Even in winter, the scenery of Mianshan Mountain is charming. [Photo/Xinhua]

Dizzy heights

With the highest peak at 2,566.6 meters above sea level, the main body of Mianshan Mountain is cut into two by the forces of nature. The relative altitude of this east-west mountain is more than 1,400 meters.

The mountain has a number of ancient plank roads. In ancient times, some of these pathways extended along the cliff face, while others cut through waterfalls. At times when the valley is shrouded in cloud and mist, a trip along these roads feels like walking on clouds. Tianqiao (Heaven Bridge) is the highest and most famous. Dating back more than 1,000 years, it stretches between two scenic spots; it is more than 300 meters long – but only one meter wide. Built on the cliff face behind an ancient military fortress, the road is some 80 meters from the cliff top and over 300 meters from the bottom.

Despite its dizzying heights and peculiar karst formations, Mianshan Mountain also exemplifies gentleness. Known as the place where Jie Zitui and his mother withdrew from society and lived in solitude, the winding Qixian Valley is well known for its jagged rocks in grotesque shapes and the babble of running water. Inside the zigzagging and secluded valley, visitors' senses are heightened – they can see only a glint of sky above and hear only the nearby gurgling water. It is the perfect place to reflect on life.

The Guteng (Old Rattan) Valley is rich in flora, including vines, strange trees, wild fruits and valuable Chinese herbs. Some vines are 20 centimeters thick in diameter, hugging trees and crawling up the precipice. Moreover, the Shuitao (Torrents) Valley boasts dozens of waterfalls of different heights. Among them, Xiongshi (Lion) Waterfall sounds like the roar of a lion. But the most interesting is the Shuilian (Water Curtain) Cave, a natural cave three meters high and five meters wide. A screen of water covers the cave entrance. When they splash on the rocks, the water droplets resemble bouncing white pearls.