Mount Wutai's five peaks

Distant view of the town of Taihuai, Mount Wutai, on Feb 10 [Photo/wutaishan.city.sohu.com]

Mount Wutai, in Shanxi province gets its name from its five peaks, from each of which a visitor gets a different view, as reflected in the local saying, "watch sunrise from the eastern peak, see mountain flowers on the southern peak, enjoy the moonlight from the western peak, see the snow on the northern peak, and bathe in Buddhist glory on the middle peak".

The snow comes each October and doesn't melt until the following April, but this never stops people from climbing up to one of the mountain tops and enjoy the scenery, whether the person is a Buddhist or not. And you can pick a peak to climb at will and not be disappointed. The eastern peak is 16 kilometers northeast of the town of Taihuan, the center of Wutai and the most densely populated. The peak has an elevation of 2,795 meters and it's 1.5 km long. Sunrise brings a spectacular sight each morning and you can also see a sea of clouds, hence the name, Wanghai, or "Watching the sea (of clouds)". It also has a 16-meter tall building with three floors, from which you can enjoy the sunrise and clouds.

The southern peak has an elevation of 2,485 m and sits 25 km southwest of Taihuai and is covered with vegetations, the most famous of which is the golden lotus, "ri ju", a type of chrysanthemum and the silver-plate mushroom, both of them very rare. Another interesting sight is the livestock -- mules, horses, cattle and sheep -- driven by local herdsmen singing folk songs. On top of the nearby hill there is the Puji Temple, a quiet, classic Buddhist temple.

The western peak, near Moon Hill and the town of Fanzhi, is 23 km west of Taihuai and has an elevation of 2,773 m high and a length of 1-km. When the moon is high above, the moonlight covers the peak and it resembles a bright mirror.

The northern peak, near Cloud and Mist Hill and the village of Miaode'an, sits to the north of Taihuai, with an elevation of 3,058 m and a length of 2 km. It is often covered in snow because of the cold temperatures. Climbing it is easier June to September, and at other times, the violent wind can uproot young trees, which is why there are few trees on it. But, if you're not afraid of the cold, come enjoy the peak in the snow because, when it snows, the whole area is white.

The middle peak, Mount Pingding, is 2894–m tall and the largest of the five, and sits 20 km northwest of Taihuai. It has four water sources at Taihua pond, Ganlu fountain, Yuhua pond and Sanzhu fountain and connects the western and northern peaks. The weather at the top changes rapidly and it can be alternately raining and shining in summer, with rain at the foot of the hill and the sun shining brightly up on top. Temperature can reach - 45 C.

Edited by Roger Bradshaw