Beginning-to-Believe Peak

Beginning-to-Believe Peak

Beginning-to-Believe Peak

Located 1 kilometer east of North Sea

Elevation

1668 meters.

Legend

It is said that the Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake, after visiting Huangshan, praised it highly: “Nowhere under heaven compares to the scenery of Huangshan in Huizhou. Once you’ve climbed Huangshan, no other mountain under heaven is worth seeing—this is the ultimate!” When Chen Jiubi, the magistrate of Taiping County during the Kangxi era, first climbed Huangshan, he thought Xu Xiake was exaggerating. But upon reaching Beginning-to-Believe Peak, he was captivated by the scenery of Huangshan and finally believed Xu Xiake’s words. He then wrote on the wall of the Lion Forest Guest Hall: “Unbelievable, words cannot describe it; truly marvelous, one only understands upon arrival.” This is the famous origin of the name “Beginning-to-Believe Peak.”

Legend

Famous Pines

Famous Pines of Huangshan

This area gathers many renowned pines of Huangshan, such as the Greeting Pine, Black Tiger Pine, Twin Pine, Dragon Claw Pine, Crouching Dragon Pine, and Sea Exploring Pine. The Stone Spur Peak and Rising Peak flank it on both sides, forming a tripod-like formation. At the peak is the Immortal Crossing Bridge, and beside the bridge in the crevices of the rocks stands the Greeting Pine, which resembles an immortal guiding others across the bridge. From Stone Spur Peak, visitors can admire numerous peculiar rocks.

Poetic Quotations

Among them: “Stone Spur Ridge” is known as the “No. 1 Wonder of Huangshan,” while “Eighteen Arhats Paying Homage to the South Sea” is strikingly lifelike and fascinating. There is a platform at the peak where ancient literati often ascended to enjoy the view, compose poetry, paint, drink wine, and play the guqin, hence it is also called the Zither Platform.

Features

Main Features

The characteristics of Beginning-to-Believe Peak are its exquisite rock formations, clusters of uniquely shaped pines, three sides surrounded by cliffs, and thousands of feet of precipices,

shrouded in mist and rosy clouds, presenting a uniquely graceful charm.

Historical Anecdotes

Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, Huang Xiyuan traveled from Yungu Temple to this peak. As if entering a painted scene, the experience felt both dreamlike and real, convincing him of the extraordinary beauty of Huangshan. He thus named it “Beginning-to-Believe,” and the name gradually became widely known. On the cliff to the right of the Pure Land Gate, there is an inscription by Fu Zengxiang of the Republic of China, which reads: “The splendor of Huangshan surpasses all under heaven, with its secluded, elegant, mystical, and extraordinary beauty gathered in the Back Sea. Beginning-to-Believe Peak and Cool Terrace are especially unique. For twenty years, I have trekked through thousands of peaks. Even grand sights like Heng, Hua, Tai, and Lu, though also called magnificent, cannot match the combination of all these beauties. Upon reaching the summit and taking in the view, my praises were exhausted. I can only briefly highlight the essentials to inform future visitors. The ‘beauty’ of Beginning-to-Believe Peak lies in its delicate and exquisite cluster of peaks and abrupt cliffs, referred to as ‘upright beauty,’ and also in its ancient pines standing tall and gracefully, known as ‘secluded beauty.’ Hence the saying: ‘If you haven’t been to Beginning-to-Believe Peak, you haven’t seen the pines of Huangshan.’ Coupled with its position above the cliffs, surrounded by drifting clouds, it also appears ‘ethereally beautiful.’ From the peak, you can also take in the surrounding scenery: the palace-like North Sea Hotel, the vibrantly blooming Flower Scattering Valley, the Stone Monkey Gazing at the Sea in front of Cool Terrace, the forest of stone spurs on Stone Spur Ridge, the competing wonders of the West Sea, and the faintly visible fertile fields of Taiping. Fu Zengxiang wrote in a poem: ‘The peak’s wonder I now truly believe, living up to this peak’s name.’ Looking down at Flower Scattering Valley, every peak is carved like jade. No birds fly past the towering heights, but pine trees stretch across the rocky spans. I too lament my waning inspiration, my empty efforts to gift my brush in praise.” Travelers throughout history have been captivated by the peak’s unique beauty and the breathtaking scenery around it.

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