Hua Shan Mountain, Shaanxi Province, China. One of the five holy
mountains of Taoism in China, located in the range of Qin Ling. It is
famous for picturesque rocks and a difficult and dangerous ascent on the
top. The path in the mountains connects many tops till the highest one
of 2100m, it's a unique route. On the way there are a lot of Taoist
monasteries, pagodas, temples, gates and bridges. In China they say: "If
you have visited the five holy mountains of China, you may not go to
the others, but if you have visited Hua Shan, even those four are not
necessary". The Hua Mountains used to be called Si Yue - "Western
Mountains". The name "Hua Shan" - "Blossoming Mountan" they got due to
the resemblance of five peaks of theirs: the Eastern, Western, Southern,
Northern and Central - with a lotus flower.
The Hua Shan Mountains are closely connected with Taoism and are
mentioned in its early texts as one of the places suitable for Taoist
religious practices and alchemy lessons. They say that Lao Zi himself
lived here. The most part of the constructions were built here in the
period of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Up to date the well preserved
are Yuquan (the XI century), Dongdao temple (1714) and Zhenyue palace of
the Yuan dynasty. In December 1990 UNESCO included Hua Shan in the list
of the objects of the world nature heritage. Now this place is rather
popular among tourists. You may climb the mountain either on foot or by
funicular. 5 hours up along the path from the town of the same name.
Traditionally pilgrims have climbed only along the path and slept under
one of the mountains to go around all five peaks the next morning.
Tourists
Strange combination indeed: cucumbers and soda water.
The rocks with lots of small temples, caves, stairs...
On the top at last.
Very narrow stairs
It's really the place of calmness - all temples, caves, stairs are in full harmony with the landscape.
via alexcheban
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