Hua Shan Mountain, Shaanxi Province, China. One of the five holy mountains of Taoism in China, located in the range of Qin Ling. It is famous for picturesque rocks and a difficult and dangerous ascent on the top. The path in the mountains connects many tops till the highest one of 2100m, it's a unique route. On the way there are a lot of Taoist monasteries, pagodas, temples, gates and bridges. In China they say: "If you have visited the five holy mountains of China, you may not go to the others, but if you have visited Hua Shan, even those four are not necessary". The Hua Mountains used to be called Si Yue - "Western Mountains". The name "Hua Shan" - "Blossoming Mountan" they got due to the resemblance of five peaks of theirs: the Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern and Central - with a lotus flower.
The Hua Shan Mountains are closely connected with Taoism and are mentioned in its early texts as one of the places suitable for Taoist religious practices and alchemy lessons. They say that Lao Zi himself lived here. The most part of the constructions were built here in the period of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Up to date the well preserved are Yuquan (the XI century), Dongdao temple (1714) and Zhenyue palace of the Yuan dynasty. In December 1990 UNESCO included Hua Shan in the list of the objects of the world nature heritage. Now this place is rather popular among tourists. You may climb the mountain either on foot or by funicular. 5 hours up along the path from the town of the same name. Traditionally pilgrims have climbed only along the path and slept under one of the mountains to go around all five peaks the next morning.
Tourists
Strange combination indeed: cucumbers and soda water.
The rocks with lots of small temples, caves, stairs...
On the top at last.
Very narrow stairs
It's really the place of calmness - all temples, caves, stairs are in full harmony with the landscape.
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