The peak of imagination

It has numerous imposing peaks, massive granitic boulders and ancient pine trees. Growing from cracks in the rocks, some of the pine trees are gnarled, while some stand sentinel, with an umbrella-like canopy remaining green throughout the year. In winter and spring, frost crowns the pine needles, turning the view into a wonderland.

There are also waterfalls, lakes and hot springs.

Hundreds of kilometers away from the coast, the Huangshan Mountain scenic area is divided into five sections named after hai (sea) according to their location, because of an iconic sea of clouds, each of which displays different characteristics — heavy, tranquil, wreathed in mist and churning.

In 2006, former researcher at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences Pu Qingyu, now in his 80s, joined a research program into Huangshan's granite geomorphic landscape for six years.

According to their research findings, the granitic pluton of Huangshan dates back around 120 million years, but the imposing peaks and deep valleys were gradually formed around a million years ago, eroded by wind, rain, gravity disintegration and glaciation. However, there remains debate over the latter.

Pu explains in a documentary featuring Huangshan that the granite outcroppings on the mountain cover more than 70 percent of its area, forming the main body of its rock landscape.

The Qianhai (Front Sea) and Nanhai (South Sea) sections have tall and majestic bodies, while the peaks at the Beihai (North Sea) section are steep and more exquisite. Xihai (West Sea) is a precipitous, magnificent canyon.