Heavenly Pillar Pine

Heavenly Pillar Pine

The reason people favor pine trees is that they boast a majestic and vigorous posture, often symbolizing steadfastness, chastity, and longevity. Together with bamboo and plum, pines are known as the “Three Friends of Winter,” representing the resilient spirit of enduring adversity and overcoming challenges. When it comes to pine trees, Huangshan pines naturally come to mind.

The pines, clouds, and rocks of Huangshan are hailed as the “Three Wonders,” with the pines taking the lead—for instance, the world-famous Guest-Greeting Pine of Huangshan. In addition, other famous mountains such as Mount Tai in Shandong and Mount Lu in Jiangxi are also renowned for their scenic pine landscapes. Nestled within Qianshan County in southwestern Anhui, Tianzhu Mountain is also home to numerous pine trees. Over twenty years ago, when the State Council designated Tianzhu Mountain as a National Key Scenic Area, its approval stated: “Tianzhu Mountain is a granite mountainous scenic area, with its main peak rising 1,490 meters above sea level. Majestic and exquisite, it features numerous waterfalls and clear springs, dense forests, and an abundance of Huangshan pines over a thousand meters above sea level, all in diverse shapes. Its Guest-Greeting Pine is like a sister to the one on Huangshan.”

The *Annals of Tianzhu Mountain* describes the area as follows: “Below halfway up the mountain, Masson pines are common, but above Xiguan, ancient trunks twist and turn, their verdant leaves thick and deep—each a relic of a thousand years.”

Indeed, Tianzhu Mountain is covered in pines, whose needles vary from two, three, to five per bundle. The mountain is home to no fewer than ten thousand ancient pines that are a thousand years old, among which the “Top Ten Famous Pines” are the most distinctive. As the king of these pines, the Heavenly Pillar Pine King stands atop cliffs, rooted in crevices, overlooking a sheer drop and reaching toward the blue sky—upright and proud, exuding unmatched grandeur. Other pines, such as the Sister Pines, the Coiling Dragon Pine, the Cliff-Hanging Pine, and the Sea-Exploring Pine, display a variety of elegant forms.

As you ascend step by step toward Xiguan, you’ll encounter many pines with peculiar shapes, making it a gathering of unique and extraordinary pines. The first one you’ll see is the “Dragon Claw Pine” (recorded in old documents as the Tianzhu Pine), located in the Mysterious Valley area and marked with a signboard in both Chinese and English for the understanding of both domestic and international visitors. The pine’s upper right branch curves horizontally, strikingly resembling a dragon’s claw, evoking images of the dragon emblems from ancient imperial palaces—leaving you in awe of its majestic presence. That morning, thick fog enveloped the area, and the Dragon Claw Pine appeared hazy in digital photos, much like the timeless symbol of the dragon.

After passing through the Mysterious Valley and about 50 meters before the Trial Heart Bridge, take a left turn and descend a steep stone staircase, and there it is—the Heavenly Pillar Pine, or the Tianzhu Huangshan Pine, that we’ve been most eager to see.

The Heavenly Pillar Pine is nestled between cliffs by the side of Tianchi Peak. It grows out of stubborn rocks and thrives along the mountain face, embodying an indomitable and noble spirit. It stands against wind and frost, meant to be admired from afar rather than approached closely, exuding the aura of a true monarch. Entirely growing on the cliff edge, it touches no soil and rises boldly alongside jagged rocks. Its branches stretch powerfully into the open air, resembling either a hospitable angel or a sister to the Guest-Greeting Pine of Huangshan.

This Tianzhu Huangshan Pine grows on a cliff face a thousand meters high, facing Tianzhu Peak and Feilai Peak, with a bottomless abyss below. Though the pine stands no taller than 5 meters and is no thicker than 80 centimeters in diameter, it is no youngster—survey data indicates it has lived for over 1,500 years. Exactly how old it is doesn’t really matter. This pine is undoubtedly an elder statesman among the Tianzhu Pines. From an aesthetic point of view, its location is even more dramatic than that of the Guest-Greeting Pine on Huangshan.

For thousands of years, this pine has spread its branches wide, providing a canopy of green leaves, unafraid of biting winds and snow cover. What has kept it alive for a millennium? The reasons include: first, since ancient times, there has only been one treacherous path leading here, rarely visited by humans over the centuries, leaving the pine largely undisturbed in its growth. Second, its high elevation meets the cold-resistant needs of pines. Additionally, growing on a cliff face protects it from pests, and being under the peaks offers natural lightning protection—ensuring its safety.

Tour guides tell visitors that the pine is either 1,200 or 1,400 years old. Exactly how old it is, however, isn’t all that important—though calling in a forestry expert to determine its age wouldn’t be too difficult. Regardless, this pine is undoubtedly the elder among the pines of Xiguan Tianzhu. From an appreciation standpoint, its location is far more perilous than that of the Huangshan Pine—when visitors take photos with the Heavenly Pillar Pine King, steel guardrails are often visible in the background. For a thousand years, this pine has spread its branches and provided a lush green canopy, standing fearless against the fierce winter winds and snow, demonstrating a tenacious character and a spirit of battling nature that is truly worthy of our admiration.