Infinite scenery lies on the perilous peak!

✔ "Infinite scenery lies on the perilous peak," this line of poetry elevates Lushan’s perilous peak beyond a natural landscape, making it a spiritual totem for countless people to challenge themselves and pursue excellence. Standing atop the perilous peak, you can not only overlook the panoramic view of Jinxiu Valley but also experience the life philosophy of "only after enduring hardships can one see beautiful scenery." ✔🏔️ Perilous Peak: A spiritual landmark refined by Mao Zedong’s poetry ✡ Scenic charm: A visual feast of danger and grandeur - Location: Situated in the middle section of Jinxiu Valley Scenic Area, at an altitude of 1,025 meters, it is the highest viewing platform in the valley. To the west lies a cliff carved like a knife edge with a drop of over 300 meters. To the east, it connects with "Good Luck Stone" and "Guanmiao Pavilion," forming a steep layout of "facing the abyss in front, leaning on the peaks behind." ✡ Core attractions: - Sea of clouds surging: Located at a mountain pass wind outlet, it is shrouded in mist year-round. In the early morning, the sea of clouds flows over the cliff, making a person standing on the peak feel as if in the celestial palace, perfectly matching Mao Zedong’s poetic imagery of "chaotic clouds flying by calmly." - Canyon panorama: Overlooking the entire Jinxiu Valley, you can see stone formations resembling a "lion swallowing the sun" and a "monkey watching the sea." In the distance, the Yangtze River flows like a ribbon, and Poyang Lake mirrors the sky. On clear days, you can see the rural scenery of Jiujiang County (ancient Chaisang), echoing Tao Yuanming’s poetic sentiment of "picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, leisurely seeing the southern mountain." - Seasonal changes: In spring, azaleas adorn the cliffs; in summer, pine waves resonate with valley winds; in autumn, maple leaves dye the forest red; in winter, ice hangs from the cliff walls. The snowy scene is especially stunning—the silver-clad perilous peak resembles the blank spaces in Chinese ink paintings, fully expressing the charm of Chinese landscape art. ✔ Cultural features: From a natural perilous peak to a spiritual monument ✡ The eternal empowerment of Mao Zedong’s poetry: - In 1961, Mao Zedong wrote the famous line in Lushan’s poem "Seven-character Quatrain for Comrade Li Jin’s Photo of Lushan Fairy Cave": "Nature created a fairy cave, infinite scenery lies on the perilous peak." This famous line made this unnamed perilous peak a symbol of the spirit of the era, embodying revolutionary optimism of "fearlessness in hardship and courage to climb high peaks." - At the peak stands a stone tablet engraved with poetry in Mao Zedong’s handwriting style. The bold golden characters shine brilliantly under the sun, creating a visual tension of "strength and softness combined" with the surrounding rugged natural environment. ✡ Secret explorations by historical literati: - The Tang Dynasty monk Huiyuan once gathered herbs and refined elixirs here, leaving the legend of the "Herb Gathering on the Cliff." During the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi visited and exclaimed, "The more dangerous the path, the more marvelous the scenery; the heart broadens with the view." His inscription of the two characters "Guanmiao" (meaning "observing the mysteries of the universe") still exists inside Guanmiao Pavilion. - Folk legends say that during the battle between Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Youliang, troops were hidden here. The indentations on the giant rock at the peak are interpreted as "horse-tethering stakes," adding a layer of historical legend. ✔ Climbing experience: A duet of challenge and conquest ✡ Climbing path: A thrilling sensory stimulation step by step - Trail features: About 1.5 kilometers (40 minutes) walk from the Jinxiu Valley entrance, the entire path is stone steps. Some sections have slopes up to 45 degrees, requiring hand support on iron chains. The "One Line Sky" section only allows one person to pass sideways, with towering rocks overhead and a visible abyss below, making every step tense. ✡ Key points: - Good Luck Stone: Before climbing, you must pass a "Good Luck Stone" that juts out in midair. Visitors customarily circle it clockwise to pray for blessings (one circle for official luck, two for wealth, three for romance), adding a ritualistic feel to the climb. - Rest platforms: There are three small viewing platforms along the way for resting and sightseeing. The second platform offers a classic angle to photograph the "perilous peak suspended over the sea of clouds," serving as a "reward station" during the climb. ✔ Dialogue between body and will - Physical challenge: The round trip is about 3 kilometers with a total ascent of 200 meters, which tests the knees somewhat but is more accessible than the "thousand-step stairs" of Sandie Spring, suitable for most healthy people. - Psychological battle: Facing the cliff on the west side without guardrails, many visitors experience acrophobia. However, when they overcome fear and stand on the summit to overlook the magnificent scenery, they gain a strong sense of "self-conquest"—this "bittersweet" experience is the core charm of visiting the perilous peak. ❤️ Standing high: Resonance of soul with heaven and earth Multidimensional release of spiritual joy - The broadening of vision and sudden clarity: People who live long in cities, suddenly standing a thousand meters high overlooking "mountains like hills, rivers like ribbons," experience a strong spatial shock. Pent-up emotions dissipate with the expanding view. Psychologists call this the "Lushan Effect," a unity of heaven, earth, and man. - Dialogue between history and reality: Touching Mao Zedong’s poetry tablet and gazing at the "Southern Mountain" described by Tao Yuanming, the heroic spirit and philosophical thoughts of ancient and modern literati converge here, allowing one to appreciate the elevation of life’s realm through natural beauty. - Satisfaction of social recognition: Taking photos with the "Infinite scenery lies on the perilous peak" tablet at the summit has become a "standard proof" of a Lushan trip. This "check-in ritual" brings social recognition, further amplifying spiritual joy. ✔ Natural inspiration for life insights - The dialectic of danger and beauty: As revealed by Mao Zedong’s poetry, the most magnificent scenery often hides in the most perilous places. This is like life—only by facing difficulties can one harvest extraordinary views. - The wisdom of composure: Facing the abyss below and the sea of clouds ahead, visitors unconsciously slow their breathing, experiencing the realm of "chaotic clouds flying by calmly." This calmness in danger is the most precious spiritual gift the perilous peak offers modern people. ✔ Address and practical guide 📍 Detailed address: Located within Jinxiu Valley Scenic Area, Lushan City (1.2 km from Tianqiao, 1 km from Fairy Cave). ✡ You can tour via the circular route "Perilous Peak → Fairy Cave → Tianqiao" to avoid backtracking. ✡ Travel tips - Transportation: - Take the sightseeing bus to the "Jinxiu Valley Entrance" stop, then walk 5 minutes to enter the valley trail; - Recommended reverse route: enter from Fairy Cave, pass Perilous Peak and Tianqiao, then exit from Jinxiu Valley, mostly downhill, saving energy. ✡ Safety tips: - The peak platform is small; queues for photos are common on holidays. Do not climb over guardrails; - The path is slippery when wet; wear non-slip shoes and bring trekking poles; - The best photo spot is on the west cliff edge; watch out for loose stones underfoot. ✡ Golden time: One hour after sunrise (6:30-7:30, highest chance of sea of clouds) and one hour before sunset (17:00-18:00, best for backlit silhouette photos). ✔ Spiritual connection with surrounding attractions Perilous Peak, Fairy Cave, and Bamboo Forest Temple together form the "Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism + Red Culture" composite scenic belt of Jinxiu Valley: - Fairy Cave (Taoism): offers a broad perspective of "clouds flying vertically"; - Perilous Peak (Red culture): imparts the spiritual power of "courageously climbing high peaks"; - Bamboo Forest Temple (Buddhism): interprets the philosophical meaning of "creation from nothing." Visiting all three can be completed within 2 hours, providing a complete experience of "natural wonder - spiritual enlightenment - soul awakening," which is the unique charm of Lushan as a "cultural sacred mountain." When you stand atop the perilous peak, you may truly understand why Mao Zedong, facing complex situations back then, could write the bold line "Infinite scenery lies on the perilous peak"—because the most magnificent life scenery always belongs to those who dare to climb.