Huashan Mountain
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.I’m your local guide Fay.Today we are going to climb the Huashan Mountain .Are you ready?OK let’s go ! Huashan Mountain stands in the south of Huayin County,120 kilometers east of Xi’an, with an altitude of 2,200 meters.With the Yellow River to the north and Qinling Mountain Range at the back to the south,Mt Huashan is always known for its precipitousne.There are five peaks of Mt Huashan: the Morning Sun Peak, the Lotus Flower Peak, the Jade Lady Peak, the Wild Goose-resting Peak and the Cloudy Terrace Peak.From a distance, these 5 peaks look like a lotus flower among the mountains, hence the name of Mount Hua, it has the same pronunce in Chinese means flower.As the saying goes “There has been only one path up Mt Huashan since the ancient times,”this road runs for some 20 kilometers, around five prominent peaks.The peaks and valleys are dotted with temples and pavilions, which are constantly clad in mist.Climebers feel as if they were making a tour of fairyland.Here we are at the entrance of the valley on the hillside north of Mt Huashan ,and we can see The Yuquan Garden, you may remember its name in Jade Spring Garden.It is the starting point to go to the top.Inside the garden there is a cool, sweet spring; hence its name “Jade Spring Garden”.The spring is said to come from an underground flow that runs from Jade Well in the Zhenyue Temple.The old pines border the winding paths, and give deep shade.Legend has it that Chen Tuan, a hermit in the Five Dynasty Period, built the gardens, terraces, tower and pavilions.Restoration was carried out during Emperor Qian Long’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, which makes the whole garden look nice and beautiful today.The stone tablets are inscribed with valuable calligraphy.And it will take about 10 kilometers on the path from Jade Spring Garden to Qingke Terrace.After a break, we’ll continue our way.Now we can see the North Peak is also called the Cloudy Terrace Peak.
As you go on your way from Qingke Terrace, you will soon pa a huge rock named “Turn Back”, and you will find yourself at the bottom of the thousand-foot Precipice.This Precipice is cut into the face of a nearly perpendicular cliff.The steps there are only toeholds, and you will have to grasp iron chains for support.The upper part of the precipice is shaped like an opening to a cave.A large sheet of iron could well block your way completetely, if it were placed there.To put it vividly, if one man were guarding the pa at this point, 1,000 people would be unable to get through.After the Hundred-foot Crevice, you ascend to Laojun’s Furrow.It is also cut into the cliff.You will feel that the furrow must be ascending right up into the sky.Nearly 500 steps are hewn up from the bottom part of the furrow.Legend has it that Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism, once drove his ox to this place and ploughed the furrow in only one night.At the end of the furrow, he is said to have hung his plough.By and by you will finally reach the North Peak .It is the only acce to the other four peaks.The North Peak has only one hill that leads to the south with three sides diconnected with anywhere, and it is fairly steep.Here again, you can see a few lonely temples.
The Canglong Ridge was also known as Ni Ridge or Jia Ridge in ancient times.It is 1,500 meters long and only one meter wide.This ridge winds up and down irregularly with its central part protruding into the air looks rather like the backbone of a carp.On either side of the ridge, cliff fall off into deep valleys.Looking acro into the distance, you will get a misty view of green pines and floating clouds.You will hear the sound of the wind roaring inti your ears.You may be so filled with apprehension and dizzine that you may fear to look at the view on either side.At the other end of the ridge is the Yishen Cliff, which is inscribed with five Chinese characters:”Han Yu Threw Down His Will”.The story goes that Han Yu, a Tang Dynasty poet, once reached this spot.He was in such fear that he concluded that his end was at hand and threw down his last will on that very spot.Fortunately, he was rescued.If you determines to ascend to Canglong Ridge, you cannot avoid the Ear-touching Cliff or the Heavenward Ladder on your way up.
Then we meet the Central Peak which called the Jade Lady Peak.Legen has it that Nong Yu, the daughter of King Mu of the Spring and Autumn Period, was so moved by the music which Xiao Shi, a hermit,played on a vertical bamboo flute, that she gave up living a happy and luxurious palace life, and together with Xiao Shi , flew here on the backs of a dragon and phoenix and lived in seclusion.The Jade Lady’s Cave, the Wash Basin, the Stone Dreing Table and the Phoenix Pavilion are what we can see there today.The East Peak is also called the Morning Sun Peak.It’s the best place from which to see the sunrise.On the side at one cliff there is the impreion of a huge colored in a mixture of blue and brown.The story goes like this:Mount Huashan was originally linked to the Zhongtiao Mountains.Together they blocked the flow of the Huanghe River.With his hand, the God of Strength split the mountain into two, and made a way for the river to pa, consequently leaving the print of his hand on the cliff.It’s known as “God’s Hand Print On Mount Hua”.It is the first among the Eight Scenic Attractions of the Central Shaanxi Plain.The South Peak is situated at an elevation of 2,200 meters.It towers over all other peaks on the mountain.The building on the South Peak is named the White Emperor’s Temple.According to the legend, Laojun’s Cave at the top is the very place where Lao Zi lived as a hermit.Because of the huge lotus flower-shaped rock which stands in front of the Cuiyun Temple at the top, the West Peak is known as Lotus Flower Peak.In accordance with the fairy tale “Lotus Lantern”, the West Peak is the Place where little ChenXiang, son of Holy Mother,split the moutain to rescue his mother.Close to Cuiyun Temple lies a huge rock which seems to have been split into two with an axe; hence its name “Split Rock with an Axe”.Not far off stands a long-handled axe which is said to have used by this filial son.At the top of the peak lies another prominent rock.It is called the Star-picking Rock.And Mt Hua is become more accesible to visitors with the aid of cable cars.In the past, Mt Huashan was regarded as mountain of dibinity and the temple, which lies 7 kilometers north of it,served as a place for the emperors of different dynasties to hold sacrificial ceremonies for the God of Mount Huashan.In 1988, this temple was categorized as national monument.The standards of the construction of the temple are so high that it looks like the
Imperial Palace of Beijing, hence the name “Small Imperial Palace”.According to this,it has become a favourable tourist attraction.
OK everyone ,so much for this today! We still have some free time..We’ll leave at 2 o’clock,so please don’t be late.You know I’ll mi you.And I’ll stay here,If you have any question, please ask me.By the way,watch your step please! So next, it’s you turn.You may look around and enjoy yourselves.Thank you for listening!
