Huoshan Dabie Mountain: A Pristine, Uncultivated Wilderness

China's famous mountains and rivers, with countless landscapes, each with its own unique beauty, always attract tourists who are willing to work hard to appreciate the scenery. Anhui boasts abundant tourism resources, and besides the world-renowned Yellow Mountains, there are many other attractions worth visiting.

The main peak of Dabie Mountain, Baitianshan, is located in Huoshan County, Luanping City, Anhui Province. This area has remained largely undeveloped for many years, presenting a pristine wilderness with strange pines, peculiar rocks, and misty clouds. Few visitors have actually been here, adding to its allure.

Starting from the foot of the mountain, a round trip typically takes 6 hours. Photography enthusiasts may need even more time, so it's important to accurately estimate your time and avoid descending too late, as the mountain road can become treacherous and difficult to navigate in the dark.

Begin your climb by following the winding mountain trails. Initially, the road conditions are good, but as you ascend, the road becomes increasingly raw and original.

Regarding the name 'Dabie Mountain,' have you ever wondered its origin? The name is closely linked to the legend of Li Bai, the famed 'Poet Immortal,' who visited Baitianshan. The mountain exhibits distinct climatic differences on its north and south sides, reflected in its diverse scenery. It primarily stems from a captivating tale.

Legend has it that Li Bai climbed Baitianshan's main peak and observed the strikingly different scenery on both the north and south sides, exclaiming, 'The south side boasts a profusion of flowers, while the north is covered in snow. This mountain stands apart from all others!' It was thanks to this poignant verse by the great poet that the name 'Dabie Mountain' came to be.

At the foot of the mountain, you'll pass through a clear reservoir and a stream, leading you into the dense forest where you can begin your ascent of Baitianshan's main peak. Baitianshan is 90 kilometers from Huoshan County, and its summit is perpetually shrouded in mist, hence its name.

A winding and serpentine road snakes its way up the mountain. Due to a lack of development, the road conditions are not ideal, and this untouched natural environment offers breathtaking views along the way.

Climbing Baitianshan is a challenging endeavor, requiring perseverance as you ascend from the foot of the mountain to the summit, passing through seven pavilions. Now, this area is a pristine, original forest.

Along the way, you'll encounter a diverse array of pine trees, often referred to as the 'Pine Corridor' due to their varied forms.

The pine trees are distributed across four mountain ridges, converging at the summit in all four directions – east, south, west, and north. Beneath the Pine Corridor lies the Qianzhiduijuan (Thousand Branches Azalea) Botanical Garden, a botanical garden of hundreds of years old high-altitude plants, as well as the original forest and the high-altitude dwarf oak botanical garden. It's especially beautiful in the summer.

After more than three hours of climbing, you finally reach the summit of Baitianshan, where the four-digit number '1777' stands tall against the blue sky and white clouds, extremely prominent. Baitianshan boasts excellent protection of its natural environment and ecosystem, making it a highly valuable tourist destination that exemplifies the characteristics of the Dabie Mountain region. It's a fantastic place for nature lovers to hike and relax.

Clouds flow through the mountains, and the beauty of Dabie Mountain is only revealed after a strenuous climb.