The Cloud Sea
Humid ocean breezes and the strong transpiration of the forest forms moist air which ascends along the mountainsides and condenses into fog, adding a magnificent decorative white cloak to Wuling mountain. The "Cloud Sea" of Wuling varies in shape and density and standing at an altitude of more than 1800 metres and looking down, one feels the sensation of standing on an isolated island in the midst of a vast mist covered ocean. The mountains loom in the distance, like rocks rising from the silvery sea. At dawn and at night, the clouds and the tiny lights of houses seem to form a galaxy of stars on earth.

The Wuling Sunrise

Sunrise on Wuling is a kind of solemn baptism. Every morning, the sun slowly rises out of a vast sea of cloud. The sunshine suddenly splits into thousands of colorful rays but it outclasses a sunrise by the sea, the reflections on the moist air droplets making the glare even brighter and more magnificent.

The Snow

The Snow is like a naughty boy, staying on at home and reluctant to leave Wuling until May is truly over. Spring has alreday come to the twigs and flowers at the foot of the mountain. However, high up above, the mountains peaks are still sleeping fast in the grip of winter's memories and dreams.

The Scenery of Autumn

Yet another enchanting beauty of Wuling lies in its Golden Autumn. All down the mountainside lies a multicoloured carpet of trees clad in their autumn best. Poplars and birches are turning from green to yellow, to deep yellow and gold . Maples and vines are turning from green to light red then deep red. Only the spruces and pines keep their cool green coats. The wild chrysanthemum sway in the wind and the whole of Wuling mountain has once again donned its exquisite Autumn cloak.

Wuling History

Wuling Mountain was already famous in ancient times. And it was mentioned in "Shuijingzhu" ("Commentary to the River Classic") by Li Daoyuan, a geologist in Northern Wei period: "Fuling Mountain is extremely precipitous with steep cliff faces. Snow covers its shaded side. Ice stays frozen even in summer. So people take it as a mountain of fame." Ming dynasty scholar Gu Yanwu, wrote "the glamour and mist at the top exist in four seasons" in "Travelogue in Changping". During the Hongwu reign of the Ming dynasty Minister Liu Bowen engraved "Wuling Mountain --- Cool Place" on a huge piece of granite on his inspection tour to Caojialu, an important border site.

In 1645, Wuling Mountain was listed as forbidden "Houlong Fengshui Zone" of "East Cemetery" by the royal court of the Qing Dynastry, and it became the imperial site, with excellent Fengshui. After approval by the Hebei Provincial Government as a nature reserve in 1984, Wuling Mountain was upgraded as natural level ature protection zone. In 1995, it was added in the nature protection network of China, the "Human and Biology Circle" mainly to protect the northern area of macaque and temperate forest ecology system.( Text by Liu Yudan and Peng He Photo Source: www.wuling.com.cn)