShan’s many peaks, the 3 most widely known are the Lotus Peak, the Brilliant Top Mountain, and the Celestial Capital, all of which rise a stunning 1800 m above sea level.    

The famous Lotus Peak.The difficulty level to go up to its peak is high, so we didn’t bother to give it a try. There is a hotel built on the peak (on left hand side). It looks like an impossible architecture.      

Lotus Peak as backdrop. Lotus Peak is the highest peak in HuangShan mountain, with an elevation of 1864 m. The outstanding central peak is surrounded by small peaks, forming a pattern like a lotus blossoming towards the sky.

Then the path ahead us had revealed itself…terror ! HuangShan is known for its stone steps carved into the side of the mountain, of which there may be more than 60,000 throughout the area. The date at which work on the steps began is unknown, but it’s said to be over 1500 years old.    

When I heard another tour guide said the things that we should get to see from this rock wall, I started to feel frustrating. She said the 4 main characters, in the famous legendary novel, “Journey to the West” had all shown up in this rock wall.   She pointed here and there, and said that’s Sun Wukong (the Monkey God), Zhu Bajie (the pig) and Sha Wujing (monk), and their master, Tang Sanzang. WTH, I saw none of them. Aren’t their visual imaginary is too hey wired?     

Met a beautiful pine tree along the way. Many of the area’s pine trees are more than 100 years old and have been given their own names. The pines vary greatly in shape and size, with the most crooked of the trees being considered the most attractive.

In order to protect this tree, the authorities had secluded the area. Tourists would need to take turn to take their photos with the tree.   I have no objection about lining up, but the people in front of us wanted to make so many different weird poses in front of the trees, like they are super model or what. That really made me boiled and made us laugh at the same time  

Also, the place is too crowded and the people is too noisy that had totally spoil its tranquility. Another weird thing is, we didn’t get to see many foreigners here, I mean the Westerner. Throughout the whole 8-hour journey, we saw less than 5 Westerner. I wonder why? In summary, the trip was a good one. It can be better if only all the visitors could keep their volume down and appreciate the view quietly.