YELLOW MOUNTAIN

After a few days in Shanghai, Reid's business associate and friend Will Wang drove us all, along with his GF Nono, five hours south to hike the famous Yellow Mountain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huangshan














But first along the way we stopped to take in the Bao Gardens with its bonsai museum and other attractions.

http://www.paifangqun.com/jwhl/class-e.asp?classid=56&parentid=53

Did I mention that it rained a bit?  And that Shannon's hair got REAL curly?

Then on to Huangshan City where we spent the night.  A very interesting evening.  Dinner in a locals' joint, traditional foods ... but with one exotic Chinese embellishment (besides the foot massage we would all indulge in after dinner). 

Will noticed that the restaurant owner had this jar behind her counter:

Looks sort of like a jar for sun tea, doesn't it?  No.  Not tea.  It is a special form of baijiu liquor.  Read the few lines at the bottom of that linked article.  Yes, inside the jar there is a formerly living venomous snake.  For some reason -- don't recall exactly why, it just seemed like a good idea at the time -- we all had a shot of this potent 'snake oil.'  Ganbei!  ("Empty Glass")  And I blame that on all the bing de pijiu (cold beer) that had accompanied our delicious dinner.  This particular baijiu is known to possess many medicinal qualities.  As to the taste, I can hardly say -- I swallowed my sip so fast.  
Very interesting.  [Isn't there a Chinese curse? -- "May you live in interesting times."]

Bright and early next morning we made our way over to the base of Yellow Mountain to begin climbing the many thousands of steps carved centuries ago in granite to the top of this spectacular precipice.

This is the classic view of the Welcoming Pine at Huangshan, as if the tree reaches out to wave visitors onward and upward.

We were very fortunate in having good weather during the two days.  

Aren't those clouds above amazing?

At times the steps were more like a ladder.

This shot is a trifle deceptive, as it does not show the thousands of tourists who were also climbing along with us.

This is Will Wang with his Nono (up in the clouds on the second day, actually).

The five of us, snapped before several Chinese crowded in wishing to be a part of our photos.

And here we are at one of the highest viewpoints of Yellow Mountain.  To the right you see a hotel and a cable car station.

Next morning we took part in the ritual viewing of the sunrise, along with a multitude of others, rising at 0430 and returning immediately to the sack afterward.

Yellow Mountain for me ranks right up there with the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mt Fuji, Big Sur, Zermatt, and all the many awe-inspiring places I have been privileged to see.  Awesome is too weak a word.  Many thanks to Will Wang, Reid Schook, and the numerous others who helped make Shannon's and my trip so very, very enjoyable.