Immortal on Stilts

Immortal on Stilts

Introduction: In front of Paiyun Pavilion, if you look straight ahead into the distance, you will see a rock formation. Its lower part is extremely slender, like a stick inserted into the ground, while the upper part resembles a person standing upright, leaning slightly forward. This shape closely resembles the folk performance "walking on stilts," hence the name. When clouds and mist envelop the area, it looks as if an immortal is walking on stilts, taking in the scenery amid the peaks and valleys of the West Sea—resembling an immortal on high stilts. Legend has it that the Eight Immortals were dissatisfied with the enlightenment they had already attained. After discussing among themselves, they decided to come to Mount Huangshan to seek guidance from the Yellow Emperor on the ultimate way to immortality. As the Eight Immortals traveled from afar and reached the outskirts of Mount Huangshan, they were faced with a vast, turbulent sea of clouds stretching before them. The other seven immortals each displayed their divine powers and successfully crossed the West Sea. However, the lame Immortal Iron-Crutch Li, lagging behind, looked around at the endless sea of clouds. He noticed that around the White Cloud Hermitage beneath his feet, there grew thousands of towering, verdant bamboo stalks. Thinking that to cross this extraordinary sea he would need special tools, Li respectfully went into the White Cloud Hermitage and sought help from the venerable monk Changsi. The monk then instructed a young novice to go up the mountain and cut down two of the tallest and thickest premium bamboo poles, which were given to Iron-Crutch Li. After expressing his gratitude, Li immediately used his magical powers. The two bamboo poles, ten zhang long (approx. 33 meters) and weighing a thousand jin (approx. 500 kilograms), felt as light as a feather in his hands. He thrust them upright into the air, and they instantly became two towering pillars. With a loud clap of thunder, the immortal Li was seen ascending to the top of the bamboo pillars. As he moved his lame legs, the two pillars transformed into a giant pair of sky-high stilts. Amid the surging waves of clouds, he played acrobatic tricks while strolling across the West Sea. But little did he know that beneath the vast sea of clouds lay not a smooth path or open water, but countless hidden jagged peaks, deep valleys, and sheer cliffs. While performing his stilt-walking acrobatics among the clouds, he suddenly "pfft"—got his stilt stuck in a crevice between rocks and could not pull it out. Over the years, through erosion by frost, snow, wind, and rain, the immortal who once walked on stilts turned into a massive stone figure, forever standing on the eastern shore of the West Sea of Mount Huangshan.

Anhui, Huangshan City