Lu Shan (Lushan Mountain)
Location: Jiangxi Province
Transportation: Bus service
Culture/History Rating: 4/5
Scenery Rating: 4.5/5
Hotels: N/A
Summary:
Description:
| Located in the northern part of Jiangxi province, Mt. Lushan faces Yangtze River to the north and borders Poyang Lake (the largest fresh water lake in China) on the east. Overlooking southward on top of the mountain, the Poyang Lake is like a silver mirror. In the north, the Yangtse River looks like a jade ribbon flying to the east. The mountain consists of 99 peaks, of which, the major Peak Dahanyang rises 1474 meters (914.1 miles) above the sea level. Lushan is a hoist style fault block, which integrates mountain, river and lake into one unit. The picturesque mountain is famous in China and worldwide for its grandeur, queerness of shape, perilousness and elegance. |  |
 | Lushan's views of the plains and the Yangtze are breathtaking. It is full of lovely trees, hills, pavilions, and old Tang pagodas and temples. Since the surrounding water contributes to a rainy and humid weather of the mountain area, Mt. Lushan is best known for three wonders: the cloud sea, the waterfalls and the cragged cliffs, which have been depicted a lot in poems. Sudongpo, a well-known poet of Song dynasty (A.D.960-1280), honored the cloud sea of Mt. Lushan for its ever-changing mist, which enable the mountain to pose diversely. In one of his poems he once pointed out: The failure to get the real looks of the mountain only results in the fact that you are right in the midst of it. In fact, the trick of Mt. Lushan is played out by the cloud, which shrouds the mountain all the year round, the dense fog hiding it from a clear view. |
| As a result of tremendous rubbing and grinding of glaciers, its grotesque peaks and cragged cliffs look all the more precipitous. Caves, floral paths, waterfalls, cliffs and gardens all present lyrical wonders. Most of the peaks are from 1200 to 1400 meters above sea level. Dahanyang Peak, the highest peak, rises 1,474 meters above sea level, is shrouded in clouds almost the entire year. Guling, a summer health resort, is located in the central Lushan at an elevation of 1,167 meters. Followed by Iron Ship Peak, 958 meters, which looks like a big ship. The misty peaks and craggy cliffs have also been the inspiration for many artists and poets. The Tang dynasty (618-907AD) poet Bai Juyi said that "the wondrous beauty of mount Lushan is surpassed by no other", which explains why so many people come to the mountains during the summer months. |  |
 | The imposing and magnificent peaks, unique waterfalls, luxuriant woods, changing sea of clouds and pleasant climate make it a most famous summer resort in China and the perfect place for patients to recuperate. Roaring through the land, the precipitous and gorgeous Lushan wins itself the honorable title of the most beautiful mountain under heaven. With both natural scenic spots and historical and cultural Sites, Mt. Lushan is listed as one of the 40 best tourist attractions in China. The UNESCO listed it as one of the World Natural Heritages in 1996. |