Baoquan Mountain

　　In golden September, I had the pleasure of visiting Baoquan Mountain. Wandering through its expanse, I feasted my eyes on its spectacular scenery. Especially remarkable were the magical and ethereal, beautiful and majestic clouds and mist bestowed upon Baoquan Mountain by nature — so vivid and lifelike, otherworldly and transcendent, truly evoking the poetic charm of “a boundless blue void without bottom, where sun and moon illuminate terraces of gold and silver.” Lost in such surroundings, one feels as if in a dream.

　　Early in the morning, treading on dewdrops yet to evaporate, I climbed step by step toward the mountaintop of Baoquan. The mist at the summit was solemn and expansive, deeply emotive and far-reaching. It surged across deep valleys and gullies like a wild horse broken free from its reins, spreading out in all directions.

　　Its grandeur was unrestrained yet not fierce, warm and gentle yet not thin or meager, caressing the crystal-clear and spiritually refreshing Baoquan. At this moment, the magnificent and enchanting Baoquan Mountain was enveloped in an extraordinary, mystical shroud of cloud and mist.

　　A light breeze, carrying wisps of mist, brushed against my face, lifting my entire body gently with each gust, soft and soothing... Arriving at the mountaintop and looking around, I saw secluded valleys, dense forests, seas of clouds, and surging misty waves — all majestic and spectacular. The vast mist covered the ridges and valleys, sometimes sparse, sometimes dense, draped in cloud veils, swaying gracefully in the wind. Some formations resembled canopies with tassel-like edges hanging low; others looked like phoenixes or dragons poised to soar into the sky. The mountain winds stirred the tranquil sea of clouds, creating layer upon layer of ripples, gathering high and low, their shapes like waterfalls cascading from the sky — turbulent, mighty, and endless. Up close, the streams in the valleys, the rugged cliffs, the birdsong echoing through the hills, and the elegant trees painted a vivid scene. Countless bright and colorful flowers bloomed all over the peaks, ridges, springs, and streambanks, emitting intoxicating fragrances. What a heavenly paradise reminiscent of the celestial pools of Tiantai.

　　As the sun rose in the east, Baoquan Mountain became enveloped in rising clouds and mist. The white clouds instantly transformed into colorful clouds. Following the movement of the sunlight, these rosy clouds danced up and down — some resembling magnificently blooming peonies, noble and graceful; others like celestial robes dancing freely across the vast sky. The mist and clouds fluttered and swayed, scattering flower petals like rain. The peaks and ridges, enshrouded in layers of mist, seemed draped in a hazy veil, each mountain appearing like an immortal island now sinking, now emerging. Whenever a gentle breeze swept by, the mist drifted elegantly like flowing silk ribbons, piece by piece, strand by strand, floating gracefully toward the heavens. One could not help but sigh: “The mountain floats in a realm of nothingness, as if it were the immortal pavilions of Penglai.”

　　The masterpieces of nature bring delightful emotions and joy to the human world. Looking back at the fairyland-like Baoquan Mountain, its magnificent mountain vistas, and its flowing, effortless mists — all inspire a sense of passion and leave one lingering with reluctance…