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| Introduction-Wuyi-The
Most Scenic Mountain in Southeast China |
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At
yilan (Panoramic View) Terrace atop Tianyou Peak, one
is rewarded with a bird's-eye view of the mountains
embraced by Nine Bend Creek.
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Following the example of Emperor Wudi, rulers
of later dynasties all attached great importance to Wuyi Mountain.
An altar was set up at the foot of Manting (Curtain Pavilion)
Peak to offer sacrifices to Master Wuyi every year. A temple
was also built there and a senior official was put in charge
of all affairs related to the mountain. Apart from the legendary
figure of Peng ZU, historical documents also mention a number
of well-known personages who have visited Wuyi, including scholars,
politicians, poets and the famous geographer and traveller Xu
Xiake.
The name Wuyi Mountain customarily refers to the Wuyi
Mountain Scenic Area located in the northern section of the
Wuyi Mountain chain, 15 kilometres from Wuyishan City in northwestern
Fujian. Originally called Chong'an County, it became Wuyishan
City in 1990. Now the city covers an area of 2,789 square
kilometres and has a population of over 200,OOO. On maps the
scenic area, though within the boundary of Wuyishan City, is
marked separately as Wuyi Mountain or Wuyi Palace. |
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Wuyi
Palace was formerly a temple built to offer sacrifices to
Master Wuyi, and houses the administration office in charge
of affairs associated with the mountain. Later, the term Wuyi
Palace extended to include the surrounding area, so that
today it refers to both the temple and the region. When it is
written on maps it always means the latter. Wuyi Palace is the
administrative, economic, cultural and tourist service centre
of the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area.
The Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve is south of the main
peak of the Wuyi Mountain chain, while the nature reserve's
administration headquarters are located in Sangang, 40 kilometres
west of the scenic area. The nature reserve occupies an area
of about 57,000 hectares and is on average 1,200 metres above
sea level. Mount Huanggang, 2,158 metres above sea level, is
the tallest peak in Southeast China. |
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