“Lung of the city.” That is what they call Wutong Mountain. It is also known as Wan Tam Shan. I want to tell you a story about this majestic peak.
Wan Tam Shan is the highest peak in Shenzhen. It stands tall at 943.7 meters. That’s 3,096 feet. Imagine standing at the top. You can see all of Shenzhen and even Hong Kong.
The name Wutong comes from a very old book. It is the Classic of Poetry. The Wutong tree is special. It makes the phoenix cry. Legend says the phoenix only lands on this tree. This gives the tree a noble status. People believe it brings good luck to Wan Tam Shan.
Some people think the name comes from the mountain’s shape. It looks like a centipede snaking through the land. In Chinese, centipede sounds similar to Wutong. Others say it is named after a thistle plant. This plant also sounds like “Wutong” in Mandarin. Still others say it comes from the “strange grass of Chinese parasol tree”.
Wan Tam Shan has been a scenic area since 1989. It covers 31.82 square kilometers. That is 12.29 square miles. It connects to Hong Kong with its streams and mountains. “Wuling Heavenly Pound” was once a famous view. Now, “Wutong Clouds” is one of Shenzhen’s eight new scenic spots.
The forest covers most of Wan Tam Shan. The rate is about 88.6%. You will see different types of forests as you climb. There are rainforests and broad-leaf forests. At the top, you will find smaller trees and shrubs.
There are many animals and plants here. Wan Tam Shan is like a gene bank for Shenzhen. You can find over a thousand types of plants. Also, there are hundreds of insects and animals. Some are even protected by the government.
Wan Tam Shan has a rich cultural history. A master named Ge Hong once practiced medicine here. He traveled to many mountains in Guangdong. Also, Lǚ Dongbin loved the mountain’s beauty. He wrote over 100 poems about it. Zhang Sanfeng built temples on Wan Tam Shan.
Taoist culture is very important here. There are temples like Shang Qing Palace and Taoyuanxian Cave. People worship many gods here.
If you want to climb Wan Tam Shan, you have options. Wutong Mountain Rd. North is the easiest. It is about 7.8 km long. It takes about 3 hours to climb. Taishan Stream Trail is classic. It is good for summer hiking. Bitong Rd. is the longest and most challenging.
Every year, there is a Hiking Festival on Wan Tam Shan. People come to enjoy the mountain. Also, there are flower displays.
Wan Tam Shan offers stunning views. You can see the city skyline and peaceful lakes. You might even spot Wutong flowers. The mountain has a TV tower as well.
So, come and explore Wan Tam Shan. Discover its natural beauty. Experience its rich culture. Remember the legend of the phoenix. Take a deep breath of the “Lung of the city”.