A fairy mountain made popular by Zhang Sanfeng. What’s it like now? In Zhangxian County, Dingxi City, Gansu Province, I climbed the most famous Zheyang Mountain here. Walking in it is like being in a painting. In the continuous drizzle, the green mountains are surrounded by clouds and mist. The mountain paths are deep and quiet, and the streams in the forest gurgle, making people feel relaxed and happy. The ancient trees blocking the sky in front of me instantly cool the hot and restless heart. Looking from a high place, there are continuous mountains, waterfalls, streams, and ancient trees creating the original beauty of nature. As early as the Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties, this was a famous tourist attraction in Longshang. There are ancient relics such as Sanskrit sutra boards and inscriptions by celebrities of the Song and Ming Dynasties. There are also relics such as the place where Lu Dongbin got drunk three times. Moreover, there is the eternal mystery of Zhang Sanfeng’s disappearance. As soon as entering the mountain gate, one can see the tall and burly statue of Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of the Wudang School. He has big ears, round eyes, and a beard like a halberd. Zhang Sanfeng often travels around, so his whereabouts are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden, making it difficult to determine his location. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, due to the war, the palaces and temples on Wudang Mountain were destroyed. Zhang Sanfeng left here and traveled around the world. In the 24th year of Hongwu, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty sent people to look for him but never found his whereabouts. Later, he was once dead and then revived in Jintai Temple in Baoji. From then on, his reputation greatly increased. Later, he mysteriously disappeared again. During the Yongle period, Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty also sent people to search in the west but never found him. Later, Zhang Sanfeng traveled to Zheyang Mountain, ‘Little Kongtong’, and concentrated on practicing and preaching here. The common people in Zhangxian County and Minxian County still pass on the magical legends of Zhang Sanfeng putting ducks in the well, turning over the pot and licking the bottom, and burning the kang with an iron plow. Finally, Zhang Sanfeng became an immortal on Yüsun Peak in Zheyang Mountain. Zheyang Mountain is composed of three parts: Xixi, Dongxi, and Yimeng Mountain. Xixi is composed of Jinjia Gully and several small canyons. It is 7.5 kilometers long and is the essence of tourism in the whole mountain. There are many inscriptions by celebrities of the Song and Ming Dynasties in Xixi. Due to the long history, the handwriting has become blurred. But the inscriptions of ‘Xixi’ and ‘Yunshou Cave’ by Zhang Shunmin, a famous poet in the Northern Song Dynasty, are still clearly visible. Zhang Shunmin was an honest and upright official. Because he dared to speak and act, he offended many people. Later, he was framed by villains and exiled to Zheyang Mountain and lived in seclusion here. There is also a seven-character quatrain by Fang Yuanyi of the Ming Dynasty on the ‘Cliff of Inscriptions’. Thus, it can be seen that Zheyang Mountain was a very popular place for cultivation in ancient times. It attracts more and more people to come here for sightseeing. The flowers and plants in Zheyang Mountain sway in the rain. Along the clear stream going upstream, wild flowers are blooming on both sides. From time to time, wild mushrooms in the forest can be found. If you are lucky, you can also encounter animals such as little squirrels. Coming here for leisure and vacation and breathing the freshest air is a very suitable place for purifying the soul. Due to the rain, we only walked a part of it and didn’t finish it all. It’s a pity. We can only wait for the next time to climb the heavenly ladder, see the alpine meadow, and cross the tiankeng canyon.
This place has now become a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and a haven for rock climbing. Although we did not fully explore Shaan Mountain, we discovered a very unique homestay at the foot of the mountain. Due to the rain, we decided to stay here for the night. Huazhu Shaan Mountain Tianhua Hotel Homestay is located at the foot of the mountain inside the scenic area, with 11 independently designed cabins offering views of Shaan Mountain from various angles. Outside the windows, there are verdant grasslands and green mountains, with continuous bird songs in the forest, and delicious food that warms both the stomach and the heart. Sitting on the outdoor terrace lounge chair, feeling the gentle breeze, one can truly relax and enjoy the moment. Each room is an independent design with different shapes, mostly large double beds. There are triangular areas, bird nest shapes, space capsules, starry mystery duplexes, forest wild double beds, and shark-shaped designs, all very innovative. Seeing the exterior shapes, we did not hesitate to stay. I stayed in a triangular area star room, and inside it was quite spacious. There is a large bed, a sofa, and the roof is a triangular glass top, allowing one to lie in bed and count the stars at night. The bathroom is also uniquely designed with a pure wood triangular shape, with a complete set of dry and wet separation and toiletries. There is a terrace where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Shaan Mountain, and chat with friends staying opposite, truly a comfortable and carefree experience. On a cool evening, you still need a quilt, and air conditioning is unnecessary. Even though it rained, the morning scenery was different, with Shaan Mountain visible through the window, the mountain top shrouded in mist, full of fairy spirit. A complimentary exquisite Western breakfast is provided, one per person. Staying in such a beautiful homestay in the mountains far from the hustle and bustle of the city makes this trip worthwhile. Sometimes, it’s not the scenery that matters, but the enjoyment of the travel process itself. Encountering bad weather on the road, but finding the best homestay, contentment is the key to happiness.
Related Content：
Jiangnan Song City: Scenic Beauty, Hakka Cradle, and Fun in Ganzhou!
West of Tibet, Towards the Scorching Mountains and Rivers
Suzhou, Shanghai, Zhejiang: A 3-Person Self-Drive Adventure
Follow Xia Ningbao to the Jiangnan water town – Zhujiajiao Ancient Town.
Whispers of the Great Mountains: A 3-Day Self-Driven Tour in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Winter Tour in Mingyue Mountain, Jiangxi. Play with snow on the mountain and soak in hot springs at the foot. See waterfalls and floating clouds and take a small train. Beautiful scenery and fun activities.