Bai Bu Yun Ti (Hundred Steps Ladder)
Have you climbed a mountain recently?
- Tianzhu Mountain, like a pillar holding up the sky.
Tianzhu Peak
Tianzhu Mountain has a main peak at an altitude of 1,489.8 meters. Just as its name suggests, it stands independently and toweringly, like a pillar holding up the sky, hence the name “Tianzhu”.
It is bordered by the Dabie Mountains in the northwest and faces the Yangtze River in the southeast. Tianzhu Mountain is located in Qianshan City, Anqing City, Anhui Province.
Starting from Hangzhou, it takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes by high-speed rail to reach Qianshan. Then, by taking a direct shuttle bus (10 yuan), it takes about 50 minutes to arrive at the Tianzhu Mountain tourist center.
Penglai Peak
This place is located at the composite part of the eastern section of the Dabie orogenic belt between the North China and Yangtze plates and the Tan-Lu fault zone. It is an important section of the ultra-high pressure metamorphic belt with the largest scale, deepest exposure, best exposure, and richest combination of ultra-high pressure minerals and rocks in the world. It records the spectacular geological history process of continental plate collision, subduction, and return. Therefore, it has become one of the most typical areas for studying continental dynamics.
After purchasing tickets (130 yuan/person) at the tourist center, transfer to a scenic shuttle bus (round trip 30 yuan) to go to the South Gate or the Dalongwo cableway to start climbing.
If you don’t like climbing too much, you can take the Dalongwo cableway up and down the mountain: 80 yuan for the upward journey and 60 yuan for the downward journey.
“The one peak of Tianzhu holds up the sun and moon. The cave gate with thousands of feet locks the clouds and thunder.” Tianzhu Mountain is famous for its most beautiful granite landform on the Tan-Lu fault zone. Especially with its collapse and accumulation landform, it has become the representative of similar landscapes in the country and won the title and reputation of “Tianzhu Mountain-type” granite landform. The natural scenery is majestic, strange, spiritual, and beautiful. It is a place where literati gather. For example, Bai Juyi, Li Bai, Wang Anshi, Su Shi, Zhu Xi, and others have all traveled here and left praiseworthy poems.
Penglai Peak
In addition, there are many ancient and famous trees on Tianzhu Mountain. Especially the ancient pines are not inferior to those on Mount Huangshan.
- Tianzhu Mountain, a cool mountain.
Mysterious Valley
If you choose to take the Dalongwo cableway up the mountain, after getting off the cableway at Zhenyi Gang at the end point, there are two walking routes: a small loop and a large loop.
The small loop takes 2 to 3 hours to complete: Zhenyi Gang – Mysterious Valley – Tianchi Peak – Penglai Peak – Tianzhu Peak – Bai Bu Yun Ti (Hundred Steps Ladder) – Zongguanzhai – Dalongwo cableway (downhill).
The large loop takes 4 to 5 hours to complete: Zhenyi Gang – Mysterious Valley – Tianchi Peak – Penglai Peak – Tianzhu Peak – Baiyue Terrace – Qinglong Back – Ganlu Spring – Lian Dan Lake – Dalongwo cableway (downhill).
First of all, it is because of the high altitude and high forest coverage rate of Tianzhu Mountain. The forest coverage rate of Tianzhu Mountain is as high as 97%. The rich vegetation helps regulate temperature and humidity, creating a cool climate.
Looking at Lian Dan Lake from the mountain
The annual average rainfall in the Tianzhu Mountain area is abundant, reaching more than 1,900 millimeters. The abundant rainfall and the existence of mountain streams, waterfalls and other water bodies further increase the humidity of the air and lower the temperature.
For example, Lian Dan Lake on Tianzhu Mountain, as the third largest alpine lake in China, plays a certain role in regulating the temperature. The lake water is cool and clear, bringing a hint of coolness in summer and increasing the cool feeling of Tianzhu Mountain.
- Tianzhu Mountain, seeing the mountain in the fog.
Tianzhu Mountain is also foggy. The average number of foggy days here is about 250 days throughout the year, with a maximum of 300 days and a minimum of 200 days.
The main peak, Tianzhu Peak, cannot be climbed and can only be viewed from a distance. About half of the year, it is hidden in the clouds and fog. Whether you can see it depends on luck.
Looking at Tianzhu Peak from Tianchi Peak
Whenever the fog begins to change unpredictably, sometimes gathering into clusters and sometimes drifting like silk, it adds a bit of liveliness to the strange peaks and rocks of Tianzhu Mountain. In the midst of the clouds and fog, the mountains loom faintly, like a mirage, making people’s imaginations run wild.
Crossing the “Du Xian Bridge” can lead to the top of Tianchi Peak. This is a better position for viewing Tianzhu Peak. When the weather is clear, the view here is wide. It is also a better place to watch the sunrise, sea of clouds, and sunset.
Qinglong Back is a huge and long narrow ridge on the mountain. Walking on it is thrilling. At the end is a viewing platform with three sheer cliffs called “Wanjing Terrace”. Standing on the Wanjing Terrace and viewing when the fog is thick is like riding on clouds.
Lian Dan Lake is an alpine artificial lake on Tianzhu Mountain. The altitude is 1,100 meters. It is known as the third largest alpine artificial lake in China. After rain or in the early morning, the lake surface is often surrounded by clouds and mist, like a jade pool in a fairyland.