West Coast

West Coast

Immerse yourself on the West Coast as you stroll leisurely along towering cliffs, gazing out at the vast sea of clouds, magnificent sunsets, undulating mountain ranges, and deep valleys—an extraordinary spectacle.

The West Coast is situated in the western part of Mount Sanqing and is the most expansive scenic area on the mountain, with an average elevation of 1,600 meters. Mount Sanqing was submerged by seawater three times, and the West Coast marks the ancient shoreline. The scenic area starts from a fork in the road 50 meters past Liuxia Platform in the south and extends to Hanxing Pool in the Sanqing Palace scenic area in the north, covering a hiking trail of about 4 kilometers. The walkway consists of the highest and longest high-altitude plank walkway in China.

The West Coast boasts four major wonders: the high-altitude plank walkway, sea of clouds, grand canyons, and ancient groves of notable trees. Strolling along the high-altitude plank walkway, with cliffs on one side, a deep valley on the other, and rolling mountain ranges in the distance, is an experience not to be missed. The sea of clouds at the West Coast is especially spectacular. In addition to the typical sea of clouds, there are also roaring "thunderclouds," surging "waterfall clouds," and one of the most breathtaking sights—the "Monkey King Offering Treasure." Gazing down into the great canyon from the walkway is also a rare experience.

The walkway is now largely complete, and once fully built, it will allow for walking, jogging, or even cycling. The imaginative people of Mount Sanqing have given this walkway a poetic name: "West Coast."

Geologically, Mount Sanqing has experienced three major marine transgressions. The third transgression occurred at the current altitude of around 1,600 meters, which means the walkway we see today was once the "coastline" during that period. Moreover, this walkway is located in the western part of Mount Sanqing, connecting the southern scenic area with the northern Taoist cultural essence—the Sanqing Palace. Hence, it was named the "West Coast."

The poetic nature of the name also lies in the fact that it provides visitors with a vast and safe viewing platform. This viewing platform fulfills a dream that the builders of Mount Sanqing have had for many years.

People will not forget how, over 10 years ago, eight university students from Shanghai came to Mount Sanqing for an "adventure trip." But when they saw the towering sword-like peaks and unfathomable canyons, they couldn’t help but gasp in awe. Still, four brave youths packed their bags, brought some dry rations, and ventured into the primeval forest in the west.

The students who stayed behind waited for news of their companions. Unaware of the fierce animals, steep cliffs, deep ravines, and dangerous valleys in the primeval forest—and with the added challenge of harsh weather—they had no idea that the markers left by the explorers had been washed away by wind and rain. Two days later, they reported the incident to the local government. This rescue operation, dubbed "SOS," alarmed authorities at all levels. After round-the-clock searches by multiple rescue teams, the four university students, who were on the brink of death, were finally found.

To this day, the names of these explorers are still preserved in the hotels on Mount Sanqing. It is recalled that after being rescued, the four students remarked—“The scenery on the western side of Mount Sanqing is incredibly beautiful, truly profound, boundless, and breathtakingly gorgeous!”

But ordinary tourists can’t quite grasp their feelings. Zhang Yisheng, known as the “Mount Sanqing expert,” who participated in the second national survey of scenic resources in 1982, said that his home is at the foot of Mount Sanqing. In the western scenic area, there are numerous large canyons such as Yangwan Grand Canyon, Guoqi Valley, Feixian Valley, and Honghua Oil Tea Valley. Hidden within dense forests and caves are also remnants of Taiping Rebellion soldiers forging weapons. But that’s not all—the most remarkable sights are the western area’s sea of clouds, stone seas, bamboo seas, and flower seas. The continuous primeval forests, uniquely shaped Sanqing pines, and ever-changing sea of clouds are sights rarely seen in other areas of Mount Sanqing. Then there are formations like the Goddess Sending a Child Peak, Piggy Rock, and Tang Monk Obtaining Scriptures Rock, which vividly resemble a Mount Sanqing version of *Journey to the West* ! Not to mention the thousand-acre fields of red oil tea in winter, the ten-thousand-acre fields of Sanqing azaleas in May, and the sea-like bamboo forests—all offering a “sea” in every season and a “tide” every day.

How can you take in the wonders of the western area within limited time and see all the major canyons? How can you allow visitors to stand on a safe and comfortable viewing platform to experience the grandeur and majestic atmosphere of Mount Sanqing’s western region? How can one truly appreciate the feeling of “overlooking all mountains as small” and the poetic mood? Now, the “West Coast” walkway solves all these questions at once.

Mount Sanqing

Sanqing Palace

Sanqing Blessed Land

Guanyin Appreciating Music at Mount Sanqing

The Maiden Opens Her Heart

Jinsha Cable Car

Sunshine Coast Scenic Area

Three Cave Entrances of Mount Sanqing

Tiyun Ridge

Nanqingyuan

Yujing Peak

Yuling Temple of Mount Sanqing

Shigu Ridge

Xihuatai of Mount Sanqing

Old Taoist Worshipping the Moon at Mount Sanqing

Longevity Park Scenic Area

Goddess of Spring

Giant Python Emerging from the Mountain