Mount Huang

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Mount Huangshan


State Party =
Type = Mixed
Criteria = ii, vii, x
ID = 547
Region = Asia-Pacific
Year = 1990
Session = 14th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/547

Mount Huang, also known as Huangshan (zh-cp|c=黄山|p=Huángshān; literally "Yellow Mountain"), is a mountain range in southern Anhui province in eastern China. The area is famous for its scenery, sunsets, peculiarly-shaped granite peaks, Huangshan Pine trees, and views of the clouds from above.cite web | url=http://www.china.org.cn/english/kuaixun/74866.htm | year=1990 | accessdate=2008-10-08 | publisher= [http://www.china.org.cn/english/index.htm China.org.cn] | title=Mount Huangshan] The area also has hot springs and natural pools. Mount Huang is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

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Physical description

The Huangshan mountain range comprises many peaks, 77 of which exceed 1,000 meters in altitude.cite web | url=http://www.hscct.com/ehuangshan.htm | accessdate=2008-08-05 | publisher= [http://www.hscct.com/english.htm Huangshan Tour] | title=Huangshan Mountain] The three tallest peaks are "Lotus Peak" (Lian Hua Feng, 1,864m, coord|30|07|N|118|10|E), nearby "Bright Summit Peak" (Guang Ming Ding, 1,840m) and "Celestial Peak" (Tian Du Feng, literally "Capital of Heaven Peak", 1,829m). The World Heritage Site covers a core area of 154 square kilometres and a buffer zone of 142 square kilometres.cite web | url=http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=547 | publisher=UNESCO | accessdate=2008-08-05 | year=2008 | title = Mount Huangshan - UNESCO World Heritage Center ]

The mountains were formed in the Mesozoic, about 100 million years ago, when an ancient sea disappeared due to uplift. Later, in the Quaternary Period, the landscape was shaped by the influence of glaciers. In many cases, stone pillar forests were formed.

The vegetation of the area varies with altitude: Below 1,100 meters, moist forest can be found; deciduous forest stretches from 1,100 meters up to the tree line at 1,800 meters; above that point, the vegetation consists of alpine grass-lands. The area has diverse flora, where one-third of China's bryophyte families and more than half of its fern families are represented. "Mao feng cha" ("Fur Peak Tea"), a well-known local variety of green tea, takes its name from the downy tips of tea leaves found in the Mount Huang area.cite web | url=http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/8Kaleidoscope315.html | title=Yellow Mountain Maofeng Tea | publisher= [http://www.cultural-china.com/ Cultural China] | accessdate=2008-10-08]

Because the mountain tops are often above cloud level, they offer views of the clouds from above and interesting light-effects. The "Sea of Clouds" (zh-sp|s=云海|p=yúnhǎi) and "Buddha's Light" (zh-sp|s=佛光|p=fóguāng) are famous phenomena which attract many tourists.Fact|date=October 2008 On average, Buddha's Light only appears a couple of times per month.Fact|date=October 2008 The sunrises on Mount Huang are also renowned, and watching the sunrise is considered by many to be a "mandatory" part of visiting the area.

The hot springs of the area are located at the foot of the "Purple Cloud Peak". the water retains a temperature of 42 °C all year.cite web | url=http://www.damo-qigong.net/temple/huangshan.htm | title=Welcome to Huangshan, Mount Huang | work= [http://www.damo-qigong.net/temple/hill_list.htm Famous Taoism and Buddhism Sanctuaries in China] | publisher= [http://www.damo-qigong.net/ Wudang Taoist Internal Alchemy] | accessdate=2008-09-08] Most natural pools are concentrated in the "Songgu Area". Some particularly well-known water bodies in the area are the "Old Dragon Pool" (Lao Long Tan), the "Green Dragon Pool" (Qing Long Tan), the "Black Dragon Pool" (Wu Long Tan), the "White Dragon Pool" (Bai Long Tan), and the "Jadeite Pond".

History

During the Qin Dynasty, Mount Huang was known as "Yishan" (Mount Yi). In 747 AD, its name was changed to Huangshan (Mount Huang) by imperial decree; the name is commonly thought to have been coined in honor of Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor), a legendary Chinese emperor and the mythological ancestor of the Han Chinese. The first use of this name is often attributed to Chinese poet Li Bai.cite web | url=http://www.chinatravel.net/Huang-Shan-guide/introduction/57.html | title=Huang Shan | publisher= [http://www.chinatravel.net/ ChinaTravel.net] | accessdate=2008-10-08] Mount Huang was fairly inaccessible little-known in ancient times, but its change of name in 747 AD seems to have brought the area considerable attention; from then on, the area was visited frequently and many temples were built there.

Mount Huang is known for its stone steps, carved into the side of the mountain, of which there may be more than 60,000.cite web | url=http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=32644&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html | title=The Mystic World of Shanshui: Huangshan | publisher=UNESCO | work= [http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=2309&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html UNESCO Culture Center] | accessdate=2008-10-08 | format=.wmv] cite web | url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9A00EFDA133BF93BA35751C0A967948260 | publisher=New York Times | title=China's Majestic Huang Shan | last=Butterfield | first=Fox | date=1981-02-08 | accessdate=2008-10-08] The date at which work on the steps began is unknown, but they have been said to be over 1,500 years old.

In 1982, Mount Huang was declared a "site of scenic beauty and historic interest" by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.cite web | title=Mount Huangshan Scenic Beauty and Historic Interest Site | url=http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/huangsha.html | publisher=United Nations Environment Programme | work= [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/protected_areas/world_heritage/index.htm Protected Areas and World Heritage] | month=October | year=1990 | accessdate=2008-10-08] It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 for its natural beauty and its role as a habitat for rare and threatened species. The nearby villages of Hongcun and Xidi were also named part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.cite web | url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1002 | title=Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and Hongcun | publisher=UNESCO | accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web | title=Xidi and Hongcun Villages | publisher= [http://english.china.com/ China.com] | url=http://english.china.com/zh_cn/culture_history/heritages/11023762/20040916/11881915.html | accessdate=2008-10-08 | date=2008-09-16]

Artistic and scientific inspirations

In addition to inspiring poets such as Li Bai, Mount Huang and the scenery therein has been the frequent subject of artwork, especially Chinese ink painting and, more recently, photography.Fact|date=October 2008

Mount Huang is a popular tourist destination with at least 140 attractions open to visitors. As of 1990, there were over footpaths providing access to scenic areas for visitors and staffers of the facilities. Throughout the area there are hotels and guest houses that accommodate overnight visitors, many of whom hike up the mountains, spend the night at one of the peaks to view the sunrise, and then descend by a different route the next day.

The area has also been a location for scientific research because of its diverse flora and wildlife; in the early part of the 20th century, the geology and vegetation of Mount Huang were the subject of multiple studies by both Chinese and foreign scientists.

ee also

* Sacred Mountains of China
* List of World Heritage Sites in China

Image Gallery

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ink painting depicting Mount Huang

References

External links

* [http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=547 Unesco Site Listing]
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