|
Huashan
is situated in Huayin county, Shaanxi province, with the Wei River
to its north, and Qinling Mountains to the south. Its main peak
is over 2200 metres above sea level. Standing in a circle and
confronting each other, Huashan East, South, West, North and Central
Peaks resemble a colossal lotus flower in full blossom.
Incidentally, in ancient Chinese phraseology,
Huashan was also taken to mean Flower Mountain. Ever since ancient
times, Huashan is noted for being extremely magnificent and precipitous.
There is only one perilous passage to the summit.
Yuntai Peak (North Peak):
In laojunli gorge area, the path to the top
consists of some 570 steps with the steep cliffs on the one side
and the fathomless ravine on the other. The steel chain along
the path gives the mountain climbers an indispensable aid. With
all its three sides being perilous cliffs, the North Peak has
its only way out via the south ridge.
Qingkeping:
It is at a distance of 10 km from the mouth
of Huashan's valley. There the path twists and turns, ups and
downs between the grotesque cliffs, and the mountain streams course
their way about merrily, but now and then, all of a sudden, lose
its height to form a dashing water-fall with roaring sound.
Lianhua Peak (West Peak):
A spectacular peak rises vertically into the
sky. Viewed from its top, the terrains of Shanxi and Gansu spread
boundlessly, and Wei and Luo Rivers thread their ways across them
like two silver ribbons. In front of the Peak, reposes a green
dragon-shaped ridge called "Cengling". The Peak's west
side is a precipitous cliff, while the east side is a steep rocky
slope with a secluded dense forest close by. On the top of the
peak, stands a temple, with a huge rock shaped like a lotus flower
in front.
Chaoyang Peak (East Peak):
A fantastic sight too. On its top, there is
the "Sun Platform" for viewing the sun rise. About 700
metres away in the west direction, Luoyan Peak (Fallen Wild Goose
Peak) with perilous cliffs and tall pine trees, towers. Looking
southward, the Qinling Mountains with its high and low ridges
and peaks ripple like a vast sea. Looking downward, there is  a
vast expanse of plain, and the rivers, now hidden and now visible
are winding their way across the land.
Luoyan Peak (South Peak):
It is 2100 metres above sea level, the highest
peak of Huashan. On its top, is a water pond called some exquisite
inscriptions. Only travellers reaching here can claim they've
arrived at the real peak of perfection. Around, a fantastic view
presents itself before the eye: drifting sea of clouds hanging
over crowded peaks and ridges in the west; 800 Li flat land of
Central Shanxi Plain in the north, and to the east the Yellow
River in Tongguan area like a floating ribbon coming from a far.
|
|
