Mian County Yunwu Mountain

　　Yunwu Mountain is situated in the northeastern part of Mian County, Shaanxi Province, on the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains, with an elevation of nearly 2,000 meters. The scenic area features well-preserved North Subtropical primary forests, home to 1,390 plant species and 518 animal species, with a forest coverage rate of 90.7%. The Yunwu Mountain Scenic Area is located in the mountains north of Xinjiezi in Mian County, about 32 km from Xinjiezi. Looking north from Xinjiezi, you can see the tallest mountain resembling a barrier, behind which lies Yunwu Temple. The local place name for this area is Heitanzi.

　　As the saying goes, “A mountain need not be high — it is famous so long as there is a deity on it. A lake need not be deep — it has supernatural power so long as there is a dragon in it.” Coincidentally, Yunwu Mountain possesses both, attracting a continuous stream of visitors who come to worship and enjoy the mountain scenery, adding a touch of human bustle to the tranquil woods.

　　The scenery of Yunwu Mountain can be described as “lofty peaks and flowing waters.” The air is fresh and pleasant, and as you walk along, birds sing and the murmuring sound of streams accompanies you toward the “Killers’ Flat” Waterfall, the “peerless view found atop perilous peaks”! However, getting here is “harder than ascending to the blue sky,” so those without sufficient stamina, perseverance, and endurance should take note. Adequate courage and knowledge of outdoor activities are also essential; otherwise, in the “silence where you hear voices but see no one,” you might just get scared out of your wits.

　　The peaks of Yunwu Mountain stretch continuously, with steep cliffs towering above, waterfalls cascading down, and forests lush and dense, blocking out the sun. Scattered wildflowers and clusters of vines dot the landscape. At the mountaintop, clouds and mist drift, gathering and dispersing unpredictably, creating ever-changing, magnificent scenes. Midway up the mountain, the sound of pine waves ripples through the vast sea of green, while the river flows steadily, and the air is crisp and clean, the water pure and cool. As you stroll along secluded paths, immerse yourself in the wilderness, bask in the dewy, floral breeze, visit thrilling waterfalls, explore mysterious dark forests, pay homage to weathered ancient relics, wade through clear, glistening streams, gaze at majestic and rugged cliffs, and admire the beauty of sunrise and sunset, you will be awestruck by nature’s countless wonders. Here, your eyes will be treated to sights beyond imagination, filling you with wonder and delight. Standing atop Yunwu Mountain feels like entering a fairyland, where all worldly concerns fade away, leaving you relaxed and elated, reluctant to leave. You may even wish to transcend time and return to a simpler life in nature, away from the cold concrete jungles of modern cities, the noise and vanity of urban life, and the increasingly distorted human relationships and insatiable material desires. Like Tao Yuanming in days of old, you may choose to live in seclusion in the mountains, enjoying the fresh tranquility bestowed by nature, accompanied by majestic peaks, clear streams, pine waves as friends, and peculiar rocks as bedfellows, allowing your spirit to calm, your body to feel light, free from scheming, bullying, petty calculations, or loss of humanity. In Yunwu Mountain, your restless heart will gradually find peace, and your wounded soul will be healed. What a serene and refined retreat, what a sacred place for spiritual cultivation.

　　Deep within the Qinling Mountains, Yunwu Mountain is currently accessible only via a dirt mountain road, with vehicles able to reach it with some difficulty. The entrance is located at Xinjiezi on National Highway 108. Buses run twice a day on normal days, and once a day during off-peak times, reaching Shimen Village. If there are enough passengers, arrangements can be made to go as far as Yunwu Temple, though you’ll miss the scenic views along the way. With elevations above 2,000 meters, the area features vast mountains, dense forests, and crisscrossing streams. During the peak summer heat, when the plains suffer under “scorching suns like blazing fire,” Yunwu Temple remains cool and serene, requiring long pants in the morning and evening — so it’s best to pack accordingly. In recent years, during July and August, people from Hanzhong and Mian County have flocked here, braving simple accommodations to stay for days or even months. At Yunwu Temple, they not only enjoy the pleasant coolness and clean air but are also captivated by the mysterious beauty of nature, fully appreciating the splendor of the mountain and water landscapes. Some exclaim, “I never expected that after traveling all over to famous mountains and scenic spots, many of which didn’t live up to their reputations, the most stunning scenery is right in my hometown — a true earthly paradise.”