|
  | |  |
Huangshan......... Yellow Mountains
Entry 13 of 32 | show all | print this entry |
I now know the inspiration for those misty Chinese paintings of mountains,trees,boughs stretching out...... tigers watching.... because I've been there and it was so cloudy that we scarcely saw anything! The cloud forest, indeed it was.
Never mind, we had a gruelling climb up and down the trails, actually they are steps, amidst the swirling mists. From time to time, we glimpsed spectacular rugged peaks and pinnacles emerging from thick bamboo forests. Twisted pines dot the rock faces, and have been given names such as the Peacock and the Umbrella. It has been a pilgrimage centre for Emperors and Communist leaders alike, and ancient legends have given rise to the names:
Seeing is Believing Peak; Lotus Flower Peak; Bright Summit ;Flying Over Rock; Mercy Light Temple (?)
In true equality, there are 2 cable cars and for some reason we had the priviledge of going up on the VIP cable car thereby avoiding the hoards. Joyce, Cornelius and I were game for the walk down as we eyed the queues at the Cable Car station, for the return. Our guide, Michael, suggested otherwise.This morning as we saw the young members of the group hobbling, stretching and wincing, we realised that he had been right. Evidently, the steps are steep, slippery, narrow and endless. To add to the challenge is the necessity to make way for the Porters who carry back- breaking loads. There is no road up the mountains but a number of hotels and eating places and evidently everything has to be carried up.
I have enjoyed watching the farm life and rural scenery from the coach, as we travel from place to place. Today there was a stop at a village by a stream said to be where Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed. The local people must be used to visitors, I imagine. We bought persimmons and nuts from them.Invited into a home by a young man, and shown how they make the chrysanthemum tea, I was impressed by the decorations and adornments. As is usual, the son and wife and little grandson live with the son's parents. In this case, they had separate quarters, as it were.Although obviously poor by Western standards, there was piped water and electricity and it struck me that there was better quality of domestic environment than where Rosalind is working in Nicaragua where there is no water and no electricity or even made up roads.
We drove off the main road at one point, up rough lanes until we arrived at a Primary school.Outside,in the courtyard,there was the National flag and a suitably uplifting statement about the value of education. Arriving just before a break we were enchanted to meet the children as they piled out into the playground for relaxation. Not accustomed to visitors, they were full of fun and excitement. I went into a classroom with some of them and looked at their books and as usual there was lots of smiling and miming as verbal communication is impossible apart from our very few phrases.
Another magic moment.
About to board another night train, we are biding time in the somewhat restored, medieval streets of Yellow Mountain City. Not too badly damaged in the Cultural Revolution, according to the guide, because it is a mountainous area. First time anyone has responded to such a question. There is some attractive carved woodwork, balconies, and narrow streets, adorned with red lanterns. As usual, the predominant colours are red and gold.
Latest Comments (1)
|
Sounds amazing (reply)
Oct 29, 2006 08:09 EST by nickron
Its like reading a travel adventure book. Another world away from me here in greenwich, doing my laundry and buying my forzen peas in iceland supermarket.
Keep em updates coming. Looking forward to th enext installment.
|
 Post a new comment |
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries by angel_00, from China or try a new search. |
| |
| Table of Contents |
| 13. | Huangshan......... Yellow Mountains - Huangshan, China Oct 27, 2006 (  1 ) |
|
|
|
|
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
