Wu-Yi Mountain

First thing Thursday morning we started out for the Wu-Yi Mountain district.  This is about a 4 hour drive on a rather new, divided highway.  Our group included Dave, Mike, Louie the translator, myself and Mr. Wing our driver.  We were able to use Karen's father's car, which was extremely nice of him-other than the car only holds 4 passengers comfortably, and we had 5, with 2 guys being 6' or taller.  It was very confining, but we did take a break halfway to stretch our legs.  There were nice service areas along the way with food and gas.  The landscape became more beautiful as we went, with green mountains and valleys.  After about 2 hours we were in a region very famous for tea growing, and the hillsides were manicured with rows and rows of tea bushes. 

All the arrangements for this excursion were arranged by Karen's father, so we were not sure where we were staying or what we were actually doing.  When we arrived, Louie was instructed to call our local contact, Mrs. Wen.  She was the most lovely and charming person - and physically beautiful.  She managed a training/conference center in Wu-Yi, which was where we would be staying.  It is very much off-season for tourists and the training center, so we had it to ourselves.  Mrs. Wen had arranged for a wonderful lunch to be served in the dining room, and we all enjoyed the food and the ability to stretch out. Our rooms were nice - but there was no heat!  Actually, there is no heat in 95% of most of the properties, as the cold weather is so limited.  However, the building was block, and the floors were tile, and it was colder inside than outside. The only heat we had in the room were heat lamps in the shower and a hairdryer!  Of course, our visit collided with some of the coldest weather ever! 

Before our ascent!

 

Our group with the guide and Louie behind her - Mr. Wing is taking the photo.

After lunch we decided to hike to the top of Wu-Yi Mountain.  Mrs. Wen already had a guide arranged and a wonderful, large van to transport us to the Mountain- and even our driver, Mr. Wing came along.  The Wu-Yi Mountain area is designated as a national historic, cultural and eco preserve area.  It was the site where many scholars and philosophers studied, and we definitely felt like we had entered the world of Shangri-La!  It is well managed within the park, with only buses allowed to travel back into the area, much like some of our national parks.  The climb to the top was very strenuous - I think our guide mentioned something like 2,000 stairs cut into the mountainside to get to the top.  Many of the steps close to the top were very steep, almost like climbing a ladder.  I was ready to "park my butt" about 3/4's of the way up because I wasn't sure I could do it.  But Louie said "you must believe in yourself", and I hunkered down and kept going.  I was really doing the Yahoo's when I got to the top - probably not culturally correct, but - I am woman, hear me roar!!

STEEP!

Can you see all the hidden doorways and archway

Of course, the walk down was much easier, but humbling when we saw a man carrying two huge boxes of something UP the steps.  He had a flat, wooden pole resting across the back of his shoulders, dangling the large boxes off each end.  He looked to be about 50 years old and weighing about 120 pounds - and yet, up he went.  There is a large beautiful building at the top of the mountain that has a museum in it as well as bathrooms, and a small outside restaurant.  Each day, employees and materials must be carried back and forth up and down the mountain.


This area is very well-known for a place to come and breathe. The air is supposed to be heavy with negative ions that are very beneficial to your health.  With the challenging climb up, I know I sucked in a lot of those ions.  Mags, I was thinking of you the whole time, and knew you would be singing beautifully from the mountain-top!  The Chinese traditions are very deep here, and almost all the mountain peaks or rock formations are named or have a story about them - much like native American Indians. Around the mountains, you can see arches and doorways that definitely look mystical and magical.  There are lots of caves everywhere, a beautiful river running through the area, and some waterfalls.

The river running through it...                                                                                                                      

Although the day was cold, we warmed up nicely with the hiking.  We were hungry and tired, and ready to head back for dinner.  Dinner and our evening excursions ended up being another wonderful adventure.

Hope you are all well!    Deb