“Cultural Exchange Activities of Presenting China to the World”--the Most Beautiful China series of activities in Anhui Province·Mount Huangshan.

As a world geological park, the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, China’s 5A scenic spot, one of China 's top ten tourist attractions, a national scenic area, one of national civilized tourist demonstration zone (in the first batch), Mount Huangshan is located in the south of Huangshan City, Anhui Province, formerly known as Yi Shan and famous for its dark green rocks. It’s said that the ancient Yellow Emperor once practiced alchemy in here, so the mountain was renamed as Huangshan or the Yellow Mountain. Xu Xiake, a famous traveler and geographer in Ming Dynasty, climbed the mountain twice and gasped with admiration, “Mount Huangshan is so unparalleled in the world that once you ascend to its top, there is no need to see other mountains.” In December 1990, Mount Huangshan scenic area was listed as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site; in February 2004, it also became a world geological park.

Mount Huangshan is most famous for its unique pines, peculiarly shaped granite peaks, sea of clouds and hot springs. It includes three famous waterfalls, namedly Ren-shaped waterfall, Baizhang spring and Jiulong waterfall.

Huangshan pine trees are scattered over 800 meters above sea level and rooted in the fissures of rocks. They are a variant of Chinese pine trees grown in the climate and rock formation of Mount Huangshan. They are usually situated about 1,500 to 1,700 meters in the northern range of Mount Huangshan and 1,000 to 1,600 meters in the southern range of the Mount. Their shape are closely affected by the natural environment of Mount Huangshan and their seeds can be blown away by wind to the fissures of rocks in which they are rooted.

Among the ten famous pine tress in Mount Huangshan, there are Welcome Pine, Seeing off Pine, Farewell Pine, Reaching Sea Pine, Hidden Dragon Pine, etc. Each one of them is of distinctive shape. More than 120 peculiar rocks have been named and they display varied views in different weather and circumstances. The peculiar rocks can be found in almost all peaks formed around one million years ago. The most famous ones include Magpie on Plum, the Old Monk Picking up Herbs, Su Wu Sheepherding, Flying Stone, to name but a few.

Since ancient times, the clouds on Mount Huangshan look like seas, whose beauty and splendidness are world-renowned, particularly in winter. According to its locations, the cloud seas can be divided into East Sea, South Sea, West Sea, North Sea and Heavenly Sea. More than 200 days a year in Mount Huangshan are cloudy. It is a unique view to see red mangrove leaves floating on the sea cloud. In North Sea, it is another fantastic view to see clouds flow out between two peaks.

The hot springs originate from the Purple Cloud Peak that is around 850 meters above sea level. The water is drinkable and bicarbonate -based and can be used for bathing. Legend has it that the Yellow emperor bathed here for 49 days and became immortal. Those hot springs gush out of the Purple Cloud Peak and they are the first stop after entering the gate of Mount Huangshan. They produce daily 400 metric tons of water all year round at a temperature of 42 degree centigrade. The springs are good for digestion, nerves, cardiovascular system and metabolism, especially good for skin.

Mount Huangshan has 36 water sources, 24 streams, 20 pools, 17 secluded springs, 3 waterfalls, 2 lakes and a pond. In addition to hot springs, there are three famous waterfalls, namely Ren-shaped waterfall, Baizhang waterfall and Jiulong waterfall. The Ren-shaped waterfall flow between Zishi and Zhusha Peak, pouring downward like a Chinese character, Ren. The Jiulong waterfall originate from Tiandu, Yuping, Liandan and Xianzhang Peaks, pouring in nine separate stripes between Luohan and Xianglu Peaks. It is the most splendid waterfall in Mount Huangshan. In addition, the Baizhang water lie between Qingtan and Ziyun Peaks, reaching as long as 300 meters. There is a Baizhang terrace nearby, in front of which stands the Waterfall-Watching Pavilion.