China (1,864 m) – China’s Most Iconic Mountain
Huangshan is not one of China’s great mountains of the Himalayas, or listed among its most sacred peaks. However, it is without peer China’s most iconic and beloved mountain. Technically a chain of mountains, the jagged peaks of Huangshan are world famous as the most depicted natural feature in centuries of Chinese art. Rising to the sky above a sea of clouds, Huangshan means “Yellow Mountain”.
Originally known as Mount Yi, this mountainous region was closely tied in legend to Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, for whom it was later renamed. As the story goes, it was from here that Huang Di ascended to Heaven. Huangshan became a popular travel destination as far back as the Tang dynasty in the 8th century, and has since been an all-but-mandatory stop for artists and poets. The mountain has been captured in countless thousands of poems and works of art.
Huangshan is located inland from the densely populated coastal areas. Although Shanghai is 200 miles to the east, direct rail service brings visitors straight to the mountain. The area around Huangshan has been redeveloped to accommodate the millions of annual visitors to the mountain, and there miles of paths, thousands of steps and rest houses and hotels to serve the region. One of Huangshan’s most popular stops is the Welcome Pine, an ancient cliff side tree overlooking a spectacular view.
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