China’s World of Wonders

China can proudly claim many outstanding places of natural beauty and historical significance.  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has so far recognised 40 of these special spots as being of global importance and inscribed them on its prestigious World Heritage List.

I have already touched on some of these momentous places in this ongoing series of travel vignettes: The Ancient City of Lijiang in Yunnan Province, Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province, the Classical Gardens in Suzhou and The Ancient City of Pingyao in Shanxi Province.

As well, I’ve mentioned the Longmen Grottos in Henan Province, the Magao Grottos of Dunhuang in Gansu Province, The Ancient Villages in Anhui Province, the Terra-Cotta Warriors near Xian, the Forbidden City in Beijing and, of course, the Great Wall located just outside the capital.

Beijing’s grand palace and the great wall just beyond the nation’s capital may well be the best known of all of China’s world treasures. Also within easy reach from the capital is a far lesser known and somewhat secluded reminder to the origins of mankind.

In 1929, a skull was discovered in a cave beneath Dragon Bone Hill at Zhoukoudian in Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing.  Research revealed that it belonged to an ape-man who lived in the area some 500,000 years ago.

The Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian – on the World Heritage list since 1987 – is still a work in progress as ongoing archaeological excavations reveal more about the foundations of humanity.

Wonders Image 1

Wonders Image 1

One geologic feature in common with both the Peking Man Site and Mt Qingcheng in Sichuan Province is that both locations are riddled with caves.

Considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese Taoism, the 1600 m high Mt Qingcheng, 65 km west of Chengdu, has dozens of caves.

These are not readily seen as a cable car whisks visitors up the slope where they find trails connecting temples with tourist facilities.  Look out for the Tianshi Cave where the three supreme deities in Taoism are worshipped as you explore “the most peaceful and secluded mountain under heaven”.

Ancient Engineering

Not far away is the Dujiagyan Irrigation System which is co-listed with Mt Qingcheng on the UNESCO list.  This ancient flood control project still in operation today involved ingenuus engineering to divert the Min River into irrigation canals.

The brilliance of the plan is heightened when you learn that work began in the 3rd century BC!

There are, of course, lovely scenic vistas of Mt Qingcheng from many vantage points but I nonetheless feel they are overshadowed by the grandeur of Mt Taishan in Shandong Province.

The Taishan Mountain Scenic Area has been on the rarefied list of globally important culturally and scenic places since 1987.  If you are feeling energetic you can climb The Steps of Heaven to the summit.

Because the mountain has been worshipped since at least the 11th century BC it is awash with legend and myth.  Bixia Yuanjun also known as the “Heavenly Jade Maiden” is just one of the gods worshipped here.

One legendary figures said to have climbed the sacred Taishan is Confucius.  You will learn much about this noted teacher who endlessly toiled to reform society when visiting Qufu, his hometown.

UNESCO officially recognised the value of the Temple, Mansion and Cemetery of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province in 1994.

It is not well known that the architecturally outstanding temple is China’s largest imperial building complex after the Forbidden City.

The adjacent 450 room 16th century Confucius Mansion studded with pavilions and halls will also vie for your attention because of its style and substance.  And finally there is the peaceful 200 Confucius Forest where the great scholar eternally rests.

Another jewel in China’s expanding treasury of cultural and scenic gems is the Potala Palace.  Once the seat of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, the amazing 13 storey building combines the functions of palace, fortress, monastery and dungeon.

Take time to explore the 1000 rooms of this 17th century wonder but go slow.

Wonders Image 2

Wonders Image 2

Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet (Xizang) Autonomous Region is situated at 3600 metres.  Consequently, strenuous exercise will tax your heart and lungs.  Oxygen is available at many tourist facilities.

Sacred Peak

Emei Mountain, 130 km southwest of Chendu in Sichuan Province, is also lofty with its main peak soaring nearly 3100 metres.  You needn’t climb all the way to the top of one of China’s four holy mountains to enjoy what it has to offer, however.

Paved trails winding along its slopes pass cedar trees, plantations of tea trees and many Buddhist temples.  Stay overnight at a monastery and wake next morning to the most glorious of sunrises.

On the UNESCO list Emei Mountain is grouped together with the Leshan Giant Buddha, an hour away.  The largest seated Buddhist stone statue in China (71 m) is carved into a cliff face on the Minjiang River.

Enjoy a panoramic view of the serene figure from your tour boat and then head back to cosy Leshan.  As night falls stroll along the riverbank while reflecting upon the many globally significant treasures in China.

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