In the scorching summer, where is the best place to escape the heat? You don’t need me to say it. You all know it must be in the mountains. So I love to climb high and look far in the summer. Not only can I stay cool but I can also see beautiful scenery. Let me tell you a little secret. You can also eat a lot of delicious wild fruits in the mountains. Come to Wuzhuang Mountain with me!
As soon as we arrived, we saw green trees overshadowing the entrance and towering gate towers. The ground in front of the gate was vast, with merchants everywhere and tourists swarming like ants. Fruits and various trinkets were everywhere, and the sound of vendors and laughter filled the air. As we climbed the steps, we came across a screen at the entrance, large and beautiful, with paintings of the scenery of Wuzhuang Mountain on it, clear, bright, and elegant, with an ancient charm. Going around it, we found a statue of Huo Qubing, a general of the Han Dynasty, with a sword at his waist and riding a horse, looking very imposing. Moving forward, there was a giant ancient willow tree that could only be embraced by several people, its thick shade blocking out the sun like an umbrella. Outside the willow tree, there stood a majestic temple with the words “Happiness in the Famous Mountain” inscribed on it. Its eaves were curved, and its beams and pillars were painted in colorful patterns, making it magnificent and solemn.
Walking along the left side, ancient trees stood densely beside the path, their emerald green leaves making the air fresh. Birds sang from the tall pines, adding a sense of tranquility to the empty mountains. Vines twined around the strange rocks, adding an air of mystery to the pavilions and terraces. Ancient locust trees and young bamboo trees competed in their vibrant green, while delicate flowers and beautiful women vied for beauty. The rustling leaves fell like butterflies dancing lightly among the flowers, turning everything into poetry. The gurgling stream flowed like ice jade striking against stones, creating a melody that filled our ears. New lotus leaves were covered with dew, the slight breeze creating ripples on the water. The fragrant grass soaked in the water, giving off a faint aroma of agarwood. We wandered through the corridors and around the pavilions, seeking out picturesque views and hidden wonders. The cool breeze from the blue waves invigorated us, while the green mist made our clothes feel damp.
Not far away, we saw a pool of water shaped like a Bagua diagram, which was very interesting. Above it, a small stream flowed down from a cliff. Following the sound of the stream, we found a giant cliff. At the bottom of the cliff, a spring gushed out from a crack in the rock, its water flowing like pearls and jade, clear, refreshing, and sweet. The spring water gathered in front of the cliff and overflowed down the mountain, with lush trees on both sides, the water reflecting the green leaves, making people feel refreshed. There was a stone bridge connecting the cliff to the top, leading to the Thousand Buddha Pavilion, which was majestic, strange, and beautiful, like a creation of divine craftsmanship.
The Thousand Buddha Pavilion stood on top of all the other temples, overlooking the entire garden. There were many temples in the garden, all built along the mountainside. They were connected by long corridors and stone paths, with bridges and stone steps connecting the pavilions. The halls were stacked upon each other, and the towers were arranged in a harmonious way. There were also flower pavilions dotted here and there, reflecting in the lotus ponds. The trees and plants were lush and vibrant, creating a fresh and elegant atmosphere. The smoke from the incense curled upwards, creating a solemn and profound atmosphere.
At the end of the temples, there was a mountain path that snaked upwards. Wild grass grew along the path, and trees grew intertwined. Occasionally, there were wild peach and apricot trees dotted with fruits, small, green, and round, fuzzy and cute. The mountain path ended at a highway leading to the mountaintop. Not far from there, there was a building that resembled a city wall, standing by the side. Entering through the door, we paused for a moment. The flowers and trees were lush, and the courtyard was quiet. The surrounding mountain scenery could be seen from afar. If we played chess and sipped tea here, our happiness would surely surpass that of the immortals.
Moving forward, there was a corridor leading to the top of the mountain, its red pillars and golden roof rising like a dragon ascending. Some of the corridors were painted with colorful pictures, while others were inscribed with calligraphy. Most of them depicted stories from the Red Chamber and Water Margin, and there were also poems and lyrics from different dynasties. The writing styles ranged from regular script to cursive script, seal script, and clerical script, while the paintings included beautiful women and valiant heroes, connected one after another, numbering in the hundreds. Seeing this calligraphy and painting in the mountains, it was truly unique and full of charm. As we walked halfway, we were already quite tired, but the corridor was winding and seemed endless. When we thought we had reached the end of our journey, we felt hopeless, but we still struggled on. Finally, we reached the top of the peak and saw a bright light ahead.
On top of the mountain, there stood a tall pavilion reaching for the sky, called the Three Platform Pavilion. From here, we looked out over the surrounding mountains and rivers, taking in the breathtaking scenery. The Yellow River flowed like a ribbon, with mountains behind it on the left and Gansu City hugging it on the right. The golden waves reflected the sunlight, shimmering like dragon scales. The west wind blew, stirring our hearts and making us recall the past, feeling a surge of emotion and sadness.
Legend has it that Huo Qubing stationed his troops here when he went west on a campaign. His soldiers were tired and thirsty, so he struck the rock with his whip five times. With each strike, a spring gushed forth, and thus five springs were formed, giving the mountain its name. Although this story may be a fabrication, it is true that Huo Qubing set out from here two thousand years ago to conquer the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu had been a scourge to the Han Dynasty for a long time. Emperor Gaozu had been besieged at Baideng, and Empress Lü had suffered the humiliation of receiving insulting letters from them. Even after Emperors Wen and Jing had made peace with them, paying them great sums of money and showing them great respect, they still harassed the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu, however, was a man of great talent and determination, and he resolved to defeat them. His armies marched west, conquering the vast deserts and finally putting an end to the humiliation that had lasted for four generations.
Among all the generals who fought against the Xiongnu, Huo Qubing stands out as the most impressive. At the age of seventeen, he led eight hundred brave horsemen deep into enemy territory and defeated the Xiongnu. At nineteen, he fought two battles in the Hexi Corridor, capturing Qilian and killing tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. At twenty-one, he led fifty thousand cavalry to sweep across the northern deserts, drank from the waters of the Gobi Desert, and erected a stone monument to commemorate his victory. His fame and achievements were renowned throughout the land. Even a thousand years later, his stories still make our blood boil. It is a pity that he died young, but his achievements in just a few years far surpassed what ordinary people could accomplish in a lifetime. If only we could live a life like his, what regrets would we have?
Standing here, looking at the mountains and thinking about these things, I feel a sense of time flying by and my years slipping away. My ambitions are hard to achieve, and the future seems uncertain. Han Xin, once a general, was reduced to poverty in Huaiyin. Where can he find the altar where he was once worshipped? Cao Xueqin lived in poverty in the Western Mountains. Who will be the one to write his story and preserve his legacy? We have seen the sights, we are tired, our interest is gone, and it is getting late. We let go of all our thoughts and turn to leave the mountain.
Which are the five springs?
Wuzhuang Mountain is named after the five clear and sweet springs: Ganlu, Juyue, Mozi, Hui, and Meng. The five springs are Wuyan Spring, Hui Spring, Ganlu Spring, Wenchang Palace, and Mozi Spring.
Ticket price: 30 yuan/person
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