After spending some time on the summit, we descend down the back stairs to the next level. It's here that Evan suggests we take the chair-lift down, and its here where my fear of heights once again betrays me; "we can walk down, I want my feet placed firmly on the ground!" So we decide to go down the other route down the back of the mountain. The wonderful scenery quickly becomes obscure in our minds as we are faced by some of the longest staircases I will ever see in my life time. Thousands of steps zigzag through the mountain side. And its while on these steps that we notice that time is against us. We have around 1 hour do get down half the mountain before the last bus leaves. Our walk turns into a canter, and then into a controlled run. Thankfully, out of breath and out of energy, we arrive back at the bus stop without having fallen once.
On our last day in the city, we decide to take a look around the town. Our ears still ringing with the constant noise of fire crackers, we head into town to look around some of the open-air markets. We buy ourselves some fruit and nuts, as well as some souvenirs which for me includes a Daoist pendant of the 8 trigrams and taiji symbol, and a DVD of the Wudang Mountain area. At one of the stalls in the town we see some of the biggest boxes of fire works I've ever seen. Some of the boxes dwarf my body; this is when we realize just how spectacular a New Year firework show in China must be. As we walk around the town it becomes obvious that we are the only foreigners in sight. A child is being pushed towards us buy his mother and he immediately begins to cry and shout with fear. Apart from that kid we have been warmly welcomed by the local people here. We have our last dinner in the restaurant we went to with Michel, but this time it's just me, Evan, the staff and a mouse. Then it's off to wait in the station before we catch the train back to Beijing. My dad calls to wish me happy birthday, and I tell him of our recent adventures. Before long I receive more birthday wishes and we set off on the long journey back to Biejing.
wudang and temple fair 105.The people of Wudang City have been very friendly; we have really enjoyed our time here. I was impressed by this place on a number of levels; the sheer beauty of the mountains and architecture, the weather, the hotel, the people, the lack of expected crowds and perhaps most importantly the atmosphere of the mountains. This place really does put great value in harmony with nature, and when you are there it is almost tangible. Make no mistake, I will definitely come back.
【1】 【2】 【3】 【4】 【5】 【6】
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article