Huashi Mountain

Huashi Mountain

Huashi Mountain, located directly south of Huangyuan County in Qinghai, stretches about 12 kilometers in length. It serves as the boundary mountain between Huangzhong County and Huangyuan County, with its highest peak reaching an elevation of 4,289 meters. According to the Annals of Huangyuan County: “Its presence is majestic, its scenery exquisite. It extends all the way to Riyue Mountain, lush and lovely. In autumn, its slopes are tinged with red leaves. Viewed from the county town, it appears as a continuous barrier, its peaks thrusting into the sky — serene, elegant, and exquisite, resembling a crescent moon resting on a brush rest. It comprises twelve peaks, all steep and towering. Snow remains unmelted here throughout spring, autumn, and winter… The Classic of Mountains and Seas refers to it as ‘Cui Mountain.’” On this swelteringly hot summer day, we once again experienced its captivating beauty.

We boarded a minivan that departed from the county town, turned a few bends along National Highway 109, and headed south toward Xiaogaoling Village. In the distance, the sunlight was radiant, clouds draped across deep valleys, purples veiling rugged cliffs, and the mountain ridges stood like blades, thrusting boldly toward the heavens. Huashi Mountain had come into view. Continuing onward, we arrived at the foot of Huashi Mountain where the vehicle could go no further, so we stepped out and began walking into the valley of the mountain. Before us, wildly growing vegetation flaunted the vibrancy of life. Golden potentilla, silver potentilla, and crystal-clear flowers bloomed all over the fields, while the soft grass beneath our feet felt like a carpet underfoot. In the distance, layers of peaks rose like a painted screen, vast and hazy. Following a narrow and steep mountain path that wound upward, thickets of thorns surrounded us, and from time to time, we felt as though we brushed past drifting clouds. Looking up at the summits, bizarrely shaped rocks resembling various animals came into view — vivid and lifelike, perched and towering. On some peaks, lions stood proudly, gazing fiercely ahead; on others, monkeys climbed the cliffs in search of prey; and on some, it seemed as if a sharp sword had cleaved straight down from top to bottom, leaving behind a smooth, steep cliff face — even monkeys would find it hard to climb, leaving humans to only sigh in awe at the wall before them. Around us, light clouds lingered and green grass stretched far. At the mountaintops, waterfalls cascaded down, and in the depths of winter, icicles hung from the rocks, making the peaks appear even more towering and sharp. Mysterious mountain mists seeped through crevices in the rocks, rolled up from the valleys, or leaked out from the hazy sunlight — appearing and disappearing intermittently. At times, they resembled a grand tapestry unfurled in the sun, bursting with vibrant colors; suddenly, a gust of wind would sweep through the valley, churning up snow-like waves, resembling a pastoral scene from the Tianshan Mountains. Standing here, we felt as if we were before a massive, richly inked oil painting — whether it was the verdant mountains, streams, waterfalls, or vines, all were composed of dazzling splashes of color. The exaggerated contrasts of light and shadow, the vividly prominent lines, left us in awe. Huashi Mountain features rugged rocks, steep and unique peaks, embodying the delicate beauty of Guilin’s spring mountains, the perilousness of Mount Hua, the spiritual essence of Mount Huang, and the grandeur of Mount Tai — truly blessed by nature.

As we continued on, the howling mountain winds and the crashing sounds of cascading streams created a symphony of nature’s finest melodies. Rocks were covered with various types of moss, and the ravines twisted like gnarled roots, with vines forming a web-like canopy. Occasionally, fine droplets floated down like strands of hair — not quite rain, yet cool and refreshing against the skin. The lush greenery of the mountains dyed visitors in hues of emerald. The waterfalls throughout the valley shifted in form, their stone channels smoothed as if polished by hand. The water beneath the falls was several meters deep; tossing a rock into it produced a resounding “thump.” Diving into the dripping “water curtain cave,” the chill enveloped us, and amid imagined conversations with the Monkey King, the shouts of his monkey followers echoed around us. Climbing out through a narrow crevice just wide enough for one person, we emerged into a serene open area of quiet mountains and still waters. Sitting cross-legged on the flower-strewn, emerald-green grass, cupping our hands around our mouths and shouting loudly, our voices shook the valley, echoing softly. Suddenly, the sky felt closer; the clouds were right beneath our feet. Here, there was no clamor of worldly traffic, nor the weight of life’s countless worries. With a heart as calm as still water, we watched the drifting clouds and the solemn mountains — their heads held high, like ancient philosophers displaying the mysterious power and unyielding will of nature...

The setting sun hung atop the mountain, and within the colorful glow of the sunset, we felt as if we were inside a transparent, exquisitely painted watercolor. The forests glowed emerald, the water shimmered, the blue sky tinged red, and the green grass tinged gold. The stream flowing through the valley resembled a silver ribbon, glowing with a soft radiance. All the space before us seemed alive with flowing colors.

Unknowingly, night fell. Gazing into the distance, the great mountains appeared gray and hazy, submerged in the rising mist. The azure sky twinkled with stars, and a gentle evening breeze rustled through the silent valley. The nearby stream continued its gurgling song, while the occasional cry of a bird returning home pierced the air. In that moment, the weary Huashi Mountain fell asleep...