Lushan National Park (1996)
China

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Mount Lushan, in Jiangxi, is one of the spiritual centres of Chinese civilization. Buddhist and Taoist temples, along with landmarks of Confucianism, where the most eminent masters taught, blend effortlessly into a strikingly beautiful landscape which has inspired countless artists who developed the aesthetic approach to nature found in Chinese culture. 
  • China 1981. Panoramas from Lushan National Park, shown in a set of seven stamps. Dragon-head Cliff. 

Located in the northern part of Jiangxi Province, Mt. Lushan faces the Yangtze River to the north and borders on the east with the largest fresh water lake in China, Poyang Lake. The mountain consists of 99 peaks, the tallest being Dahanyang, rising to the height of 1474 meters (4836 feet) above sea level. With this fantastic blend of mountains, sky, water and cragged cliffs it is one of China's best summer resorts.

China 1981. Lushan National Park. Dragon-head Cliff.

China 1981. Lushan National Park. Five-Veteral Peak. China 1981. Lushan National Park. Hanpo Pass. China 1981. Lushan National Park. Yellow Dragon Pool.

Mt. Lushan's beauty has been admired for centuries. About 1200 years ago, Li Bai, a master poet of Tang dynasty, portrayed Mt. Lushan in verse, paying homage to the magnificent scenery he saw and enjoyed. He used this area and its spenders as inspiration for many of his over 900 poems. With 22 waterfalls, 18 rapid torrents, 14 lakes and ponds, the Three Tier Spring is the most outstanding water attraction. A famous saying goes "if there is no Three Tier Spring, Mt. Lushan is not worth visiting". This waterfall plummets 155 meters (over 500 feet) from the pinnacle of Wulaofeng (Peak of Five Old Men), and comes to an abrupt end against the multi-tiered rocks at the cliffs base creating a spectacular screen of mist. 

China 1981. Lushan National Park. Sunlit Peak. China 1981. Lushan National Park. Three-layer Spring. China 1981. Lushan National Park. Stone and Pines.

The "Cloud Sea" at Mt. Lushan is impressive. The phrase "Cloud Sea" derives from the mountain being perpetually shrouded in mist. Sudongpo, a well-known poet of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1280), honored the "Cloud Sea" of Mt. Lushan for its ever-changing mist in one of his poems. He pointed out, "The failure to get the real looks of the mountain only results in the fact that you are right in the midst of it". By surprising contrast Mt. Lushan ranks as one of the top spots for watching a sunrise. 

Sources and links:

Other World Heritage Sites in China (on this site). Inactive links are not described on stamps. Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, section China for further information about the individual properties.  

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Revised 20 jun 2007  
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