Towering in the southwestern suburbs of Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province, Longhu (Dragon and Tiger) Mountain is reputed to be the “cradle of Taoism”.

Legend has it that during the Eastern Han Dynasty(25-220), a green dragon and a white tiger appeared when Zhang Daoling, the first “Heavenly Master” of Taoism, practiced alchemy here, hence the mountain’s name. Particularly well-known for its typical Danxia landform, characterized by spectacular red cliffs and erosional landforms, Longhu Mountain has been cited as a Global Geopark and inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It boasts 23 types of Danxia landform, including clusters of rocky peaks, stone pillars of various shapes, and “a gleam of sky,” enjoying a sterling reputation for its unparalleled Danxia landscapes. Alongside Taoist relics and wondrous Danxia landscapes, a large group of cliff tombs, dating back more than 2,600 years to the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), compose the “three uniqueness” of Longhu Mountain. The traditional paintings on the three stamps, devoted to Rocks of Immortals and Water, Elephant Trunk Hill, and Zhengyi Taoist Abbey respectively, combine to present a big picture of Longhu Mountain, creating a sacred and serene Taoist atmosphere while showing the integrity of humanity and nature.

Source: Chinese Post

published August 6th, 2013