Color Version Map of Mountains and Rivers of China

Author: Li Mengzhi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-09-01
Features: A grand cultural map of China with the integration of multiple visual elements, making culture and knowledge engaging and enjoyable.
Classic Content: Applying the concept of maps, it comprehensively showcases famous mountains, the Five Great Mountains, Buddhist mountains, Taoist mountains, cultural mountains, historical mountains, scenic mountains, and extraordinary waters, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the natural and cultural connotations of these landscapes.
Rich Images: Selected from over 300 precious images, including classic photographs taken by professional photographers, time-honored calligraphy, inscriptions, and sculptures with diverse styles. These not only allow readers to admire the breathtaking natural and cultural scenery but also provide knowledge in history, culture, and comprehensive artistic enjoyment.
Artistic Concept: Through the integration of various artistic techniques and visual elements, it highlights a new artistic design concept, enhancing the appreciation and collectible value of the book, bringing the enchanting landscapes closer to readers and allowing them to experience the immense charm of the famous mountains.
Ideal Reading Material: The vivid and fluent narrative language, the interweaving of text and images, and the innovative layout design create a comfortable and enjoyable reading space for readers.
Taishan, known for its majestic beauty, is renowned for its grandeur. Its layered mountain slopes, substantial form, and the embellishment of ancient pines and massive rocks, combined with the changing play of clouds and light, give it a majestic yet elegant, serene yet mystical aura. Since ancient times, the main route for climbing has been the "Mountain Ascending Imperial Way," which offers beautiful scenery and concentrated attractions along its path. The Daitemple in Tai'an City serves as the starting point for climbing Mount Tai. The Daitemple has been the site for imperial ceremonies, including the Fengchan (sacrificial) rites and worship of the mountain gods. It is centered around the Tiankang Hall, with symmetrically arranged bell and drum towers on both sides. The temple houses numerous historical relics, such as ancient cypresses, Tang Dynasty locust trees, cast bronze pavilions, iron pagodas, and offerings from emperors of past dynasties. The 3.3-meter-high, 62-meter-long Song Dynasty mural "The Divine Journey of the Mountain God" inside the Tiankang Hall is a rare artistic treasure with numerous figures, meticulous composition, and fluid brushwork. Additionally, the Daitemple preserves fragments of small seal inscriptions carved by Li Si, the Prime Minister of the Qin Dynasty, making it the earliest stone inscriptions on Mount Tai and a nationally protected first-class cultural relic.
There are two main routes for climbing Mount Tai, known as the "East Route" and the "West Route." After meeting at Zhongtianmen, both routes lead directly to the summit, covering a total distance of about 9,000 meters with over 6,000 stone steps. Starting from Daidongfang on the East Route, climbing past Houtian Pavilion, you will reach Huimaling. Huimaling is a steep section even for spirited horses to ascend. Along the East Route, you can also admire the beauty of the three-tiered waterfalls at the eastern side of Doumugong.
The West Route starts from Dazhong Bridge, with attractions such as the peculiar peaks and rocks of Shanziaoya and Aolai Peak. The "Fudi Dongtian" (Blessed Land and Heavenly Palace) scenic area, also known as the Black Dragon Pool, is also located on this route. The water in the Black Dragon Pool is deep blue, about several dozen feet deep, with three waterfalls cascading from a 100-meter cliff, creating a dazzling display of splashing pearls and thunderous sounds. From a distance, it resembles a white dragon drinking water in the mountain stream, hence the poetic name "Yunlong San Guan" (Three Views of the Cloud Dragon).
Both the East and West Routes converge at Zhongtianmen, where there are layered pavilions and towers. North of Zhongtianmen, in a deep gorge, stands a single-arched stone bridge shrouded in mist. Walking on this bridge, it feels as if one is soaring through the clouds, earning it the name "Yunbu Bridge." The three miles after Zhongtianmen are relatively flat, allowing climbers to ascend leisurely, hence the nickname "Kuaihu Sanli" (Three Miles of Joyful Climb). However, beyond Yunbu Bridge, the mountain becomes steep. The path to the southern Tianmen is entirely a climbing trail, known as the "Yunmen Yunti" (Cloud Gate Cloud Ladder), consisting of eighteen steep sections. The 1,000-meter-long, 400-meter-high eighteen sections have over 1,600 stone steps, making it the most challenging part of the climb. Along the way, you can enjoy the enchanting mountain scenery and witness the impressive agility of the mountain porters.
After passing the eighteen sections, reaching the southern Tianmen allows you to appreciate the scenery of the summit. To the west of the southern Tianmen is Yueguan Peak, also known as "Wangfu Mountain" because it offers a view of Jinan at night. Northeast of the southern Tianmen is the "Tianjie" (Sky Street), with the magnificent and grand ancient architectural complex of Bixia Temple to its east. Bixia Temple is the most revered deity in the mythology of Mount Tai, often referred to as the "Old Grandmother of Mount Tai" or the "Old Mother of Mount Tai." Occasionally, colorful halos appear on both sides of Bixia Temple, illuminating the visitors and surrounding scenery, a phenomenon known as the "Bixia Treasure Light." Folk legends attribute this to the manifestation of Bixia Laojun, but in reality, it is merely an optical diffraction effect.
The Tianzhu Peak, the highest peak of Mount Tai, stands at 1,545 meters and is known as the "Summit of Mount Tai." The Yuhuangguan (Jade Emperor Temple) is built at the peak, hence its nickname "Yuhuangding." To the east of Yuhuangguan is the Riguanting (Sunrise Pavilion), where you can witness the two major marvels of "Sunrise Over Mount Tai" and "Sunset Glow Over the Yellow River." To the west of Yuhuangguan is the Wangheting (River Viewing Pavilion), offering views of "Golden Belt of the Yellow River" and "Jade Plateau of the Cloud Sea."
On the northeastern foothills of Mount Tai, following the winding climbing path, you can explore the famous Tianzhu Peak scenic area. Here, the stones seem to speak, and the springs sing. The Great and Small Tianzhu Peaks stand facing the sky, while the cliffs and walls (interweave with valleys). The General Mountain resembles a great general in armor, and the Luohan Peak resembles a stack of Luohans. The wonders of nature leave one in awe. In the distance, the sky is vast, the mountains are expansive, the pines rustle, and the white clouds drift leisurely.
On the western side of Mount Tai, at the 100-meter cliff, the Longtan Feipu (Dragon Pool Waterfall) plunges down with thunderous sound, resembling a thousand-meter-long silver ribbon hanging in the air. This is the renowned Longtan Feipu. The rapid flow has eroded a pool, and legends say it connects to the East Sea, allowing dragons to come and go freely, hence the name "Black Dragon Pool." A Qing Dynasty poem describes it: "The true source never runs dry, flying down from the highest peak. Gazing down at a thousand-foot pool, deep within, perhaps dragons dwell." Further west, the peaks rise abruptly, tall and steep, resembling a fan, hence the name "Shanziaoya." It features inscriptions carved by Ming Dynasty scholars on the cliffside, known as "Immortal's Palm." To the west of the cliff, there is an iron ladder leading to the summit, from where you can overlook Longjiaoshan to the north and Jiuniuzhai to the east, as well as Aolai Peak to the west. To the east, the Longtan Reservoir, like a dazzling pearl embedded in Xixi, sparkles and leaves a lasting impression.