|
|
|
|
With an area of over 369 square kilometers in China's Hunan Province, the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area encompasses the four sections: the Zhangjiajie national reserve, Suoyu Brook area, Mt Tianzi and Yangjiajie scenic area. Wulingyuan is featured with landform of peak groups composed of quartz sandstone and canyons. Rising about 500 to 1100 meters above the sea level, the height of 3103 peaks ranges from dozens of meters to more than 400 meters. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls and some 40 caves as well as two large natural stone bridges. Besides enthralling beautiful landscape, Wulingyuan shelters large number of endangered species, such as clouded leopard, rhesus monkeys, civet cat, etc.
Wulingyuan is famous for its five wonders: spectacular mountains, unique peaks, secluded valley, clear water and deep karst caves. With infinite variety of shapes, more than five thousand peaks tower between the ravines. The streams and brooks thread their ways in the ravines and valleys. Wulingyuan is the paradise on earth which is carved by the nature other than human being.
About two billions eight thousand years ago, the place was covered by a large patch of ocean. After the crustal movement and water erosion for millions of years, the bottom of ocean rose out of the surface and the quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks took shape. The entire area is covered with towering cliffs of sandstone of quartz and dense unspoiled forest that conceal fantastic caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. Yellow Dragon Cave is a very renowned karst cave in Wulingyuan area. The discovered area of it is 100,000 square meters, the length is 4,500 meters and the spacious height is 140 meters. The whole cave is separated into six sections, namely, "Dragon Palace", "Crystal Palace", "Shiqin Hill", "Tianxianshui", "Xiangshuihe" and "Maze". "Maze" is the best scenic spot of Yellow Dragon Cave. Lying at the bottom of Yellow Dragon Cave, "Maze" includes all kinds of stalactites and stalagmites which take on different shapes and colors.
In ancient China, people considered that Wulingyuan was remote and inaccessible. Local legends indicate that Zhangliang, the general of Han Dynasty, lived here as a recluse. There are many cultural sites, such as Puguang Temple which combine Chinese Buddhism and Taoism and traditional architecture of Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing (dynasties in Chinese History).
|
|
