Peacock Playing with Lotus

　　Introduction       The Wenshu Terrace is flat and open, dotted with numerous uniquely shaped rocks. To its left lies a crouching lion, and to its right a reclining white elephant—the two are 50 meters apart, hence the name “Blue Lion and White Elephant Guarding Wenshu.” Nearby in the Jade Screen area, there are other unique rock formations such as “Young Boy Worshiping Guanyin,” “Squirrel Jumping to Heavenly Capital,” “Golden Rooster Crowing at Heaven’s Gate,” “Five Elders Ascending to Heavenly Capital,” “Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon,” and “Penglai Three Islands.”    Looking back to the right toward Lotus Valley, you’ll see a variety of uniquely shaped rocks including “Picking Lotus Boat,” “Peacock Playing with Lotus,” “Stone of the Wife Watching for Her Husband,” “Immortal Floating on the Sea,” and “Sheep Crossing the River”—each exquisitely crafted as if by nature’s hand. These strange rocks offer ever-changing views from different angles, prompting ancient admirers to praise: “Other mountains may change in form, but their views are finite; Huangshan surpasses them all in transformation. With clouds and mist appearing and vanishing in the blink of an eye, its vistas are inexhaustible.”   

　　 Huangshan City, Anhui Province