Glacial Relics of the Fourth Glaciation at Lotus Mountain

Glacial Relics of the Fourth Glaciation at Lotus Mountain

Lotus Mountain is located in the southwest of Sidao Valley Village, with its summit at an elevation of 1,700 meters, making it the most scenic peak within the Heilihe Nature Reserve.

Halfway up Lotus Peak, countless massive boulders are piled together. For thousands of years, locals have called this area the "Rubble Pit." In 2001, it was identified and verified by national geological experts as a relic of the Quaternary glacial period, featuring an extremely rare glacial rock stream in China — a true geological wonder. When you walk atop the stone river and step on each massive boulder, you can feel the miraculous craftsmanship of nature, its awe-inspiring grandeur leaving you marveling at the wonders created by nature and the mysteries of geological formations.

The summit of Lotus Mountain abruptly rises above the sea of rocks. From a distance, it resembles a blooming water lily, hence the name Lotus Mountain. The cliffs of Lotus Peak are steep and majestic, with ancient pines and birches growing on all sides in various unique shapes, alongside colorful wildflowers competing in beauty. A narrow path runs along the ridge of Lotus Peak, and one must climb through woods and over rocks to advance. Especially precarious is the Immortal Bridge, which is less than a foot wide with a sheer drop of hundreds of feet beneath it. Crossing the bridge requires extraordinary courage. Once at the summit and looking out, you’ll see endless green-covered mountains full of vitality. You’ll truly appreciate the poetic imagery of “hearing deer calls deep in the mountains” and “feeling the wind rise in the dark forest,” allowing you to experience a serene and uplifting state of mind. At the foot of Lotus Mountain, the forests are lush and the grass is abundant. Especially on the western side, there’s a vast marshland with a stream flowing continuously through it. The sound of water echoes through the valley, pleasant to the ear. The marsh is covered with dense wetland forest and accompanied by various wetland plants, forming a high-altitude meadow. It’s said, “Ten miles of Lotus Mountain, where high peaks echo with flowing springs, stones in the river also sing, and trees grow in the marshy flats.” Here, the marshes on the high mountain form a unique natural landscape.

Lotus Mountain exudes elegance and spiritual charm. When you stand by the highland marsh, when you tread upon the giant rocks of the glacial rock sea, or when you reach the summit and gaze over the surrounding mountains, it stirs boundless imagination and encourages you to open your heart as vast as the mountains, to cherish and embrace a beautiful life.

Travel Tips: Visit Lotus Mountain in May to admire azaleas; come in summer to see the glacial rock stream; and visit in autumn to enjoy the mountain’s crimson foliage.