Clear springs flow over the stones

Clear springs flow over the stones

A pool of clear water glistens brightly, with underwater plants and fish on the rocks clearly visible.

Clear water cascades down from the dam, forming a waterfall. Hiking up along the stream, the path along the bank becomes increasingly rugged, dotted with large and small rocks that rise and fall. The stream narrows, and the flow grows more vigorous. After walking for half an hour, the steps gradually grow steeper. The mountain forest is lush and green, casting a cool shade over hikers. The stream meanders down the valley, and the sound of flowing water can be heard throughout the journey.

On the nearby huge rocks, there are numerous bold inscriptions in bright red. Along the way, you can admire these calligraphic works. ‘Pillar in the Midst of the Torrent’, ‘The Prime Vein of the Land’, ‘Famous Mountain Under Heaven’, ‘Spirit of China’, ‘Long Live the Sacred One’—with various scripts and diverse forms. These inscribers were truly clever, as they could achieve eternal fame just like Mount Tai.

Mount Tai, located in central Shandong Province, China, covers an area of 426 square kilometers, with its main peak, Yuhuangding, reaching an elevation of 1,545 meters.

Since ancient times, Mount Tai has been honored as the “Foremost of the Five Great Mountains” and the “First Mountain Under Heaven.” Around 2.5 billion years ago, the orogenic movement known as the “Mount Tai Movement” caused Mount Tai to emerge from the sea for the first time. Then, during the new tectonic movement 30 million years ago, a frontal fault occurred at the southern foot of Mount Tai, causing the basin to subside while the northern foot rose sharply, resulting in the towering and majestic form we see today. The granite of Mount Tai, komatiite, the three major faults, as well as the well-known “Steady as Mount Tai” and “Drunken Stone” all demonstrate the geological and geomorphological wonders of Mount Tai.

Due to the clarity of Mount Tai’s strata and the complexity of its rock formations, it has over 130 years of geological research history dating back to 1868, recognized by the global geological community.

As for the Colorful Stone Stream in Peach Blossom Valley on the western foothills of Mount Tai, the imprints of billions of years of rock and dike intrusions are displayed within inches, hence called the “Five Generations Under One Roof.” Stretching ten miles through the mountain valley, the colorful stones of Mount Tai are spread across the bottom of the stream, like a magnificent scroll painted by the hand of nature. Wandering through it, one marvels and admires the miraculous craftsmanship of nature, feeling refreshed and reluctant to leave.

Throughout human history, people around the world have often harbored a “mountain complex,” a kind of universal “mountain infatuation.” To climb a mountain is to ascend to the heavens. People all aspire, through mountain climbing, to fulfill their subconscious yearning and beautiful visions of reaching the sky.

Yet, it is rare for a great mountain to share its history with the civilization of a nation. The Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) documents the legend of seventy-two kings performing Fengshan ceremonies on Mount Tai. In ancient times, figures such as Shennong, the Yan Emperor, the Yellow Emperor, Yao, Shun, and Yu all came to Mount Tai to worship heaven and earth. China’s earliest historical document, the Book of Documents (Shangshu), states: In the second month of spring, Shun ascended Mount Tai, lit a fire at the summit for sacrifices—an act symbolizing the highest sacrificial authority attained by a successful ruler, and a symbol of imperial power.