## Journey to the Summit of Fanjing Mountain: Touching the Clouds at the Peak of Wuling Mountains

Introduction: Fanjing Mountain, the crown jewel of the Wuling Mountain Range, is a city in the sky wrapped in clouds. As one of the first areas in southern China to rise from the ocean to become land, it has endured 1.4 billion years of weathering to form its extraordinary appearance today. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national nature reserve, Fanjing Mountain attracts countless pilgrims with its unique mushroom-shaped rock formations, spectacular sea of clouds, Buddha's halo phenomenon, and rich biodiversity. This guide will unveil the mysteries of this "Pure Land of Brahma" and take you on a soul-stirring journey to the heavens. I. Itinerary Overview (Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Route) Day 1: Starting at the Foot of the Mountain - Morning: Arrive in Tongren, transfer to direct shuttle to scenic area (about 1.5 hours) - Afternoon: Visit Cloud Lodge Tujia Folk Village (preview mountain culture) - Evening: Check in at Zhaisha Dong Village/Fan Street (listen to Dong folk songs in stilted buildings) Day 2: Pilgrimage to the Golden Summit - 5:30 AM: Take first shuttle bus + cable car (witness sunrise and sea of clouds) - 7:00 AM: Climb Red Cloud Golden Summit (heavenly realm at 2,336 meters altitude) - 10:00 AM: Explore Mushroom Rock formations (billion-year-old geological wonder) - Afternoon: Hike to the 10,000-meter Sleeping Buddha Viewing Platform (breathtaking panoramic views) - Night: Stay near Chengen Temple at the summit (wait for starry skies and Buddha's halo) Day 3: Exploring Hidden Realms - Early morning: Visit Chengen Temple in the mist (Ming Dynasty ancient temple chants) - Morning: Hike through the primeval fir forest (encounter Guizhou snub-nosed monkeys) - Afternoon: Stream trekking in Yamu Valley (bathe in negative ions) - Return journey: Take home "Fanjing Mountain's Five Treasures" (rock tea, gastrodia, purple jade, etc.) II. Five Peak Experiences You Must Have [One]. Challenge the Heavenly Ladder to Red Cloud Golden Summit Climb the 87 steps of the "Heavenly Ladder" carved during the Ming Dynasty on a nearly vertical cliff, pass through a narrow crevice using both hands and feet, and finally reach the Golden Summit platform that can only fit one person. When morning light penetrates the clouds and mist rolls like waves beneath your feet, you'll understand why ancient people called this the "Paradise Palace." [Two]. Geological Wonder of Mushroom Rock Formations Standing beneath the 10-meter-tall mushroom rocks formed by differential weathering feels like being on an alien landscape. The "Ten Thousand Books" rock layers in particular unfold 1.4 billion years of geological history before your eyes, making it the most spectacular natural geological museum. [Three]. Buddha's Halo over Moon Mirror Mountain's Sea of Clouds If it rains the night before, the next morning at the 2,200-meter-high Moon Mirror Mountain platform will likely reveal a sea of clouds filling the entire valley. When sunlight hits at a specific angle, your shadow will be refracted into a colorful halo—this "Buddha's halo" phenomenon occurs only about 40 times per year. [Four]. Tracking Guizhou Snub-Nosed Monkeys in the Fir Forest Venture into the primeval fir forest in the protected area to search for the "world's only child"—the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey. With only about 800 remaining, these golden sprites are as rare as giant pandas, and encountering one is considered a blessing. [Five]. Negative Ion Bath in Yamu Valley After descending, visit Yamu Valley (with negative ion peak levels reaching 120,000/cm³), walk barefoot in jade-like streams, and let the waterfalls wash away the fatigue of mountain climbing, completing a perfect transition from the heavens back to earth. III. Professional Climbing Guide Equipment List: - Essential: Anti-slip hiking boots (some steps exceed 60° incline), windbreaker (temperature difference at the summit reaches 15°C), gloves (for chain climbing) - Recommended: Trekking poles (for 7,900 steps), portable oxygen bottles (to prevent altitude sickness), high-calorie snacks Energy Management: - Cable Car Option: Recommended to take the east line cable car to Wanbao Rock (saves 4 hours of climbing energy) - Section Strategy: Mushroom Rock → Old Golden Summit (2 hours); Old Golden Summit → Red Cloud Golden Summit (1.5 hours of difficult terrain) Safety Warnings: - Strictly prohibited to climb the Golden Summit during thunderstorms (lightning strikes have occurred) - Not recommended to start summit climb after 3:00 PM (ensure descent before dark) - Safety ropes required for cliff photography (provided free by scenic area) IV. Hidden Accommodation Guide Cloud-level Options: - Fanjing Mountain Qixi Hotel: The only mountaintop hotel, with views of the sea of clouds from your window (reservation required 3 months in advance) - Chengen Temple Zen Rooms: Experience morning and evening bells (phone reservation only) Cultural Immersion: - Zhaisha Dong Village Stilted Houses: Fireside evening talks + long-table feasts (150 yuan per person including breakfast) - Fan Street Creative Cultural Guesthouses: Tujia brocade themed rooms (popular photo spots) V. Fanjing Mountain Cuisine Three Must-Try Specialties: [One]. Jiangkou Rice Tofu (with chili oil, perfect energy supplement for climbing) [Two]. Fanjing Mountain Rock Ear Mushroom Stewed with Free-Range Chicken (rare lichen growing on cliffs) [Three]. She Fan (special dish available around Qingming Festival, containing wild onions and cured meat) Hidden Delicacies: - Lenghou Mixed Tea Soup (unique tea variety specific to Fanjing Mountain) - Beef Jerky (Miao traditional air-dried beef) VI. Master Photography Class Golden Positions: [One]. East Platform of Mushroom Rock (sunrise backlight silhouettes) [Two]. West Side of Ten Thousand Books Rock (afternoon side lighting shows layering) [Three]. Guanyin Cave at Chengen Temple (framed composition of Golden Summit) Special Techniques: - Use ND filters to capture flowing cloud waterfalls - Try star trail photography at night (minimal light pollution) - Use polarizing filters to capture "Buddha's halo" during rainy season