A Journey to Dabie Mountain & Bodao Peak

发布时间:2019-01-16


 The sky is overcast.
 
  At 8:30 a.m. on May 24, the sky was overcast, yet it could not dampen the excitement of the employees of Wuhan Nanxing Electric Power. Dressed in their finest, they radiated energy and vitality, ready to embark on our journey to the Dabie Mountains—this time to Bodao Peak, located in Luotian County, one of China’s top ten red tourism destinations.
  Departing from the Wuhan Outer Ring Road, after a drive of just over two hours, the car gradually slipped into the embrace of the mountains. Peering out the window, I saw rolling peaks stretching endlessly; the nearer hills were cloaked in rich, lush green, with patches of bare rock jutting forth. In the distance, the mountains seemed to fade into the horizon, their silhouettes softened to pale shades of green. Along the slopes beside the mountain village, hardworking villagers had carved terraced fields into the hillsides—layers upon layers, plots upon plots—resembling staircases and shimmering ribbons of jade. Some gleamed golden, others verdant, still others deep emerald, like a vibrant patchwork puzzle, harmonious and breathtakingly beautiful.
  Before we knew it, we arrived at the Bodao Peak Scenic Area in the Dabie Mountains, renowned as “China’s Number One Dragon.” After lunch, everyone retired to their rooms to rest, then gathered at 3 p.m. to explore the Yuangmeng Valley scenic route. Since we were descending the mountain, no one felt particularly tired—though the weather had other plans, with a steady drizzle setting in. The mountain air was rather cool, and the rain brought a sharp drop in temperature, accompanied by high humidity, allowing us to savor a refreshing breeze in this May that heralds the approaching summer heat. Yuangmeng Valley is a wondrous realm of mountains and water, dreamlike and serene. Along the way, you’ll encounter such sights as Wangyuan Pool, the Ancient Sacred Tree, Qinxin Forest, the Divine Beast Rock, the Feishui Waterfall at Wenxin Cliff, the Bai Bu Ladder for Cloud‑Stopping, Sansheng Bridge, the Spirit Dragon Tree, the Prayer Pool, Rainbow Pool, and Yuangmeng Lake. To describe the awe‑inspiring, ethereal Wenxin Cliff Waterfall as “a cascade plunging three thousand feet” would be no exaggeration; it rivals the famed San Die Spring. The crisp, tranquil scenery—its colors and light—leaves an unforgettable impression.
  After the afternoon itinerary concluded, everyone headed to a distinctive restaurant in the Bodao Peak Scenic Area for lunch. The menu featured an array of delectable local specialties, most notably the signature dish—chestnut-stewed young chicken. As the lyrics of “Luotian Chestnuts Stewed with Chicken Soup” go: “Sweet chestnuts, fragrant broth, the king of fruits—rich in nutrients; tender meat, vibrant color, and a fresh, savory flavor. Nourishing, invigorating, and good for your health, with a mellow, clear aroma that lingers on the plate—once you’ve tasted it, you’ll never forget.” The flavors are authentically delicious, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste.
  After a day of fun, everyone was a bit tired and headed back to their rooms to rest. At first, you could still hear the lively chatter, but gradually the noise faded, and with the soft patter of rain, they drifted off into sweet dreams.
  At 7 a.m. the next morning, we rose to find the sun shining brightly, greeting us with its warm rays. Our colleagues from Wuhan Nanxing Power were happily snapping photos with their cameras. Once everyone had gathered, our guide led us up the mountain via cable car. This particular cable car wound its way along the mountainside; while it wasn’t as thrilling as some might imagine, the ride was nonetheless thoroughly enjoyable. Even after descending by cable car, we were still only halfway up—the summit, known as Bo Dao Peak, lay far above us. After a brief rest, we pressed on. Bo Dao Peak stands at an elevation of 1,404 meters, and the ascent consists entirely of steep, narrow steps—so tight that even half a foot wouldn’t fit comfortably—making the climb quite demanding. After nearly two hours of steady climbing, we finally reached the ridge, where the mist and clouds swirling among the peaks unfolded before our eyes in a breathtaking panorama. With a forest coverage rate of 98% and an annual average temperature of 16.4°C, this place truly feels like nature’s own oxygen bar. As we looked down the mountain, we noticed a wisp of white smoke slowly rising, enveloping us in its embrace—only then did we realize it was mountain fog, cool and refreshing. One colleague exclaimed, “It’s ethereal air!” and soon we were all taking deep breaths, savoring the pure, life‑giving essence of this natural wonder.
  Having admired the dreamlike, otherworldly scenery, we pressed on. The ridge of Bodao Peak is narrow, resembling a blade, with jagged, oddly shaped rocks piled atop one another in an artful, staggered arrangement. Towering pines vie for prominence, while a sea of clouds stretches endlessly into the distance. Along the ridge lie three naturally formed passes: the first, so steep and perilous that one can only squeeze through sideways, is poetically named Hero’s Pass; the second, with its breathtaking vistas that seem to hold one spellbound, is called Beauty’s Pass; and the third, which demands crouching low and crawling on hands and knees, is aptly called Emperor’s Pass. The entire trail offers an abundance of stunning sights—truly a landscape where the pines are extraordinary, the rocks bizarre, and the peaks dauntingly steep. As we neared the summit, we reached Wolong Ridge, where a solitary Wolong Pine stands proudly atop a rocky outcrop, its stately presence evoking the spirit of Huangshan’s Welcoming Pine. From Beauty’s Pass, gazing out over the continuous ridgeline, the scene is indeed starkly precipitous and sharply sheer, as if a coiled dragon were winding along the mountainside. Along the way, peculiar, oddly shaped boulders repeatedly block the path, making it seem at times as though there is no way forward—truly a testament to the area’s pristine, unspoiled character. At Wolong Ridge, there also lies a massive boulder—known as “Heavenly Basin”—which can be reached by climbing a metal ladder. From up there, the surrounding landscape unfolds in endless layers of rolling peaks, giving one the sense of standing atop the world and surveying all else below. Everyone eagerly snaps photos, capturing this glorious moment of reaching the summit. Afterward, we descended the mountain, once again laughing, snapping pictures, and discovering new wonders along the way…
  After descending the mountain, we headed straight to Luotian County town for lunch. Once we’d eaten our fill and had our share of wine, we strolled through the streets for a while. That’s when we spotted a man selling Luotian’s local specialty—chestnuts—right outside a restaurant. The chestnuts here were truly enormous, much bigger than any I’d seen before. Everyone rushed to buy some, with some even picking up three bags at once. Since we’d come all this way, it was well worth the trip.
  This journey to Bodao Peak in the Dabie Mountains has brought us so much—more than just breathtaking scenery along the way; it has also helped us grasp the true meaning of life. Perhaps you are but a tender sapling, yet with unwavering perseverance, you too will one day stand tall like the Beidou Pine on Wolong Ridge. Perhaps you are but a pure, delicate drop of water, yet if you press on without ceasing, you will eventually become the cascading waterfall at Wenxin Cliff, flowing ultimately into a mighty stream. And perhaps you are just an ordinary employee at Wuhan Nanxing Electric Power, but as long as we unite as one and work together with one heart, we will surely overcome every challenge and achieve—and even surpass—all of Wuhan Nanxing Electric Power’s goals!

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