Tianzi Mountains, China
Wulingyuan has four picturesque spots: Tianzi (Son of Heaven) Mountain Nature Reserve, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, and Yangjiajie picturesque Area.
Tianzi Mountain, located northwest of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, forms a ”golden triangle” with Zhangjiajie Forest Park and Suoxiyu Valley. The range spans 40 kilometers and covers 5400 hectares. Tianzi Mountain’s main summit stands at 1262.5 meters above sea level, dwarfing neighboring peaks. What distinguishes the Si Nan Yu is its elevation of only 534 meters above sea level. The cable car allows you easy access to the picturesque scenery. Furthermore, Tianzi Mountain offers approximately 100 natural viewing points.
Tianzi Mountain offers breathtaking views of peaks that rise one after another. It is dubbed ‘the Monarch of the Peak Forest’. At the summit of the mountain, visitors can overlook the entire Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Throughout the year, guests are greeted by stunning mountain views. The four wonders are the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, the Rays of Sunshine, and the Snow in winter.
Tianzi Mountain, like Suoxi Valley, was formed 318 million years ago from sedimentary rocks. Those rocks, eroded by water and wind, gradually transformed into quartz stones, forming the stunning peaks in the beautiful area.
With pine trees on top, the Yu Bi (imperial brushes) Peaks climb into the sky. According to legend, they are brushes used by Tianzi-Xiang Dakun, which turned into stone peaks following his sacrifice. The Xi’an Nv San Hua (floral tributes by fairies) is located slightly opposite the Yun Bi Peaks. According to folklore, Xiang Dakun and his army were beaten, forcing them to retreat to Tianzi Mountain. He fought until the end, but eventually went off the cliff. A girl in love with him traveled across the mountain to find him. She spread flowers on the rocks and transformed into a stone statue. Shen Bing Ju Hui is a forest of soldier-like peaks arranged for review.
The annual average temperature is 12 degrees Celsius, and the average rainfall is 1,800 millimeters. There are around 240 frost-free days. The ideal months to visit this peak are April, May, September, and October.
Visitors can use a cable car to see these picturesque peaks. The aerial tramway is 2,084 meters (about 2,279 yards) long and has a height difference of 692 meters (about 2,270 feet). The minimum operating time for a single journey is six minutes and twenty-two seconds, which allows guests to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Tianzi Mountain.
Despite the cold, you won’t want to miss the fantasy-like panorama as you approach the peak. The mountain offers a variety of sceneries throughout the year, all of which are equally beautiful—even magical: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine, and the Snow in winter.
Tianzi Mountain offers breathtaking views, including a sea of clouds, sunrise, snow-covered peaks in winter, and wavelike granite peaks. Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve’s major attractShentang Gulftang Gulf, Imperial Brush Peak, Fairy Offering Flowers, Helong Park, and Fields in the Air. Tourists will find all of this and more to explore.
Tianzi Mountain is a geological smoking gun demonstrating how amazing the Earth can be. The range’s formation is surprising: sedimentary rocks grew beneath the waters of an ancient ocean, eventually becoming quartz sandstones. Today, the Tianzi Mountain is capped with a layer of quartz rocks that is up to 380 million years old and 500 or 600 meters thick.
King Xiang and Tianzi MountainsPrior to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Tianzi Mountain was known as ”Qing Yan Mountain” because of its green stones. It wasn’t until 1353 that Xiang Dakun, the leader of the Tujia ethnic group, launched a revolt, erected a kindom on Tianzi Mountain, and declared himself ”King Xiang” – son of heaven. In 1385, they were subjected to a violent siege by 10,000 warriors led by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, King Xiang died during the combat and plunged into the Shentang Gulf. To show their appreciation and support for Xiang Dakun, people established communities along Tianzi Mountain. The mountain was dubbed “Tianzi Mountain”.
Shentang GulfShentang Gulf is untouched by human footsteps, resembling a magical green labyrinth. A bottomless gorge with bluffs is perpetually foggy. The legend claims that King Xiang died there. There is only one path to the heart of Shentang Gulf: a dangerous 9-step natural ladder with only one foot to stand on. A black lake lies at the core of the basin. Every view of the bottom will make you frightened. What’s most astonishing is that noises of beating drums and gongs, human voices, and horses neighing can be heard from the canyon.
Fields in the AirFields in the Air rises 1,000 meters above sea level. Below it lies a chasm with projecting sharp rocks, and above that is a 3 hectare terraced field. The field is flanked on three sides by trees and white clouds, like a magnificent landscape picture.
– Stage of appointing the commanderRugged boulders protrude out of a hazy gorge, as if a ruler was counting troops.
-He Long ParkThe Helong Park is situated to the left of a 1200-meter-high cliff. The Bronze Statue of Helong (founder of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army), China’s largest bronze statue in a century, exemplifies human harmony with nature and has a distinct style.
Bridge of ImmortalsThe Bridge of Immortals, commonly known as ”the first bridge beneath heaven”, is located on the Monkey Slope and faces the Prince Cave. Mother Nature’s creation spans 26 metres and rises 60 or 70 metres across cliffs. It is composed of red sandstones, with large pines and azalea trees on either end. Surprisingly, it features natural stone steps.
-The Heavenly Warrior’s GatheringAcross the Bridge of Immortals, hundreds of stone peaks are densely packed in a canyon, resembling a troop of intimidating warriors listening to commands from a commander. Such a forest of stone peaks is uncommon in the globe.
-The Imperial Brush Peak.For many years, Imperial Brush Peak has served as an inspiration to artists and photographers. It was formerly featured in more than 30 journals and newspapers. It is situated in a valley to the west of Tianzi Pavilion (Heaven’s Son Pavilion). Looking northeast, eleven sweeping peaks rise to the azure sky. The right peak resembles an inverted brush. And the peaks on the left resemble a full painting. According to legend, King Xiang departed the stone brush.
-Fairy Offering Flowers.Fairy Offering Flowers confronts King’s Brush Peak. Flowing mists wrap themselves over the peaks, transforming them into solitary islets. Stone buttes blend seamlessly with the clouds and mist. When the wind blows away the mists, a gorgeous ”fairy” is revealed. She takes a basket of flowers and distributes them over the world.
– One dangerous step.Two peaks were separated by a one-meter gap. Life and death are very close here. Do you dare to cross it?
-A Warrior Trains HorsesTens of peaks rise from the valley. There is a horse-shaped mountain here, and next to it is a stone shaped like a soldier holding a bridle. According to folklore, they served as King Xiang’s horses and guards.
-Marshall Rock Marshal Rock is thought to be the incarnation of King Xiang. It appears that a commander is rousing his troops.
– Tianzi PeakA 1200-meter-high peak known as ”Tianzi Peak” rises southwest of Tea-tray Pagoda. It appears to be a great man sitting there, dressed in armor, holding an arrow in his right hand and scowling ahead, as if he is about to fight.
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