Macheng Tortoise Mountain

( chinadaily.com.cn, mcgfs.cn, chinatravel.com )

Updated: 2011-12-08

The magical Tortoise Summit resembles a giant tortoise raising its head towards the sky.

The Tortoise Mountain scenic spot is located in the central section of Dabie Mountains. It is about 100 kilometers away from Wuhan city and 21 kilometers from Macheng city. The mountain range comprises summits for tortoise head, back and tail. It stretches 16 kilometers long and seven kilometers wide. The highest peak is 1,320 meters above the sea level. The magical Tortoise Summit, a landmark scene, is a natural treasure bestowed by the universe. It resembles a giant tortoise raising its head towards the sky. The mountain, looking like a tortoise to stretching towards heaven, has become a geological wonder and is reputed as the Best Tortoise of the world. It is also known as Mountain of Longevity. The mountain is famous for the rare, risky, steep and elegant natural sights. It is an attraction to tourists from various places and is also a renowned summer resort in eastern Hubei with temperatures averaging 23℃ during the season.

The mountain is famous for the rare, risky, steep and elegant natural sights.

Tortoise Mountain has over 100,000 mu azalea (Rhododendronsimsii), with trees aged at 100 years old. The biggest azalea trees can have as many as 56 branches with trunk branches ranging from 6-10cm in diameter. The crown stretches six meters in diameter and covers 35 square meters. It is the largest century-old Rhododendronsimsii ecological colony in the country. Compared with ordinary azalea colonies, Tortoise Mountain colony has experienced natural evolution over millions of years. The vegetation colony has been well preserved. It is spread wide and high (31 degrees northern latitude and 1,200 meters above the sea level), is concentrated in large areas and is of high botanical and ecological values. These are the most ideal samples to study ancient azalea colonies. The colony is unique in the world and important for scientific research because it is old and well preserved with wide coverage.

Tortoise Mountain has over 100,000 mu azalea (Rhododendronsimsii), with trees aged at 100 years old.

It is like a wonderland.

It is like a wonderland.

Tortoise Mountain comprises nine summits, including the magical head, imposing back and life-like tail.

Tortoise Mountain has a profound cultural heritage. The fairy tale of Divine Tortoise Swallow Sun brings the history back to remote ancient times. One example is, “The Battle of Boju,” that occurred 2,500 years ago, when Kingdom Wu and Kingdom Yue contended for power. Other historical figures have left their traces in the place, such as Cao Cao, Emperor Wudi of Wei Dynasty; Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty; Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Taizu of Ming Dynasty; Chen Yucheng, a king of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and Yu Chenglong, a clean official of Qing Dynasty. Party and state leaders including, Zhou Enlai, Dong Biwu, Chen Yi, Li Xiannian, Qiao Shi, Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Li Ruihuan, Zhu Rongji and Wen Jiabao were present at Tortoise Mountain. The mountain has been frequented by celebrities and refined scholars since early times. Urban and rural tourists may find it to be an ideal destination to visit.

Tortoise Mountain has a profound cultural heritage.

Tortoise Mountain is a gathering place of merchants and has rich and diversified local products. Macheng that hosts the mountain has a station for Beijing-Kowloon Railway. It is an intersection of the Shanghai-Wuhan-Chengdu express railway and Daqing-Guangzhou and Wuhan-Hefei expressway. Macheng will become the third largest city in Hubei province in transportation facilities. It is the true back garden of Wuhan city.

Climbing to the top

There are many picturesque spots on this mountain, including the Rising Sun of Turtle Peak, Horse Rock, Kwan-yin Rock, Chessboard Rock, Heart-testing Rock, Running Tiger Well, White Dragon Well, Black Dragon Well and much more.

"The Rising Sun of Turtle Peak” is one of the most well-known attractions. In the morning, if you get up early enough, you will see the sun rising at Yanmen Stockaded Village among a misty expanse of waves and a sea of clouds.

Every single scenic spot has its own romantic local legend. The most marvelous scenery is "the Turtle’s Saliva.” The Turtle’s Saliva is a stream of clear spring water that is cool in the summer and warm in winter and ever-lasting despite the change of weather. Thus derives the saying, “turtle tea with the turtle’s saliva is the most enjoyable thing in the world.”

Turtle Lake. There are many picturesque spots on this mountain.

Turtle Lake covered in snow

A waterfall. Every single scenic spot has its own romantic local legend.