Huang Shan Huáng Shān 黄山

◀ Huang (Yellow) River Comprehensive index starts in volume 5, page 2667.

Located in southern Anhui Province, Huang Shan is one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in China. For thousands of years, Huang Shan has inspired literati, artists, pilgrims, and travelers. With seventy-seven peaks over one thousand meters, Huang Shan features qisong (“astonishing pines”), guaishi (“peculiar rocks”), yunhai (“sea of clouds”), and wenquan (“hot springs”).

uang Shan (literally meaning “Yellow Moun- tain”) is one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in China, offering landscape views as stunning as those depicted in traditional Chinese paintings. Located in southern Anhui Province in east central China, Huang Shan contains seventy- seven peaks over one thousand meters, twenty-four streams, two lakes, and three waterfalls. The range covers a core area of 154 square kilometers with a buffer zone of 142 square kilometers. Though not listed among the famous Wuyue, or “Five Great Mountains” (Mount Tai in the east of the country, Mount Heng in the north, Mount Hua in the west, Mount Song in the center, and Mount Heng in the south), the Huang (Yellow) Shan is one of the most spectacu- stature of Huang Shan’s beauty is not to be denied. The lar mountain ranges in China, offering true land- renowned geographer and traveler Xu Xiake (1587–1641) scape views just as stunning as those depicted once praised the magnificence of Huang Shan: “Not a in traditional Chinese paintings. Photo by Joan mountain in the world is like Huang Shan of Anhui. There Lebold Cohen. would be no mountains to climb after ascending Huang 1089

Shan. Sightseeing stops here.” A popular saying has thus clock against manmade and natural disasters by a series followed: Wuyue guilai bu kan shan, Huang Shan guilai bu of bodyguards since 1983. kan yue (“Upon returning from Wuyue, one does not want The mountains are rife with peculiar granite rocks of to visit any mountains; upon returning from Huang Shan, many shapes, some named after plants or animals, some one does not even wish to see Wuyue”). after legends. Lianhua Feng (“Lotus Flower Peak”) is Huang Shan features qisong (“astonishing pines”), the highest among the three major peaks; the others are guaishi (“peculiar rocks”), yunhai (“sea of clouds”), and Tiandu Feng (“Celestial Capital Peak”) and Guangming wenquan (“hot springs”). Pine trees are scattered amid Ding (“Bright Summit Peak”). More than 1,800 meters steep slopes and precipitous cliffs, many of which are mil- high, these peaks are often above the clouds. lennia old. Yingkesong (“Guest-Greeting Pine”), stretch- The mountains are known for their unusual natural ing its branches predominantly on one side of its trunk, features. The phenomenon known as “sea of clouds,” is unique of all pine trees found in Huang Shan. The tree, where waves of clouds and fog surge among the hills and an 800-year-old specimen of the species Pinus Hwanga- peaks, may appear during all four seasons in Huang Shan. hanensis growing out of granite, is China’s most famous At sunrise or sunset the splendid sea sometimes refracts tree. The 10-meter high tree has been guarded around the sunlight, forming a colorful aureole known as baoguang

The western slope of Huang Shan, much steeper than the eastern side of the mountain. Photo by Paul and Bernice Noll.

Humans have also left their mark. Over two hun- dred engravings have been preserved in the rock faces, together with ancient paths, bridges, and pavilions of historical cultural value. Under the administration of Huang Shan City, the villages of Xidi and Hongcun are renowned for their Anhui/Huizhou architecture dating from the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dy- nasties, featuring white walls, green roofs, horse head- shaped gables, ornamental bricks, and both wood and stone carvings. Due to its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and signifi- cance as a treasure house of rare and endangered species, Huang Shan was listed as a World Historical Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1990. Yu Luo RIOUX Further Reading Guarding an 800-year-old giant. (2003, November 3). China Daily. Retrieved March 1, 2009, from http: // www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-11/03/content _277787.htm Hu Wen, Wang Wusong, & Xiao Xiaohua. (2001). Mag- nificent tourist sites in XiDi and Hongcun. Huang Shan City, China: Yixian Cultural Bureau. Huangshan Municipal Government. Huangshan China. Sentinel Rocks at Huang Shan, view of the Peak of Retrieved January 16, 2008, from http://www.huang Heaven. The renowned geographer and traveler Xu shan.gov.cn Xiake (1587–1641) once praised the magnificence National Museum of Chinese Revolution History. of Huang Shan with the pithy phrase: “Sightseeing (Ed.). (2002). Treasures of mankind world heritage stops here.” Photo by Joan Lebold Cohen. sites in China. Beijing: Cultural Relics Publishing House. Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council (“treasure light”) or foguang (“Buddhist halo”). Hot (OCAOS) & China Overseas Exchanges Association springs register an annual average temperature of 42o C (COEA). (2006). Common knowledge about Chinese (107.6o F), luring visitors to drink and bathe in their wa- geography (4th ed.). Hong Kong: Hong Kong China ters. In addition, Huang Shan provides a natural habitat Tourism Press. for wildlife and vegetation, with 1,450 species of plants, Shan Shumo, Ge Minqing, & Sun Wenchang (Eds). 170 species of birds, and 300 species of vertebrates calling (1992). Famous Chinese mountains and rivers. Jinan, the mountains home. China: Shandong Education Press.

HUANG Zongxi ▶

Huang Shan Huáng Shān ​黄 山

Huang Shan Huáng Shān 黄山