a.Brief Introduction
This Mountain is located in the northern part of Jiangxi Province,to the south of the Yangtze River and northwest of Poyang Lake. Thepicturesque Mountain is well known in China. The scenic area, covering302 square km, houses 16 natural wonders, 474 scenic spots and 171peaks.
The scenery in the Lushan scenic area is breathtaking. It is full ofsheer peaks and precipices, changeable clouds and fogs, silver springsand flying waterfalls. The flora is diverse and comprises about 3,000species. Features of glaciation during the Quaternary Period make Mt.Lushan even more mysterious. There are millions of migratory birds inthe Poyang Lake area. The dancing of the largest number of cranes overthe water makes it a world wonder.
Lushan abounds in historic and cultural relics. The great historianof the Han Dynasty, Sima Guang, climbed Mt. Lushan, and wrote about itin his classic The Historical Records. Bailudongshuyuan (White DeerCave Academy) was the most famous of the four biggest academies inancient China, and enjoys high prestige in the Chinese history ofeducation.
Donglin Temple (East Grove Temple), built by eminent monks in theEastern Jin Dynasty, was the birthplace of the Jintu (Pure Earth) sectof Buddhism. More than 1,500 noted figures in history visited thisMountain, leaving behind some 4,000 pieces of verse and over 900inscriptions on the cliffs, as well as other writings, prints andcalligraphic works. There are about 600 villas here, with the styles of18 nations and cultures.
b.Cultural Heritage
According to legend, Yu the Great, who conquered devastating floodsin primeval times, visited Lushan. Emperor Qin Shihuang also visitedthe Mountain when he toured the south. Poets and scholars of everydynasty were attracted to Lushan and inspired to compose numerousworks. Among them were Tao Qian of the Jin Dynasty, Li Bai and Bai Juyiof the Tang Dynasty, Su Shi, Zhou Dunyi, Zhu Xi and Li Shizhen of theSong Dynasty, and Xu Xiake of the Ming Dynasty.
c.Natural Heritage
Mt. Lushan features geological structures of every period except theTriassic Period. It has unique evidence of glaciation during theQuaternary Period and is the birthplace of China's glaciological theory.
Though complicated, the geological structure can be clearly traced.There are the mainly north-east Quasi-Cathaysian system andnorth-north-east neo-Quasi-Cathaysian system. Lushan is a FaultMountain formed in the Quaternary Period. When it rose, the surroundingland sank, and the Poyang Basin eventually developed into Poyang Lake.The many grotesque rocks, towering peaks and cascading waterfallsconstitute a spectacular Mountain landscape. With frequent fog andmist, Lushan has cool summers. It also has typical flora and fauna.
d.Villas Scene
The modern villas are quite a sight on Mt. Lushan. Each villa is anindividual building complex. Its style and structure mirror the nativeculture of the former owner as well as his or her aesthetic taste. Thearchitects tended to build the villas in shady places, and pursued anatural and casual style. It is this style that enables the villas tobe well integrated with the natural scenery. The modern villas on Mt.Lushan, mostly one or two-storied, though in clusters, are less denselylocated and decorated with trees all around, which is a pleasingpicture to the eye. The villa complex is simple and natural in style.Each is like a distinctive geometric figure. You could hardly find twovillas that resemble each other.
