The Yunmeng Mountain Scenic Area

The Yunmeng Mountain Scenic Area

Name:The Yunmeng Mountain Scenic Area Class:AAAA Area:Hebi Tel:Tel:0086-400-666-0166 Email：henantour@gmail.com Skype：karenzheng2004 The Yunmeng Mountain, a branch range of the Taihang Mountains, is located 15 kilometers to the south-west of Qi County seat. The mountain is sometimes covered by the sea of clouds with the main peak rising 577 meters above sea level and other peaks standing one after another. With singing springs and scattered flowers in full bloom, the mountain has been a place of interest for tourists since the ancient times. Literati and celebrities of past dynasties set a foot on it, leaving a number of poems, inscriptions and carvings. Guigu, a famous hermit in the period of Warring States, is a typical example. During the period of anti-Japanese war and the civil war of China, some underground resistance organizations and liberation soldiers once stayed here and therefore it enjoys a nation-wide reputation. It is here that Guigu established the first military school in the history of China. Many renowned militarists and political strategists such as Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Sun Bin, Pang Juan and so on were educated in the school. Hermit Guigu, from the Wei State in the Warring States period, was a great master of political strategy. He gave lectures on strategies to his disciples in the mountain and left us a book of 13 volumes on the art of wars. Southern Gate of Heaven When you arrive at Yumeng Mountain, the Southern Gate of Heaven comes first into your view. At the foot of the cliff of South Hill, in the narrow mountain pass of Yunmeng Basin stands such a gate, which is made of stalactites. It is supported by four stone pillars. The upper storey is a statue of Goddess of Mercy formed naturally by stalactites, while the entire gate is made of rocks. Attached to the east of the gate, there is a large statue of dragon, a mythological benevolent creature, with his eyes gazed at the Goddess of Mercy, like a soldier on call and ready to bring blessings to human beings. Yingrui Pond and Yingrui Gate The Yingrui Pond is named after Three-Stream Pond, where the three streams converge into the river in the Yumeng Mountain valley. It is the place where master Guigu used to take his disciples to practice martial arts, and the literati and poets of past dynasties once visited. Here tourists can watch the sunrise and sunset glow reflected in the pond. It is really an amazing spectacle. Moreover, there is a well called Guigu well in the pond in memory of master Guigu. In summer and autumn, the water overflows from the pond, forming an overhanging waterfall, which is extremely splendid. Close to Yingrui Pond, the Yingrui Gate is in the style of ancient castles. The main gate is built by stones in arch form. Upon the arch is built a platform on which the tiny buildings in ancient Chinese architectural style are constructed, decorated with small and exquisite carvings and colored ornaments. ShuilianCave (the cave with water curtains) Shuilian Cave, lying halfway of the cliff in the north of South Hill in Yunmeng Basin, is a place where Master Guigu secluded himself from the outside world, yet a place where Mr. Guigu gave lectures to his disciples. The cave, 10 meters high, 6 meters wide, 80 meters deep is naturally formed. In the cave, numerous fancy stalactites hang on the ceiling from which water drops are falling, producing melodious sounds like ancient Chinese music. A waterfall, like a curtain, runs over the outlet of the cave, so Shuilian Cave is named after it. Just like a poem puts it that the white waterfall like a curtain hangs over the cave, outside red peach blossoms are in full bloom. Deep in the cave there is a spring with sweet and clear water. In summer and autumn, the spring overflows from cave, forming an overhanging waterfall pouring down into Yingrui Pond. On the upper left side of the outlet of the Cave are engraved six Chinese characters meaning the reclusive place for Master Guigu. On the right side of the outlet stands a life-like statue of Master Guigu, 3.5 meters high, with his right hand holding bamboo slips (a kind of ancient books in China), seeming to impart his knowledge to his disciples. Xichen Cave (literally showering cave) The Xichen Cave or Sun Bin Cave, lying on the right side of Shuilian Cave, was excavated in the Ming Dynasty with a three-room width. On both sides of the outlet of the cave stands one stone mast; in the cave six stone columns are arranged in two rows, on each of which are engraved couplets and some legendary figures. The cave gate is made of stone, looking simple and unsophisticated. In it there is a statue of Sun Bin with a solemn and dignified look. Su Bin, military strategist in the Warring States Period, grandson of Sun Wu (a famed military strategist in that period), learned the art of war from Master Guigu in the Yunmeng Mountain. He was at one time a military counselor for an emperor of Qi State and achieved great success in command of wars. Su Bin left us a book The Art of Wars which is very popular till now. Shangsheng Palace The Shangsheng Palace is located in the temple area of North Hill of Yumeng Mountain. There are more than 10 temples in the area which were built in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, looking majestic and magnificent. Particularly Shangsheng Palace is a rarity in the temple area, which consists of a large hall and some surrounding halls. The giant statue of Jade Emperor of Heaven, the supreme deity of Taoism is enshrined and worshiped in Shangsheng Palace. In front of surrounding halls there is a stone arch with fine workmanship. Upon it are engraved eight Chinese characters meaning “east or west, Yunmeng’s landscape is the best”. Sun Cave The Sun Cave, located one kilometer to the south-east of Shuilian Cave, is a natural cave in the cliff of Yumeng Mountain, with a diameter of 8 meters and a height of 13 meters. At each side of the outlet, there are two holes, like two doors and two windows. The arch ceiling of the cave takes on a variety of patterns formed by lime solution, like dragons, snakes and so on. In the cave, a stone statue of Sun God with a solemn look is worshiped. One can enjoy the landscapes of the area by a bird view from the outlet of the cave. In addition, one can watch the sunrise. The amazing spectacles will make one stay here as long as possible. Marvelous Calligraphy The Yumeng Mountain has enjoyed a great reputation for a long time. Literati and poets of past dynasties often visited it, leaving behind a number of inscriptions, carvings and tablets. The statistics show that there are 233 engravings on cliffs and tablets from the Yuan Dynasty till now. Of them, renowned calligraphers such as Wang Yun of the Yuan Dynasty, Dou Wen and Sun Hui in the Ming Dynasty are most outstanding ones.