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Zhongnan Mountains, also called Taiyi Mountain, includes Cuihua Mountain, South Wutai Mountain, and Guifeng Mountain, etc. It stands graciously and straightly in the southwest of Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province.

Cuihua Mountain lies 30 km away from Xi’an City, and is known for its odd peaks and strange caves and clean pools as well as ancient temples. In the second year (109BC) of the Yuanfeng year in the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD), the Taiyi Palace was constructed at the mountain pass (Dayu Pass), hence the name Taiyi Mountain. Scenic spots mainly include the Taiyi Pool, the Wind Cave, the Ice Cave, and the Cuihua Temple, etc. The Taiyi Pool is a lake between mountains, and is said to be formed by earthquake in the Tianbao reign of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is surrounded by high and steep mountains, and has jade green water and slightly rolling waves. The Wind Cave, formed by two big granite rocks, lies west of Taiyi Mountain, and is 15 meters high and 40 meters deep. It feels cool inside thanks to the flowing air through the cave. To the north of the Wind Cave, there lies the Ice Cave. Hard ice can be easily found in it even in summer. There is a Zhengcha Reservoir in the mountain. When water runs down, it presents a magnificent scene.

The South Wutai Mountain abounds in medicinal materials, and was referred to as the most mystical and beautiful scenery of Zhongnan Mountain. There stand five peaks on the mountaintop, namely Guanyin, Wenshu, Qingliang, Sheshen, and Lingying. The Baoquan Spring is located half way up the mountain. It tastes as sweet as sugarcane, and is an ideal place for sampling tea and taking a break. The Dusong (single pine tree) Attic, also half way up the mountain, gets its name because of the only old pine tree inside the attic. The Guanyin Terrace, also named Giant Terrace, is situated above the Dusong Attic.

Guifeng Mountain is commonly known as Jianshan Mountain, including Zige, Dading, Lingyun and Luohan peaks. It is gracious and high, with the shape of Guiyu (jade), hence the name. Its main scenic spot is the Gaoguan Waterfall, which is located on the northern side of Guifeng Mountain. Having a fall of 20 meters, the waterfall sends thunderous sounds as water pours down into the deep pond. Huge stones erect above the upper reaches of the waterfall, which forms a pond. The lower reaches of the waterfall is more gentle, and a lake as tranquil as a mirror is formed there.

(Source: chinaculture.org)

Yulong Snow Mountain stands beside the Jinshajiang River, northwest of the Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. Shanzidou, the main peak of the mountain, clad in white snow all year round, rises 5,596 meters above sea level. The 13 peaks, distributed from the south to the north, with the south-north length of 35 km and the east-west width of 12 km, are like a silver white jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence the name Yulong (jade dragon) Snow Mountain. Numerous species of plants grow in the mountain, and are distributed vertically in accordance with height and climate. The mountain enjoys the fame of the Treasure House of Plants.

Her beauty stems not only from the grand mountains and silver white snow, but also from the fast-changing climate with the alternation of day and night and the shifting of the four seasons. There are many other scenic attractions atop the mountain. Because of the steep cliff of the main peak, the mountain is yet to be conquered, albeit mountaineering teams from home and abroad have tried.

In the Yufeng Temple, there is a world famous camellia tree. Though it is only about 3 meters tall, 20,000-odd flowers blossom every year. As legend goes, the tree was planted in the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). From the roots, the tree is identified as a silk tree combined by two. With twisted roots and gnarled branches, the two are closely connected. As a result, the leaves appear in two shapes, and the flowers have two kinds, the rosy red and the pink.

(Source: chinaculture.org)