Comprehensive Geography and World Heritage Guide of China - Part 2

Natural Landscapes and Famous Mountains of China

• Wuyi Mountains (Wuyishan)

  • Recognized for its landscape of "strange peaks" and "giant rocks."
  • It is frequently referred to as the "Second Guilin" due to its scenic beauty.
  • One of the most popular activities for visitors is river rafting through the mountain passes.

• Mount Tai (Taishan)

  • Identified as one of the Five Great Mountains of China (Five Sacred Mountains).
  • It holds immense historical and spiritual significance as the site where the "Fengshan" ceremony—the highest imperial ritual conducted by emperors—took place.

• Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

  • A UNESCO World Mixed Heritage site (noted for both cultural and natural significance).
  • Renowned for its "$72$ strange peaks," grotesque rocks, and the famous "Sea of Clouds."

• Wulingyuan / Zhangjieji

  • Characterized by a unique landscape featuring stone pillars that reach heights of approximately $200\,m$.
  • This location served as the real-world model for the scenery in the film "Avatar."

• Mount Lu (Lushan)

  • Located in the northern part of Jiangxi Province.
  • It is celebrated as a major center for Buddhism and remains a famous mountain in Chinese history.

Major Cultural and Historical Cities

• Qingdao

  • Historically leased by Germany, which left a lasting architectural and cultural impact.
  • The city is internationally famous for the production of Chinese beer (Tsingtao Beer) as a direct result of this German influence.

• Luoyang

  • An ancient capital of China housing significant Buddhist history.
  • Home to the Baima Temple (White Horse Temple), which is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in China.
  • The city's outskirts are home to the Longmen Grottoes, a major site of Buddhist cave art.

• Changsha

  • The capital city of Hunan Province.
  • On its outskirts lies the Mawangdui Han Tombs, a major archaeological site known for well-preserved Han dynasty artifacts and remains.

• Guilin

  • A prominent river port located along the Li River (Lijiang).
  • It is famous for river cruises that offer views compared to traditional "ink wash paintings" (suiboku-ga) due to the distinct limestone karst formations.

• Lhasa

  • The primary city of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
  • It is the location of the Potala Palace, a massive complex and World Heritage site that served as the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas.

• Lijiang

  • An ancient World Heritage town situated in Yunnan Province.
  • It is home to the Naxi people, who possess a unique culture and the distinctively pictorial "Dongba" script.

• Changchun

  • The city serves as the site of the Museum of the Imperial Palace of the Manchu State (The Palace of the Puppet State of Manchukuo).
  • This was the former residence and palace of Aisin Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China, during his time as the ruler of the Japanese-installed puppet state.

Natural World Heritage Sites in Sichuan

• Huanglong

  • A secluded, scenic region in Sichuan Province known for its travertine (calcium carbonate) deposits.
  • The landscape features terraced pools, most notably the "Five-Colored Pond" (Wucai Chi), which resembles tiered rice paddies filled with translucent, multi-colored water.

• Jiuzhaigou

  • Located in northern Sichuan Province, this World Heritage site is famous for its extreme water clarity.
  • It contains over $100$ lakes of varying sizes, including the famous Wuhua Hai (Five Flower Lake).

Major Archaeological Sites and Grottoes

• Terracotta Army (Xi'an)

  • Located in Xi'an, these pits contain a massive collection of pottery figures designed to protect the Emperor in the afterlife.
  • The site features approximately $6000$ large-scale terracotta soldiers and horses.

• Mogao Grottoes (Dunhuang)

  • Situated in Dunhuang, this is one of the three major Buddhist grotto sites in China.
  • It is a vast system of caves containing thousands of statues and murals representing a millennium of Buddhist art.