Five Great Mountains

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The Taoist Five Great Mountains are arranged according to the five cardinal directions of Chinese geomancy, which includes the center as a direction: East, Taishan; West, Huashan; South, Hengshan; North, Hengshan and Center, Songshan. Alternatively, these mountains are sometimes referred to by the respective directions as the "Northern Great Mountain" (bei yue), "Southern Great Mountain" (nan yue), "Eastern Great Mountain" (dong yue), "Western Great Mountain" (xi yue), and "Central Great Mountain" (zhong yue).

The Eastern Mountain-Taishan Mountain

Towering in the central part of Shandong Province, Mt.Taishan, with its elevation of 1545 metres above sea level, is the first of China's five sacred mountains and one of the national major famous scenic areas. In1987, Mt. Taishan was listed in the World Natural and Cultural Heritages by UNESCO. In history, emperors and many scholars stepped on the mountain to view its magnificent scenery, having left quite a many famous poems and inscriptions.

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The main scenic spots are Wangmu (Heavenly Mother) Pool, Doumu Palace, Jingshi (Sutra Rock) Valley, Heilong (Black Dragon)Pool, Shanzi (Fanshaped) cliff, Changshou (Longevity)Bridge. Daimiao Temple, situated in Tai'an City at the southern foot ofthe mountain, was first built in the Han Dynasty, and large-scale additions were made during the Tang and Song Dynasties. It is a key cultural heritage under state protection.

The Western Mountain-Huashan Mountain

Standing in Huayin County, 120 km east of Xi'an City, Mt. Huashan is known as "The Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven." It is the tallest among the Five Great Mountains as well as a very beautiful scenic spot of China.

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The mountain is noted for its sheer cliffs and towering peaks. Mt. Huashan, flanked by the Yuntai (Cloud Terrace) and Yunu (Jade Maiden) peaks and fronting thirty-six minor peaks, has peculiar peaks, strange rocks, seas of clouds, purling springs as well as flying waterfalls. It is known as the Western Sacred Mountain. Mt. Huashan has five famous peaks, namely, East Peak West Peak, South Peak, North Peak and Central Peak, of which South Peak soaring 2200 metres above sea level, is the highest. The peaks are connected by a series of sharp ridges, generally only wide enough to accommodate one person at a time Along the touring route, tourists can visit many amazing ancient buildings perched on the knife-sharp edges .

The Sounthern Mountain-Hengshan Mountain

Mt. Hengshan in the south (Hunan) has 72 peaks and extends 150 kilometers. The Huiyan Peak is the south end of the peaks, and Yuelu Mountain in Changsha City is the north end. And the Zhurong Peak is the highest with altitude of 1,290 meters. On the top, the Watching Sunrise Platform is the best scenic spot.

History

The humanity history of the Southern Mountain is as long as more than 4,000 years. The historical integration with mountains and rivers, has formed one chapter with glorious and magnificent page in the Southern Mountain, have formed a kind of unique culture in the Southern Mountain. Especially the Jin Dynasty, Song, the Republic of China three the south cross, three resist (resist yuan to person's wall, it resists Wang Fuzhi to be the clear, resist against Japan cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party), bring by new vigor to the Southern Mountain, make it form the centre of academy (Neo-Confucianism), the political and military important strategic place for the famous scenic spot of the religion successively. Make religious culture, academy culture, travel culture melt to first mountain. Have run through a thread that is worth unusually paying attention to again in the integration and development of culture, namely patriotism tradition.

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There are three peaks on the mountain: One covers purply, the fungus peak of a stone, a peak of lotus. The lotus has the most outstanding for Song peak, looks it from far by oneself, grey latent day.

The Northern Mountain-Hengshan Mountain

Situated in the central part of Hunan Province, Mt.Hengshan is known as the Southern Sacred Mountain, one of the five great mountains in China, and has been praised as lithe first for its beauty among the five famous mountains". It boasts beautiful natural sceneries, with peaks rising one upon another. Among the 72 towering peaks, Zhurong Peak is the highest, rising to 1290 metres above sea level.

Record

Mt. Hengshan has ancient cultural origins. According to historical records, there were nine emperors of the past dynasties visiting Mt. Hengshan and many scholars also made their tours of the mountain having left many inscriptions and poems. Chinese recorded history tells us that Emperor Shun (2372 B.C.) has toured its northern domain, and he was so impressed by the sight of Mt. Hengshan that he proclaimed it the North Mountain. The renowned traveler Xu Xiake came to visit in Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and left behind inspired writings about Mt. Hengshan.

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The main scenic spots include Grand Nanyue Temple, Zhusheng Temple, Huangting Taoist Temple, it is one of the most dramatic sights at Mt. Hengshan, and it is a wooden temple clinging to the cliff side, appearing to defy gravity with only a few wooden posts as support. Nantai Temple, Sutra Hall and Yehou Academy, the earliest academy well preserved.

The Central Mountain-Songshan Mountain

The forest resources of Mt. Songshan are praised as rare treasure for their large quantity, antiquity, abundant literary quotation and vivid shapes. Mt. Songshan Stretches more than 60 km across from east to west. It consists of two mountains-Taishi and Shaoshi, with 36 Deaks alto ether. It also boasts a large number of cultural relics.

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The most famous Shaolin Temple is located here, where Shaolin monks exercise Qigong, Qinggong and other Shaolin Kong Fu.

Five Great Mountains Highlights

Five Great Mountains Highlights Related

Five Great Mountains attraction highlights

• Mt. Songshan
• Mt. Taishan
• Mt. Huashan
• Mt. Hengshan
• Mt. Hengshan

Five Great Mountains FAQ & Travelers's Tips

1. I know the big rivers in China divide this country into different drainage areas. Can you introduce some famous rivers for me?
2. Which one is the longest river in China?
3. Why Chinese refer to the Yellow River as "the Mother River" and "the Cradle of the Chinese civilization?"
4. If I want to pay a visit to the Yangtze River, Could you recommend some famous scenic areas?
5. I am interested in the three Yangze River Gorges, May I know more about them?
6. Which is the most convenient way If I pay a visit to the three Yangze River Gorges?
7. Could you recommend some famous mountains in China?
8. Can you recommend some of the Five Sacred Mountains briefly?
9. Can you recommend some good choices if I want to climb mountain?
10. What is the best time to climb mountains in China such as the five famous mountains? Can I reserve rooms on the top of the mountains?
11. There is a saying in China: east or west, Guilin is the best. Why do we say that?
12. Silk Road is an imaginary place for me. Could you give a general introduction?
13. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?
14. Why Giant Panda is referred to a Chinese national treasure?

1. I know the big rivers in China divide this country into different drainage areas. Can you introduce some famous rivers for me?

   Sure, there are some long rivers they divide China into different regions such as Yangtze River, Yellow River, Qinhuai River, Huai River, Yalu River and some other rivers.
   




2. Which one is the longest river in China?

   I should say the Yangtze River (Changjiang), over 6,300 kilometers long, it is the largest and longest river in China, and the third-longest in the world. As the largest river in the region, the Yangtze is historically, culturally, and economically important to China.
   

3. Why Chinese refer to the Yellow River as "the Mother River" and "the Cradle of the Chinese civilization?"

   The Yellow River is called "the cradle of Chinese civilization," as its basin is the birthplace of the northern Chinese civilizations and is the most prosperous region in early Chinese history. But frequent devastating flooding, largely due to the elevated river bed in its lower course, has also earned it the unenviable name "China's Sorrow."




4. If I want to pay a visit to the Yangtze River, Could you recommend some famous scenic areas?

   Yes, the most impressive section of the river is the three Yangtze River Gorges: Qutang Gorge, Wuxia Gorge and Xiling Gorge, collectively known as Sanxia, or the Three Gorges.
   
   
   
   

5. I am interested in the three Yangze River Gorges, May I know more about them?

   Qutang Gorge, Rocky Mountains rise perpendicularly like walls on both sides of the river squeezing the broad river into a narrow ribbon threading its way in the Qutang Gorge. The turbulent waters flowing in the deep gorge along a continuous line of peaks make a most magnificent picture. Wuxia Gorge is noted for its deep and serene scenes. Wuxia Gorge is full of zigzag, weird peaks, rising mists and beautiful sights. The famous Twelve Peaks on both banks of the river, in particular, are the most spectacular. These strange-looking peaks are like a fairy maid dancing. And Xiling Gorge is known for dangerous rapids and numerous shoals, the latter including the Qingtan, Kongling and Xietan shoals.
   
   

6. Which is the most convenient way If I pay a visit to the three Yangze River Gorges?

   In most cases, steamboat is your favorite choice. When the steamboat ploughed across the largest river, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery on both sides.
   
   
   

7. Could you recommend some famous mountains in China?

   There are Five Sacred Mountains in China. They are the Eastern Mountain - Mt. Taishan, the Sounthern Mountain C Mt. Hengshan, the Western Mountain C Mt. Huashan, the Northern Mountain C Mt. Hengshan and the Central Mountain C Mt. Songshan.
   

8. Can you recommend some of the Five Sacred Mountains briefly?

   I will introduce you the most representative two mountains: Mt. Taishan and Mt. Huashan. Towering in the central part of Shandong Province, Mt. Taishan, with its elevation of 1545 meters above sea level, is the first of China's five sacred mountains and one of the national major famous scenic areas. Standing in Huayin County, 120 km east of Xi'an City, the Mt. Huashan is noted for its sheer cliffs and towering peaks. The peaks are connected by a series of sharp ridges, generally only wide enough to accommodate one person at a time Along the touring route, tourists can visit many amazing ancient buildings perched on the knife-sharp edges.

    

9. Can you recommend some good choices if I want to climb mountain?

   I should mention the Eastern Mountain - Mt. Taishan. There is a saying that Mt.Taishan is the preeminent of the Five Sacred Mountains. Mt. Taishan has an extremely rich cultural heritage. It has always been regarded as pre-eminent among China's five sacred mountains. It was also a symbol of power. And secondly, I should say Mt. Huangshan. It is often said that enjoy Huangshan Mountain, there're no more mountains! Mt. Huangshan can boast not only of its magnificence but also its abundant resources and great variety of zoological species, for which it has been listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site.




10. What is the best time to climb mountains in China such as the five famous mountains? Can I reserve rooms on the top of the mountains?

    Sure, we can always make the arrangement according to your requirements. If you want to stay one night on the top of the mountain, please let us know so that we can inform the hotels beforehand to meet your needs. Actually, different seasons have different scene, but there is one rule you should to follow that is to avoid the high tourist season in China.
    
    

11. There is a saying in China: east or west, Guilin is the best. Why do we say that?

    Guilin is the world famous scenery tour city, has the matchless karst landform. Here mountain, the flat land pulls out, differ in thousands of ways; The Lijiang River water, winds windingly, the clear and bright like mirror; The mountain has the hole, the hole peaceful scene is wonderful, magnificent sight. So she got the name.
    
    

12. Silk Road is an imaginary place for me. Could you give a general introduction?

    Silk Road is one of the world's oldest and most historically important trade routes and its influences on the culture of China, Central Asia and the West. It is a series of trade and cultural transmission routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of the Asian continent connecting East and West Asia by linking traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea during various periods of time.
    

13. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

    The months of May and October are the best time to travel the Silk Road. The summer can be searingly hot. The winter is freezing. During May, the average temperature along the Silk Road is around 15 C. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grass is turning green. Visitors can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.
    
    

14. Why Giant Panda is referred to a Chinese national treasure?

    The Giant Panda is a mammal classified in the bear family (Ursidae), native to central-western and southwestern China. In recent decades the Giant Panda has also served as an emblem for the country. Its image appears on a large number of modern Chinese commemorative silver, gold, and platinum coins. The species is a favorite of the public, at least in part because many people find that it has a baby-like cuteness. So we had a panda, called Pan Pan as one of our mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games, which implied expecting peace, friendship and good results of the athletes.