The area is also host to notable light effects, such as the renowned sunrises. Watching the sunrise is considered a "mandatory" part of visiting the area. is also well-known and, on average, Buddha's Light only appears a couple of times per month. In addition, Huangshan has multiple hot springs, most of them located at the foot of the Purple Cloud Peak. The water stays at 42&nbsp;°C (107.6&nbsp;°F) all year,<!-- Most natural pools are concentrated in the Songgu Area. Some particularly well-known water bodies in the area are the Old Dragon Pool (Lao Long Tan), the Green Dragon Pool (Qing Long Tan), the Black Dragon Pool (Wu Long Tan), the White Dragon Pool (Bai Long Tan), and the Jadeite Pond.--> and has a high concentration of carbonates. The waters are said to help prevent skin, joint, and nerve illness.

During the Qin dynasty, Huangshan was known as Yishan (Mount Yi). In 747 AD, its name was changed to Huangshan (Mount Huang) by imperial decree;<!--Questionable source --> Huangshan was fairly inaccessible and little-known in ancient times, but its change of name in 747 AD seems to have brought the area more attention; from then on, the area was visited frequently and many temples were built there. The date at which work on the steps began is unknown, but they have been said to be more than 1,500 years old. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 for its scenery and for its role as a habitat for rare and threatened species. Subsequently, certified as a National Geopark, and then as a regional geopark (Asia Pacific Geopark Network), it was admitted as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2004.

In 2002, Huangshan was named the "sister mountain" of Jungfrau in the Swiss Alps. In addition to inspiring poets such as Li Bai,

Tourism

thumb|Ying Ke Pine, literally welcome Pine

Having at least 140 sections open to visitors, In 2007, more than 1.5 million tourists visited the mountain. The city is linked by rail and by air to Shanghai, Buses connect Huangshan City to the base of the mountain, where visitors can take a cable car or hike to the summit.

The hotels, restaurants, and other facilities at the top of the mountain are serviced and kept stocked by porters who carry resources around the mountain on foot, hanging their cargo from long poles balanced over their shoulders or backs.

Climate

Huangshan has a humid continental climate (Köppen Climate Classification Dfb) or a subtropical highland climate (Cfb) depending on the isotherm used. Its elevation makes it colder and wetter than the rest of Anhui.

Panoramas

center|thumb|1000px|View at Feilai Peak (飞来峰)|alt=Panorama of Huangshan

center|thumb|1000px|View from Stone Monkey Gazing at the Sea of Cloud (猴子观海)

center|thumb|1000px|Sunrise viewed from Stone Monkey Gazing at the Sea of Cloud (猴子观海)

center|thumb|1000px|Environment of Huangshan

<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">

File:安徽黄山(云谷缆车内拍摄) Mount. Huangshan - panoramio.jpg|View from a cable car

File:Huangshan-笔架峰 20141109.JPG|Bijia Peak

File:Huangshan Pine-梦笔生花 20141109.JPG

File:天下無山-3.jpg|Artificial steps on the cliffs of Huangshan

File:Huangshan, West Sea Grand Canyon 20141108.jpg|Xihai Great Canyon

File:黄山始信峰风光 - panoramio (11).jpg|Shixin Peak

File:Huangshan Rock Formations.JPG|A rock formation in Huangshan

File:Huangshan - Steps to Heaven.jpg|Carved steps to Tiandu Peak

File:Huangshan - Penglai three islands.jpg|A rock formation in Huangshan

File:Huangshan.jpg|Huangshan pines

File:HuangShan.JPG|Huangshan with trees and clouds

File:Sommet d'un pic - HuangShan.jpg|Summit of mountain in Huangshan

</gallery>

See also

  • List of World Heritage Sites in China
  • List of ultras of Tibet, East Asia and neighbouring areas
  • Sacred Mountains of China
  • Chinese frigate Huangshan

References

Bibliography

thumb|100px|黄海树石 清·渐江

  • Huangshan overview by the Huangshan Management Committee
  • Huangshan Mountain Travel Guide by Huangshan China International Travel Service
  • Huizhou Geography Essay by Huizhou Geography