Hills and Waters
One of China’s ancient mountains, Mount Tianmu lies within the borders of Lin’an City, 84 kilometers west of Hangzhou. Part of the mountain has been preserved as the Mount Tianmu National Nature Reserve, which was added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Reaching an elevation of 1,506 meters, Mount Tianmu has eastern and western peaks, each topped with a permanent pond. Mount Tianmu, literally “eyes-that-face-heaven mountains,” gets its name from this set of ponds. The mountain is notable for its canopy of large trees and treasure-trove of biodiversity. It boasts awe-inspiring sights such as rare forests of large Japanese cedars and the only wild population of ginkgo trees in the world. It is a vital habitat for rare and endangered birds.
Mount Tianmu is also home to cultural sites that have their roots in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. This diversity reflects the ancient Chinese concept of harmony in diversity.
Being honored as “Wonderful Mountain of South China” and “Kingdom of Trees”, Tianmu Mountain is the origination of all the mountains in West Zhejiang. It is a World Biosphere Reserve and a national AAAA-class scenic spot. It owns the primeval forest closest to cities, about one hour’s drive from the urban area of Hangzhou.
As the best ecological travel mountain of China, and one of the “Ten Famous Summer Mountain of China”, Tianmu Mountain has become the most famous resort in South China. This famous religious mountain is the ashram of Bodhisattva Veda and the birthplace of ZHANG Daoling, the Great Taoist.
Time-honored Tianmu Mountain has attracted many celebrities including LI Bai and SU Dongpo. Being a National Popular Science Education Base and a National Science and Technology Education Base for Youth, it now serves as a popular science practice base for over 100 universities and colleges in China. Former Prime Minister ZHOU Enlai once made an anti-Japanese speech at Tianmu Mountain, making it a famous revolutionary scenic spot and a National Patriotism Education Base.
(Source: Lin’an Release (WeChat Public Account))
