THE YELLOW MOUNTAINS (HUANGSHAN)

August 05, 2016

The spectacular scenery of the Yellow Mountains is like something out of a Chinese water painting. And it is the scenery that often brings so many travelers into this rugged part of the world. This trip has been in my head for the past few years, especially since I had set my sights on China. Combine that with my love of nature I just had to come.

Ancient Chinese named the Yellow Mountains after the Yellow Emperor. Legends hold that he ruled for 100 years from around 2,700 to 2,600 B.C. UNESCO has listed the Yellow Mountains as a World Heritage Site since 1990 because of its history and beauty.

Hiking the Yellow Mountains

Brought together in the Yellow Mountains are the wonders of the natural world. As I look around, I find the legendary Greeting Guest Pines towering over me. Combine that with the oddly fashioned rocks which give shape to the mountains. We climb for an hour and a half which seems to be a short time. This is because the seas of clouds are taking all of my attention. Stopping to take photos, I find it hard to believe I am not dreaming.

Yellow-moutains-Haungshan

Making our way slowly to the finishing point of today’s hike, we come to an end at Celestial Capital Peak. Once we get to the lookout, though, my fatigue somewhat leaves me as the wondrous views and rock formations are even better than the journey up.

The “Springs of Youth”

We then head off to the famous hot springs. The Chinese royalty have enjoyed these hot springs for thousands of years. Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor was one of the first to bath in these hot springs. The ancients believed this made him become younger. For this reason, locals refer to them as the “Springs of Youth”. As I enter the hot springs, the hot water slowly envelops me and I feel the stress and strain of today’s hike begin to vanish. Tomorrow I must make a point of returning here and once again relaxing in the beauty that is offered within the Yellow Mountains.