The Yellow Mountains (Huangshan)

The Yellow Mountains is one of China's most famous and beautiful mountainous areas. It was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990. Its spectacular natural scenery includes oddly-shaped pines and rocks and mystical seas of cloud.

The Yellow Mountains are not so-called because the mountains are yellow, but because the area was renamed after the legendary Yellow Emperor (Huang Di) in 747 AD. After that, Huangshan began its ascent to fame. Many Buddhist temples have been built there and, more recently, it has become a significant tourist attraction because of its scenic qualities. It is said that the Yellow Mountains is the place where the Yellow Emperor, the mythical ancestor of the Chinese, lived, refined precious medicines, and became a supernatural being.

The Yellow Mountains range is known for its hot springs, dense pine forests, and mystical aura. It sits majestically with a misty sea of clouds at its feet, but each season gives the mountains a different flavor. In springtime, it is scattered with pretty pink blossoms, bright flowers that illuminate the valleys and fill the air with their heady scent.

The mountains are densely green in the summer, and bubbling streams lap against the rock faces. The turning maples paint the mountains red and violet in autumn before winter turns everything icy white and tranquil. The area is rich with flora and renowned for monkeys, deer, goats, and rare birds. Many ancient texts, paintings, and poems have celebrated the Yellow Mountains range, and this sense of spiritual reverence remains.