Local China · Wuling Tujia

Author: Zhang Lianggao (Author), Li Yuxiang (Photographer)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Most people first learn about Wuling from reading The Peach Blossom Spring: "In the Taiyuan period of the Jin Dynasty, a fisherman from Wuling made a living by fishing." This fisherman discovered the Peach Blossom Spring and, upon returning, told the world a mysterious and beautiful story. The term "Wuling" refers to the Wuling Mountains in the Wu Mountains at the border of Sichuan and Hubei provinces, where there are numerous peaks, cliffs, gorges, and caves. Even the most skilled geographers would struggle to describe them comprehensively. The purpose of this book is to loudly proclaim Wuling, this "Peach Blossom Spring," and its residents, the Tujia people, urging many "governors" and "Liu Zijie" to visit. The cultural heritage of Wuling is so rich that even a Tujia scholar would find it difficult to write a comprehensive introduction. What we know is limited and not much deeper than that of the fisherman who discovered the Peach Blossom Spring. Even famous places like the Yongshun Old Chief City, Dayong Jade Emperor Cave Grottoes, and Fenghuang Huangsiqiao Ancient City, we have not personally visited, so we can only leave them out for now. Some parts of Wuling, such as Zhangjiajie, are already world-famous and do not need our embellishment, so we choose to omit them. Other areas of Wuling, such as western Hunan, have long been described with poetic charm by Mr. Shen Congwen, and we cannot compete with him; however, if Mr. Shen were to describe the depths of Wuling, he would certainly not use the same style. We are no different from the fisherman of old—unable to restrain our enthusiasm for introducing this place, regardless of the fact that what we know is still at the level of "not worth mentioning." The only confidence we have is that compared to the fisherman of old, we have a camera. The extraordinary peaks and caves, cliffs, and giant waterfalls of Wuling can rival any scenic spot in the world. Even more commendable is its almost spring-like climate year-round. Above 1,000 meters in altitude, people often roast fires in summer, though the purpose is to remove moisture; above 1,500 meters on high mountain plateaus, roasting fires are necessary for heating. On this line of latitude at 30°N, to the east lies Wuhan, and to the west lies Chongqing, both known as "furnaces," yet there is such a vast cool world just a short distance away. In terms of summer refuge, calling Wuling "Switzerland in Southern China" is entirely justified. Switzerland lies entirely north of the 46°N latitude line, equivalent to Heilongjiang Province in China, with a cool climate, without...