Wangmang Mountain: Bridge to divinity

[Photo by Akhil Parashar/For chinadaily.com.cn]

At the site, one feels the spirit of the mountain and hears the whispers of history. There are more than 50 summits, the highest reaching 1,665 meters, the lowest standing at 800 meters.

Wangmang Mountain boasts numerous unique peaks and fascinating geographical conditions. It is hard for a person standing on a high ridge to describe the feeling.

There is nothing more spectacular than a typical sunrise on Wangmang Mountain. The day of our visit, the ridges and peaks were immersed in a vast ksea of mist and clouds. We could see a large area of green forest and enjoyed graceful flowers on the cliffs and beside the path.

The tiny village of Xiyagou is situated on a mountaintop. In earlier times, it had been isolated from the rest of the world. The only way to reach it was to ascend a narrow valley bordered by steep cliffs, and then climb a series of stone steps carved in the rock.

Cut off from the rest of the world, the village was doomed to become a ghost town unless a road could be built through the cliffs. Villagers of Xiyagou cut one by hand, starting in the 1960s. The project took 30 years to complete, but it was their only hope and they succeeded. Today, the village is accessible by car, a huge leap forward. When China opened its borders for tourism around 2000, the hand-cut tunnel became an attraction for thousands of visitors every year. Hotels sprang up to accommodate all the guests. And from there, the local economy has continued to expand.

Mountain climbing embodies traditions that tough the spirit of mankind. It’s a sacred feeling — the only reward is to be found within one’s heart. Wangmang Mountain provides a perfect landscape for photographers, professional or amateur, and a spectacular canvas of mountain scenery.

The sheer size and magnificence of these mountains with their shrouded peaks is a sight that will leave anyone breathless. The might of nature reminds me of the sheer insignificance of man. I have stood still for hours just gazing at the play of the Mountain Gods. I have seen Heaven meeting Earth. I have seen the bridge between divinity and reality.