“Phoenix dwelling on Wutong Tree” is an ancient legend. It expresses people’s good wishes for Wutong Mountain. Today, let’s explore this famous peak together. Wutong Mountain is the tallest mountain in Shenzhen. It rises 943.7 meters high near the border of Luohu and Yantian.
Wutong Mountain is more than just a mountain. It is a state-level urban scenic area. It blends mountains, sea, and city views. From its peaks, you can see both Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The area serves to protect ecological resources and offer science education. People come here for leisure and sightseeing.
The mountain has two main peaks. Big Wutong is the highest peak in Shenzhen. Little Wutong offers equally stunning views. The name Wutong comes from the Classic of Poetry. This ancient book describes the Wutong tree. The poem says the phoenix only lands on this tree. This shows the tree’s nobility.
There are other stories about the name. Some say the undulating hills resemble a centipede. The Mandarin word for centipede sounds like Wutong. Others believe it comes from the thistles on the mountain. Still, others say it is named for the many spiritual plants here. These include Chinese parasol trees and orchids.
Wutong Mountain covers 31.82 square kilometers. It was founded in 1989. It is near Mirs Bay and connects to Hong Kong. The mountain rises from west to east. Small Wutong, Bean Curd Head, and Big Wutong are the main peaks. They are known as the “Three Towering Peaks.” The majestic mountain reflects Mirs Bay. The ever-changing clouds create a magical scene. Wutong Mountain has a long history. “Wuling Heavenly Pound” was once one of Xin’an County’s eight best views. Now, “Wutong Clouds” is one of Shenzhen’s eight new sceneries.
The mountain is called the “Lung of the city.” Its vast plant life creates an ecological barrier for Shenzhen. The forest covers 88.6% of the mountain. There are many types of plants here. South subtropics seasonal rainforests and broad-leaf forests thrive. Hilltop dwarf forests and shrubs also grow here. “Ten miles of Rhododentron flowers” and “Camellia flowers sea” create beautiful scenes.
Wutong Mountain has plentiful animals and plants. It is an important gene bank for Shenzhen. There are 1,376 species of plants here. Also, there are 537 species of insects. 196 species of animals call this park home. Some are protected species. These include the Aquilaria sinensis and the Python molurus.
Hakka culture is strong here. The mountain belonged to Boluo County in ancient times. Later, it became part of Xin’an County. The Taoist master Ge Hong visited Wutong Mountain. Lü Dongbin wrote over 100 poems about it. Zhang Sanfeng built many temples here in the Ming Dynasty. Wutong Mountain has been famous for Taoist culture for a long time. Temples like Shang Qing Palace are here.
In 2004, Wutong Mountain became one of Shenzhen’s eight scenic spots. There are many trails to reach the top. Wutong Mountain Rd. North is the easiest. Taishan Stream Trail is classic but harder. Bitong Rd. is the longest and most challenging.
Every October, the Wutong Mountain Hiking Festival takes place. Thousands of people join. Also, floral displays are significant here. Yantian District promotes ecological construction here.
Wutong Mountain offers gorgeous views and natural beauty. The North Gate Archway opened in 2007. Taishan Stream has 14 mountain streams. Castanopsis Fissa forests bloom in March and April. The Flower Viewing Platform is for Handroanthus chrysanthus. Pyrus Calleryana Viewing Platform shows white flowers in spring. Fenghuangtai has a view pavilion. Wanhuaping is full of Rhododendron flowers. Wutong Chahai displays camellias. Yitian Zhaofeng Pavilion overlooks Hong Kong. Haohanpo is a challenging climb. Dawutong is the highest peak. Tianchi was once one of Xin’an’s top sceneries. Xiaowutong Square has the Shenzhen TV Tower. Rhododendron Valley is north of Xiaowutong Square. Dujuan Tihong has rhododendrons. Juanping Yingbin has a flower wall. Chunjuan Jinxiu displays rhododendrons in spring. Xiajuan Tuyan shows rhododendrons in summer. Dongjuan Zhijin features rhododendrons on Xiaowutong’s camellia path.
Wutong Mountain is truly an emerald of Shenzhen. Its beauty and history make it a special place. Take a deep breath and enjoy the “Lung of the city.”