Green Lu Mountain

Green Lu Mountain

Green Lu Mountain

"Green Lu Mist" refers to Green Lu Mountain near Tanwei Town in Lingshan County. Relying on the ancient architectural complex at Shajing and ecological farming bases, along with leisure tourism at the reservoir and mountain climbing, it has been developed into a comprehensive tourist area. Green Lu Mountain, with an elevation of over 590 meters, is located in Tanwei Town, Lingshan County. National Highway 209 passes through the area, making transportation quite convenient. Before the Ming Dynasty, it was selected as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Lingshan under the name "Green Lu Mist." The origin of the mountain’s name comes from legend—some say it was named after a green precious furnace dug up by people in ancient times on this mountain, while others say it’s because the mountain is covered with abundant reeds, hence the name. According to local villagers, Green Lu Mountain is also called Six Furnace Mountain. Legend has it that in ancient times, six incense burners flew down from the sky, and indigenous residents once unearthed a burner at the mountaintop that was the color of refined gold and slightly tinged with copper rust. There is also a folk tale that says a wealthy man in the past, despite owning immense riches, could never find peace, so he secretly sent servants to transport his treasures to this mountain and hide them in six concealed furnaces, hence the name "Six Furnace Mountain."

Green Lu Mountain is covered mostly with pine trees and few other types of trees, with lush forests often shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. In spring and summer, misty rain is commonly seen. Whenever the rain clears and the sky brightens, white clouds linger for a long time. There used to be a waterfall in the mountain’s belly, where splashing water turned rocks into mist that blended with the clouds, creating a hazy scene—"Green Lu Mist" got its name from this and was listed among the Eight Scenic Spots of Lingshan. Legend has it that there are 36 scenic spots on the mountain, such as Immortal Tablet Peak, Wild Cat Beach, Horse Hanging Urine, Immortal Peach Ridge, Big and Small Lion Heads, Sea-Viewing Peak, and Nanhua Stone House. Ancient poets once praised Green Lu Mountain with the verse: “Piercing the clouds, the refreshing scenery pleases the eye; light rain and faint mist veil the mountaintop. From on high, I smile at the age-old world; reeds sway along the winding stone path.”

At the foot of the mountain was originally a natural large mountain pond, which was expanded into Tianding Mountain Reservoir in 1985. Tianding Mountain is the local name for Nanhua Mountain, located northwest of Green Lu Mountain. The scenery of this reservoir is no less beautiful than that of Lingdong Reservoir, and may even surpass it. There are two small islands in the lake, a big one and a small one, reminiscent of the Greater and Lesser Yingzhou Islands of West Lake.

Walking eastward along the lakeside mountain road to the western end of the reservoir, you reach the outlet of the mountain stream where mountain spring water flows into the reservoir. Along the way, you’ll see thousands of huge boulders that rolled down the mountain thousands of years ago. Beneath them flows clear mountain spring water. A special pipeline has now been installed to channel the water down the mountain for drinking. Upon reaching the mountaintop, a spectacular sea of clouds unfolds.

Such a marvelous sea of clouds is unique to Green Lu Mountain—a gift bestowed by nature upon her. Reaching the summit, clusters of massive rocks standing atop the peak inspire a heroic feeling of “laughing from on high as the world grows old.”

Atop the peak stands a massive rock known as the Immortal Tablet Stone, with a girth of about 20 meters and a height of over 10 meters. It is said that at the center of the stone’s top is a footprint left by an immortal’s straw sandal, which reveals inscriptions on rainy days, and anyone who sees it will receive good fortune. To gain the fleeting revelations of the Immortal Tablet, one presumably needs to have a touch of immortality. The Green Lu Mountain range runs from east to west, connected with surrounding ranges such as Liangguan Mountain, Fairy Ridge, Zhenwu Ridge, and Chenghuang Ridge, forming an arc-shaped natural barrier that steadfastly guards the southern side of the county town. Green Lu Mountain is covered mostly with pine trees and few other types of trees, with lush forests often shrouded in clouds and mist all year round. In spring and summer, misty rain is commonly seen. Whenever the rain clears and the sky brightens, white clouds linger for a long time. There used to be a waterfall in the mountain’s belly, where splashing water turned rocks into mist that blended with the clouds, creating a hazy scene—"Green Lu Mist" got its name from this and was listed among the Eight Scenic Spots of Lingshan. Legend has it that there are 36 scenic spots on the mountain, such as Immortal Tablet Peak, Wild Cat Beach, Horse Hanging Urine, Immortal Peach Ridge, Big and Small Lion Heads, Sea-Viewing Peak, and Nanhua Stone House. Ancient poets once praised Green Lu Mountain with the verse: “Piercing the clouds, the refreshing scenery pleases the eye; light rain and faint mist veil the mountaintop. From on high, I laugh at the age-old world; reeds sway along the winding stone path.” The landscape has a personality, and Green Lu Mountain’s is reserved, carrying a kind of shy coyness like “reluctantly appearing only after being called countless times, still holding the pipa half-concealed.” Beautiful and solemn, Green Lu Mountain always hides the charm bestowed by nature within every rock, blade of grass, and tree, allowing people to glimpse her beauty as they walk, to possess her beauty, and to appreciate each moment of its emergence and exuberance in tranquil observation. Northwest of Green Lu Mountain is Nanhua Mountain, commonly known as Tianding Mountain. At the mountainside, there was originally a large natural mountain pond, which was expanded into Tianding Mountain Reservoir in 1958. The lake water is crystal clear; when a breeze blows, ripples spread out, especially enchanting in the misty rain—the charm is truly indescribable. Hiking up the winding mountain path, the scenery along the way makes you reluctant to leave, yet also draws you onward to discover new views. Occasionally protruding giant rocks by the roadside can make you forget the fatigue of the climb; intermittent birdsong, melodious and graceful, helps you forget your slight loneliness; the lush greenery of the mountain helps you forget worldly troubles. Mountain streams and springs flow carefully and cautiously. The higher the mountain, the higher the birdsong and the mountain streams rise. Around every turn, sometimes the left eye takes in the water, the right the mountain; sometimes the left reads page after page of mountain, the right highlights line after line of water—the vast scroll of Green Lu Mountain’s landscapes is truly inexhaustible to behold.

How many trees can Green Lu Mountain produce? How much birdsong can be hidden within a single tree? How much mystery can a single birdsong unfold? The wind wants to stop, but the trees sway more. Birdsong is truly a strange kind of music—the more birds sing, the deeper and quieter the mountain becomes.

Misty rain is Green Lu Mountain’s breathing, so sweet and refreshing. At this moment, Green Lu Mountain is slowly, comfortably taking a deep breath.