Lushan -- A Mountain Soaring by the Great River

Author: Wang Zhili
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Lushan is a renowned Buddhist sacred site in China. During the Ming Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Lushan was one of the centers of Chinese Buddhism, with over 300 temples on the mountain at that time. Among them, the famous "Three Great Temples" of Lushan—Xilin Temple, Donglin Temple, and Dalin Temple—as well as the "Five Major Monasteries" of Haicheng, Xiufeng, Wanshan, Bixian, and Gujia, were particularly renowned. Lushan is also a mountain of famous figures, where many emperors and literary giants throughout history have visited. Legend has it that the Xia Emperor Yu diverted the Yangtze River to pass through Lushan, and the First Emperor of Qin also visited during his southern tour. Literary giants such as Tao Yuanming, Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Fan Zhongyan, Su Shi, Lu You, and Wang Yangming have all composed poems and verses in praise of Lushan. Generals like Yue Fei, Wen Tianxiang, Li Shizhen, and Xu Xiake have also traveled here. Statistics show that there are over 4,000 poems and verses composed by historical figures in praise of Lushan. The calligraphy and steles left by famous figures throughout history on the mountain also hold great artistic value, making them a treasure of China's tourism culture. Once culture is intertwined with nature in a unique way, it can enrich and enhance natural beauty, adding a touch of brilliance and making it more vivid and captivating. Lushan is just such a timeless cultural mountain. Millions of years ago, tectonic movements created the towering, block-like peaks of Lushan that rise abruptly from the flat land, forming majestic, layered ridges and towering heights with an imposing presence. The mountain is also known for its bizarre peaks and endless strange rocks, showcasing a rugged and powerful beauty. Nature, with its miraculous power, has created the extraordinary Lushan. At the same time, the turbulent political winds of modern times have also cast a mystical aura over the mountain! Time flows like water, and now, Lushan has gradually unveiled its mysterious veil, revealing its breathtaking beauty to the world! From afar, Lushan appears as a mountain soaring by the side of a great river; up close, a thousand peaks stand closely connected; from the side, iron walls and bronze gates stand along the lake shore; and from the side, a pillar that touches the sky rises among the clouds. As the great literary figure Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty once wrote: "From the side, it looks like ridges; from the front, it looks like peaks; near or far, high or low, each view is different. Without knowing the true face of Lushan, it is because one is in the midst of it." Due to its elevation between rivers and lakes, Lushan receives abundant rainfall, with an annual precipitation of up to 1,950–2,000 millimeters, resulting in large temperature differences and frequent fog. The fog in Lushan is diverse and ever-changing. When visiting Lushan, one must experience the beauty of its fog! Look, in the morning, the light mist rises gracefully from the valleys, swirling and floating like silk ribbons danced by immortals. Where the silk ribbons pass, the scenery gradually becomes hazy. The fog grows thicker in no time, soon like snow waves surging into the sky, filling the deep valleys and gorges, merging the sky and earth into one. Even the trees just a few meters away appear as shy maidens, their handsome faces and slender figures veiled by mist, occasionally revealing glimpses of charming beauty to tease the mind. Suddenly, a patch of thick fog thins and disappears in an instant, revealing a pavilion with red pillars and green tiles, flying eaves and brackets. Yet, the surrounding area remains shrouded in a vast sea of fog, making the pavilion even more mysterious, as if it were a heavenly paradise or a mirage. In the blink of an eye, the fog begins to move and gradually accelerates, showing the chaos of flying clouds in a moment. It reminds one of the aria "Chaos of Clouds" from the Peking Opera "Dewdrop Mountain" by Ke Xiang... In just two minutes, the fog plays new tricks—transforming into countless strange shapes: some like blooming jade flowers, some like waterfalls hanging in the sky, and others like wisps of smoke drifting gracefully. Only then do people truly feel the charm of nature and the wonder of the creator. In terms of seasons, Lushan has cool summers, early autumns, mild winters, and late springs, making it a nationally renowned summer resort. The Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi once wrote: "By April, all flowers in the world have faded, but the peach blossoms in the mountain temples still bloom. I often lament the spring's departure, unaware that it has turned to this mountain." This perfectly describes Lushan. In Lushan, sometimes the mountain peaks rise above the clouds. From below, Lushan appears ethereal, appearing and disappearing like a fairyland. From above, the clouds stretch endlessly below, as if flying on clouds. Sometimes, the mountain is shrouded in darkness, while the valley below is filled with light rain, creating an extraordinary atmosphere. The Ming Dynasty philosopher Wang Yangming once wrote: "Last night, I stayed at the peak under the moonlight, and faint thunder echoed in the valley. In the morning, I asked the people below, 'Did the wind and rain sweep away your thatched houses last night?'" Such natural conditions have made Lushan lush with vegetation and rich in flora. Notably, the Lushan Botanical Garden has become an important scenic area of Lushan and is a must-visit! The villa clusters on Lushan are also world-famous. Since 1895, when the British missionary Li Dereli rented 800 acres of land near Guling for summer retreat, merchants and celebrities from over 20 countries, as well as domestic figures, have rushed to build vacation villas here, totaling over 640, with styles ranging from British, American, Russian, Swedish, Swiss, Japanese, to others, making it a "Museum of World Villa Architecture." Lushan has thus become a world-renowned summer resort. The scenic spots in the Lushan tourist area are scattered both on and off the mountain. A ring road has been built around the mountain, connecting the northern and southern roads to Jiujiang and Nanchang, linking famous scenic spots such as Donggu, Xiggu, Xiaotianchi, Xiandong, Datianchi, Sanbaoshu, Huanglongtan, and Handukou. Guling Town is a unique mountain city known as the "Garden City in the Clouds." West of the town lies West Lake, also known as Flower Path Lake, shaped like a violin and named so because the mountain spring sounds like a lute. This is Lushan's second artificial lake, covering 100,000 square meters. A pavilion stands by the lake, with emerald waves holding tender emotions, offering excellent scenery. Among China's many famous mountains, Lushan has the deepest cultural heritage. To appreciate the mountain is to read history. If one visits Lushan with only one "scenery eye" and not the other "culture eye," then it is truly as the poem goes: "Without knowing the true face of Lushan, it is because one is in the midst of it." Lushan is a renowned Buddhist sacred site in China. During the Ming Emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Lushan was one of the centers of Chinese Buddhism, with over 300 temples on the mountain at that time. Among them, the famous "Three Great Temples" of Lushan—Xilin Temple, Donglin Temple, and Dalin Temple—as well as the "Five Major Monasteries" of Haicheng, Xiufeng, Wanshan, Bixian, and Gujia, were particularly renowned. Lushan is also a mountain of famous figures, where many emperors and literary giants throughout history have visited.