Some Well-known Fantastic Pines In Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)

As one of Four Wonders of Mt. Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), odd-shaped pines are scattering about peaks and ravines. They commonly grow on the alpine peaks which are about 800-1,800 meters above the sea level. They are a famous tree species in botany.

Huangshan pines are different from other pines. Most of them don't grow on the earth, but root on steep cliffs and stand on alpine peaks and steep ravines. They grow from rocks. They are sturdy. Tortuous branches twist together. The gesture is very beautiful and odd.

Welcoming Guest Pine: It is located in the east side of the Jade Screen Peak and on the Wenshu Cave. It's about ten meters high. The diameter of its trunk is 64 centimeters, and the diameter of its root is 75 meters. At the middle part of its trunk, two main lateral shoots, which are 7.6 meters long, stretch forwards. It looks like a hospitable host who flings her arms out and welcomes the arrival of guests at home and abroad warmly. This pine is the representative of Mt. Huangshan's pines. It's the treasure of China. A huge iron picture, Welcoming Pine, is exhibited in Anhui Hall of Beijing Great Hall of the People. This picture is made depending on the image of Welcoming Pine.

Seeing-Guest-Out Pine: It is beside the path of the Jade Screen Peak. The branches of this pine are low green. One lateral shoot stretches out, like bowing out guests. So it's called "the Seeing-Guest-out Pine".

Black Tiger Pine: It's located in the road conjunction of the North Sea and the Beginning-to-Believe Peak. It's about 15 meters high and the diameter of its trunk is 65 centimeters. Projection area of the crown is about 100 square meters. It's about 700 years old. It was said that a shaman had ever been to the Lion Forest and passed here. Suddenly, he saw a black tiger hunched up on the top of the pine, but this black tiger disappeared in the twinkling of an eye. He only saw a tall pine. The trunk of this pine is very stout. Pine needles are low green. Majestic branches are full of vigor. The crown is dark green which is nearly black. It looks like a white tiger hunching up under a slope. So it's called the Black Tiger Pine.

Double Dragon Pine: It's opposite the Echo Wall of the West Sea. The pine has two main trunks. It grows out from the crack of the rock and twists on the steep cliff. In shape, it looks like two dragons which are playing in the cloud sea and pine forest. So it's called "the Double Dragon Pine". In 1977, it was attacked by lightning and died. But the trunk is still there, and travelers can see its grant posture of the past.

Phoenix Pine: It's 200 meters to the east of the Sea Heart Pavilion. The diameter of its root is 30 centimeters. The trunk of it is low and short. In the place where the pine is 40 centimeters, it's divided into two branches. One loftily extends slanting as if a phoenix stretches its neck; the other is flattened as if a phoenix displays its fine tail feathers.

Leading Pine: It is the third in nine famous pines. It's located on the Beginning-to-Believe Peak. Three sides of the Beginning-to-Believe Peak face ravines and just one side can be climbed up with some tools. It's extremely breathtaking. This pine stretches its branches as if it leads travelers to pass ravines. So it's called "the Leading Pine". Now, there is a "the Duxian Bridge" having been built.

Couple Pine: It's on the way from the Black Tiger Pine to the Beginning-to-Believe Peak. The pine stands erectly from the earth. In the place where the pine is 2 meters away from the land, the pine is divided into two branches. They join together and grow up to the top on the same stalk. They are nearly in the same thickness and height. Until now, they are full of vigor. It's said one branch is Tangxuanzong (an emperor of the Tang dynasty) and the other is Yangguihui (one concubine of Tangxuanzong).Before their death, they had promised to come to Mt. Huangshan together to be husband and wife after their death. When Yangguihui died, she stood by her promise. She went to Mt Huangshan and lived in Penglai Three Islands. When Tangxuanzong died, he did so. He met with Yangyuhuan (Yangguihui). They became this Couple Pine in the Beginning-to-Believe Peak of the North Sea. The pine symbolizes the throughout loyal love.