Huangshan Mountains is a granite mountain and it consists of 72 peaks, all 1000 meters above sea leve. Among the four marvels which Huangshan is famous for, uniquely shaped pines tops the list.

As a Chinese saying goes, only arrive at Shixin Peak, you’ll begin to know what Huangshan pines are really like. At the west of the Shixin Peak, thousands of pine trees are deeply rooted in the cracks of the rocks and stand firm on the cliffs or steep slopes.

With their twisting branches and flat crowns, these trees stand strong against gusts and blizzards. No wonder pine trees have been depicted for centuries as a symbol of endurance and perseverance in Chinese culture.

What’s worth mentioning is a pine tree by the name of Lianli, or Double. The pine is divided into two branches, which almost have the same thickness and height. It’s said that one branch represents Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty, and the other represents his favorite concubine, Lady Yang. After they died, they had been buried in the same place and this tree grew into a “couple pine”, a symbol of their faithful love. Thus, couples are always taking pictures in front of this pine tree.

Lianli (trees whose branches interlock or join together) Pines

On our way down the mountain, Benjamin Simon, an Indian travel managing director, remarked “The thousand-year-old pines and thousand-meter-tall rocks are magic of the nature, from which I take in energy and feel relaxing.”

He came to know of Huangshan Mountain from a tour guide when he was traveling in Lijiang, China. “This is like a dream come true. I’ve been told this is the most fantastic location in the world and Shixin Peak convinced me,” he said.

Xu Xiake, a well-known geographer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), once said, "When I have visited Huangshan Mountains, I don't even wish to visit others."

Another geographer at that time Huang Xiyuan did not believe in what he said and went to the mountains to see for himself. Once he arrived at the Shixin Peak, he was almost immediately convinced by the beauty of Huangshan Moutains and wrote down "Shixin”, literally meaning “beginning to believe”, on a stone.

That’s also what we wanted to write on the stones.

Editor: Xie Fang (Chinadaily.com.cn)