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Amazing trip to Mianshan Mountian
August-12-2010

Mianshan Mountian in Shanxi Province is a tourist park filled with Buddhist and Taoist The statue of Jie and his mother sits on Dragon Ridge, which is the first area of Mianshan Mountain, just inside the main gate.[Photo by Courtney]

Daluo Temple is the largest Taoist temple in China, and it rests on a part of Mianshan Mountain that resembles a lion's back. The temple includes shrines for the constellations, as well as a library that holds Taoist texts. [Photo by Courtney]

The Sky Bridge area, the next stop through the mountain, features a path built into the wall of the cliff and a temple below. [Photo by Courtney]

The Sky Bridge leads over to the next area, Funnel Spring, where the drum tower stands looking over the valley and out into the plains nearby. [Photo by Courtney]

Further into the mountain, across from the Sleeping Dragon Hotel, stands the temple in the Zhujia Hollow area, atop steep stairs and tucked back into the curve of the mountain. [Photo by Courtney]

Zhujia Hollow has two overlook spots sticking out over the canyon, and the views from these structures are incredible any time of day. [Photo by Courtney]

A sign on the road through Mianshan points to the 'Cliff of Fear,' which is also known as “Sacrifice Cliff.” Like the Sky Bridge, the walkway of the Cliff of Fear is built right into the cliff of the mountain, and the path offers a great view of the valley below. [Photo by Courtney]

Qixian Valley is the next stop on the trip into the park. A walkway built over a waterfall, Qixian Valley proves to be the most thrilling adventure in Mianshan. [Photo by Courtney]

The climb up to the Mummy Temple involves tackling the zig-zagging staircase, followed by a slight hike through a wooded path. [Photo by Courtney]

The trek affords some of the best views of the mountains across the ravine. [Photo by Courtney]

The Mummy Temple sits high atop the cliff of the mountain, and stands eight stories tall. For tourists able to climb the ladders, the view from the top of the temple is worth the effort. [Photo by Courtney]

Near the back of the Mianshan Mountain scenic area, Jiegong Ridge rises as the site of the origin of the Cold Food Festival, as a tribute to Jie Zitui, an adviser to Prince Chong'er. The story of how Jie saved the prince and was then betrayed by him has been traced to be about 2,500 years old. [Photo by Courtney]

Jiegong Ridge is the site of Jie's tomb, and the view from the top is like standing on top of the world. [Photo by Courtney]

Shuitao Valley is the deepest part of Mianshan Mountain, and the valley stretches long past the end of the paved road. Steps lead up through the trees, past a flowing stream that spills over several waterfalls throughout the valley. [Photo by Courtney]

The waterfall near the end of the climb through the valley is a spectacular sight —and a fun photo opportunity as well. [Photo by Courtney]

The mountains surrounding Shuitao Valley dominate the skyline, and the sharp, jagged cliffs are accentuated just before sunset. [Photo by Courtney]

And as for sunsets, and as a great way to round out any day on Mianshan Mountain, the Jade Emperor Pavilion at Zhujia Hollow is the perfect place to watch the sun slip down perfectly into the valley of Mianshan Mountain, and behind the mountain ranges in the distance. [Photo by Courtney]

 
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