——Huaying Mountain Chapter
What is the meaning of travel? Some say, "The meaning of travel lies in choosing to set off." On the road, you’ll encounter people with diverse customs. Only through travel can you understand that not everyone lives as you do. As a result, your mind becomes broader, and you’re better equipped to face life with a healthier mindset.
Not long after the summer vacation of 2010 ended, there was a group of people who, with just a bicycle, a backpack, and an unyielding spirit, embarked on a long journey and completed a magnificent adventure. They left tire tracks along the winding and treacherous Sichuan-Tibet Highway, crossed the ethnic minority-rich Yunnan-Tibet route, and experienced the solitude and desolation of the China-Nepal Highway.
With admiration in my heart, I began planning my own trip during a quiet day.
A 7-day holiday is a rare chance to relax—our bodies and minds, exhausted, need an easy break. Of course, these days, no matter whether you’re traveling far or staying nearby, there’s one huge issue—too many people. I don’t want to gaze at a “sea of people” at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, nor watch the crowds gathering at the Broken Bridge by West Lake. My trip to Lijiang during the National Day two years ago also left a “deep impression,” which promptly shattered my “fairytale” vision of a “heaven on earth,” which then “disappeared into the crowd.”
As a Chongqing native, there are actually many fun places nearby. To the west, there’s Huaying Mountain; to the northwest, Chengdu; to the north, the Ancient Shu Road; and to the east, the Yangtze River Three Gorges (including Fengdu Ghost City, Baidi City, and more). But due to limited time and a desire to visit scenic spots, Guang’an—not far from Chongqing—beckoned with two cultural attractions steeped in Red Rock spirit: the Former Residence of Deng Xiaoping and Huaying Mountain. It seemed Huaying Mountain was a must-visit. So some time ago, I chose Huaying Mountain Scenic Area, hopped on a bus from Chongqing to Dazhou, and got off at Huaying Station (of course, you can also take a car or go by self-driving).
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Upon first entering Huaying Mountain, I felt it was the perfect place for someone to quietly unwind. At dusk in mid-autumn, endless greenery filled the landscape, while cool breezes carried the fragrance of plants—the urban stress instantly vanished, and my mood brightened. With headphones in, I felt like I had the whole world to myself.
Walking through the woods, if not for the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, I’d have thought it was overcast again. Crossing the “Yulin Bridge” and climbing up the steps, I arrived at Gaodeng Temple, which had been as famous as Mount Emei since the Tang Dynasty. Devotees continuously offered incense, and turtles in the liberation pond swam freely, enjoying the tranquility of Huaying Mountain. One could imagine how spectacular Huaying Mountain must have been in its Buddhist heyday. Later, I learned that Huaying Mountain is one of China’s eight major Buddhist sacred sites and a national geological park. The trip was definitely worth it.
As a food lover, I naturally couldn’t miss out on eating. Along the way, you could say I ate as I walked. While the mountain didn’t offer any gourmet feasts, there were still plenty of snacks. I won’t list them all here.
Moving forward, I was dazzled by the wonders of the stone forest, unique caves, distinctive biological landscapes, and rich cultural sights. I just wanted to stay quiet and enjoy nature’s bounty. Aside from breathing fresh air and connecting with nature, I gained a deeper appreciation for the closeness to the natural world and reveled in its boundless generosity.
Perhaps being a sentimental person, the most memorable part of my Huaying Mountain trip was the crown jewel of its stone forest scenery: the “Thousand-Year Kiss.” Shaped like lovers standing embraced, its charm moved visitors. From embracing to kissing, from stillness to motion, it seemed to perform the eternal devotion of true love for all who gazed upon it. I wondered if I could absorb some of the “Thousand-Year Kiss’s” magic to bless my own or my family’s love to last.
In an era where “we no longer believe in love,” how much love can truly endure in a finite life? Can it be as eternal as that stone locked in a millennia-long kiss? Watching the hurried arrivals and departures of tourists’ silhouettes, a wave of indescribable melancholy suddenly welled up in me. Amidst life’s hustle, there’s always something too painful to touch. Countless casual encounters and moments of emotion may, in the instant they stir the heart, seal a lifetime of heartache. How long is a thousand years? It can’t be measured by footsteps, only by the threads of affection lingering on brows and hearts. Just like the “Thousand-Year Kiss,” standing tall in Huaying Mountain, leaving a legacy for generations...
The sun had begun to set, a slanting ray of light painting half the sky red. A beam filtered through the dappled leaves and landed perfectly on a couple sharing a kiss. From afar, the pair seemed oblivious to the approaching dusk, immersed in their moment—a scene so serene that I couldn’t help but snap a candid photo. In that instant, I suddenly felt I had found an answer to what love truly is.
I wanted to slow down, let time slip through my fingers. The all-too-familiar urban life had lost its charm for someone tired of the noise. The season when maple leaves turn red is the best time for travel. Strolling between green mountains and clear waters, balancing movement and stillness, every mountain, waterway, rock, and view holds a story both breathtaking and touching. Huaying Mountain left my footprints behind, sweeping away all the fatigue from work and study.
All in all, my trip to Huaying Mountain left me with a great impression and a small life insight: the charm of travel lies in never knowing what tomorrow will bring. When you look back, you’ll find you’ve gained far more than you expected—whether it’s a wealth of experiences or a shift in perspective.
As for spontaneous trips, I’ll say this: my journey is about to begin, no matter the distance, and I’ll keep doing it, just like this, in the future.