Dabie Mountains

The Dabie Mountains, also Dabieshan, are a huge mountain range located where the borders of the three provinces of Anhui, Henan, and Hubei meet. The mountain elevation has a range of some 5,000 feet (1,524 meters). There are three main peaks, namely Baima Peak, Duoyun Peak (Tiantangzhai) and Tianhe Peak, which resemble the three legs of a tripod. Currently, Baima Peak area in Huoshan County, Lu'an City of Anhui Province has been developed as a national geological park and is now a popular tourist destination.
 

The Dabie Mountains are well- known to every household in China. However, when you hear this name for the first time, you may be curious about the origin. It is because the mountains are the watershed of both the Huaihe River and Yangtze River, while totally different geographical conditions, climate and plant species are found on the south and the north slopes. When Sima Qian, a famous historian in the Southern Han Dynasty (145BC---87BC), travelled here and found the amazing differences, he gave the words "quite different from other mountains", hence the name, Dabie, literally meaning "very different".
 It is made up of several small attractions, such as Baima Peak, Bieshan Lake, Longjing Gorge and Siwang Fortress. Baima Peak Scenic Area is famous for majestic mountains, beautiful flowers and wondrous pines. Walking in the scenic area, you will feel you are being embraced by the mountains of different shapes, some like sheep, some like lions, and some like tigers. There are also very many cherished wild flowers. When spring comes, the whole scenic area becomes sea of flowers, which attracts many visitors from both home and abroad. Wondrous pines growing on the sheer precipice and overhanging rocks always win visitors' praise for their strong vitality.

Baima Peak is the highest peak of Dabie Mountains, with an altitude of 5,830 feet (1,777meters). The name of Baima derives from Buddhism. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to China. In order to praise the dignitary who tried to spread Buddhism riding a white horse, the emperor named the highest peak "Baima Peak", White Horse Peak in English. The peak, often capped by fluffy clouds, is covered in primitive forest that is home to valuable animals. Because of the steep terrain, attractive waterfalls and small streams add vibrancy to the scenery.

Bieshan Lake is the largest lake in the Baima Peak Scenic Area, and its length is 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) and its average width is 1.25 miles (2 kilometers). Visitors can take pleasure-boats to go sightseeing. There are two kinds of pleasure-boats. The first type is a wooden boat equipped with an advanced environment-friendly system, so there is no unpleasant engine noise.  Consequently, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains in the same way as people long ago. This type of boat can accommodate 25 to 37 people. Alternatively, there is a speedboat for those who are more adventurous. Because the lake is wide and the water is clear, visitors feel as though they are navigating on the sea.

Longjing Gorge is known as "The First Gorge of Dabie Mountains". There are four waterfalls in the Longjing Gorge. The highest of these has a drop of 230 feet (70 meters), and other waterfalls are respectively 164 feet (50 meters), 131 feet ( 40 meters) and 98 feet (30 meters) high. The waterfalls never lack water, and they are marvelous whenever you come. The name of Longjing Gorge is very special and refers to "dragon" as it is shaped like a dragon .The Chinese character "Long" means dragon.

Siwang Fortress was built in 1860 as a defense against enemy troops. Constructed of large stones, it is located to the northeast of Baima Peak, the present Siwang Fortress is 20 feet (6 meters) high and 1.7 yards (1.6 meters) wide while its circumference is 6,562 feet (2,000 meters). When standing on Siwang Fortress, all the scenic views of Baima Peak Scenic Area can be seen. Walking along the old wall, you will find some ruined observation windows that are traces of the fort's history.

In addition to the main peak area, many sites on the Dabie Mountains have been opened to tourists for sightseeing, like Tiantangzhai, one of its main peaks also in Lu'an, and Mount Tianzhu, one of its branches in Anqing of Anhui.
 The mountains are also well-known as one of the bases of the Red Army. Located between Nanjing and Wuhan, two cities of great importance, the mountains were of great military importance. In 1947, Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, two famous militarists, led the Red Army to the mountains, which was ultimately a significant step in bringing an end to the civil war. Since then, Dabie Mountains have been known national wide.
 Yellow Sprout Tea is one of China’s famous teas, and it grows in the high mountains with an elevation of 1,312 feet (400 meters). Due to the unique climatic conditions, its quality here is very good. In ancient times, Yellow Sprout Tea was offered to royal families. Yellow Sprout Tea, Yellow Mountain and Huangmei Opera are three specialties of Anhui Province.

Huoshan ganoderma lucidum is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine. It reputed to increase one's immunity and protects against bacterium; it also helps to maintain beauty and a youthful vitality.
 

When traveling by air, you should fly to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, which is nearest to the scenic area.

 After arriving at the airport, visitors can take airport shuttle bus line 4 to Hefei West Bus Station.
After that, visitors can take bus to Huoshan County; the first bus departs at 06: 40 and the last one departs at 18:00; the journey takes about 3 hours and the fare is CNY40.
After arriving at Huoshan County, visitors can take the bus to Taiyang Village; there are only two buses to Taiyang Village; the first bus departs at 07: 00 and the last one departs at 14:00; duration is about 2.5 hours and the fare is CNY 25. After that, visitors can rent a car for the remainder of the trip to Baima Peak Scenic Area; it takes 20 minutes and the fare is CNY30. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the scenic area directly from Huoshan County, which takes about 2.5 hours and CNY 300; if possible, you can share a taxi with other fellow travelers and split the cost.

 Visitors also can take airport shuttle bus line 2 to Hefei General Bus Station, and then walk northwest for about 1,000 yards (914 meters) to Hefei Tourism Bus Station.
After that, you can take bus to Huoshan County. The first bus departs at 06: 50 and the last one departs at 17:30; tickets cost about CNY 40 and duration is 3 hours.
After arriving at Huoshan County, take a local bus or taxi to Baima Peak Scenic Area.
 

Traveling by train, you should arrive at Lu'an Railway Station.
Visitors can then take a taxi to Lu'an South Bus Station; it takes about an hour.
From there take the bus to Huoshan County and then change to the local bus or taxi to the scenic area.

Admission Fee	March---November	Baima peak---CNY110 Longjing Gorge—CNY90 Bieshan Lake----CNY80 , including boat ticket Siwang Fortress-----CNY80
	December—next February	Baima peak---CNY 55 Longjing Gorge—CNY45 Bieshan Lake: CNY 40 CNY, including boat ticket Siwang Fortress----CNY80
	Children above 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) need to buy half-price ticket. Children under 3.9feet (1.2 meters) go free.
Opening Hours	March---November	07:00---16:00
	December—next February	07:00----16:00