Winter Travelogue at Wulao Peak: Encountering a Live Ink Splash by Immortals!
Winter Travelogue at Wulao Peak: Encountering a Live Ink Splash by Immortals!
Before the climb: Hiking in winter? I chose to hibernate under the covers 😴
After the climb: Wow! The immortal’s brush-washing pool spilled over, splashing me with a face full of vibrant colors! 🤩
Friends! Take my advice, never come to Wulao Peak in Yongji, Shanxi in winter! Because... once you come, you won’t want to leave, and your legs won’t feel like your own! As a “silly kid” from the south freezing like a dog, coming north to find warmth, I experienced a magical journey of ice and fire here.
Core Experience One: Ink Splash at the Summit, the Immortal’s Painting Board Overturned!
The autumn and winter at Wulao Peak are most remarkable for their “immortal aura.” As the highest point in southern Shanxi, the sea of clouds here is no ordinary cloud.
When I reached the main peak, Yuzhu Peak, at an altitude of 1809.3 meters, it had just cleared after rain and snow. Wow, what’s in front of me isn’t just a mountain—it’s like a giant brush-washing pool for immortals! Endless waves of clouds surged beneath my feet, and the distant ochre Danxia peaks appeared like ink blocks faintly visible in the sea of clouds. The most magical part was the autumn leaves (yellow and red) and the lush green pines and cypresses on the cliff, all soaked in this “milky sea,” with colors fully saturated.
Personal Experience: Standing on the iron chain sky bridge, the wind made me sway, feeling like I wasn’t here to hike but to undergo a trial. But this flowing poem of heaven and earth before my eyes was truly worth it! I heard this place is the “52nd blessed land of Taoism,” and at that moment, I believed it and even wanted to meditate on the spot.
Core Experience Two: Frozen Milk in the Valley, Entering a Snow and Ice Fairy Tale Town!
If the summit is an impressionistic landscape painting, then the Jinxiu Valley at the foot of the mountain is a delicate ice and snow sculpture exhibition. This is the park’s winter highlight—the Glacier World.
The streams and waterfalls that babble in summer are all “frozen” in winter. Walking into the valley feels like entering Queen Elsa’s castle. The cliff walls are covered with crystal-clear ice stalactites, some over ten meters tall, like giant crystal curtains. The coolest part is the colorful ice waterfalls! Lights shining on the ice refract dreamy colors, and as a southerner, I was truly at a loss for words beyond “wow.”
Personal Experience: I took crazy photos in front of the ice formations, my hands turning bright red from the cold but unwilling to put down my phone. The park is very thoughtful, hanging red lanterns along the path and setting up “red envelope trees,” full of festive New Year vibes, making photos especially stunning. Occasionally, you can even see intangible cultural heritage performances like dragon dances on ice, very lively.
Other Must-Not-Miss Fun Experiences
· Taoist Trail: The mountain once had 64 temples and monasteries. You can visit Lingfeng Temple on Taiyi Peak to experience the incense-filled atmosphere and appreciate the religious cultural heritage that rivals Mount Wutai in the north and south.
· Strange Stone Adventure: The stones on the mountain “tell stories”! For example, “One Line Sky” is said to have been split open by Chenxiang when rescuing his mother; and the “Little Red Cliff,” where Guan Yu’s escape stained the cliff red. It’s very interesting to see while walking.
· Easy Descent: Legs too weak after climbing? Try taking the 450-meter-long granite slide from Lotus Platform down the mountain. It’s like sliding down a childhood slide—zoom, back to the mid-mountain, fun and effortless.
My Super Practical (Tearful) Tips
1. Clothing Guide: Big temperature difference between mountain top and bottom! Be sure to dress in layers (onion-style). The summit is windy, so the life-saving trio of hat, gloves, and scarf is a must. Shoes must be non-slip!
2. Tickets and Transportation:
· Winter season (November to March) tickets are 60 yuan, cheaper than peak season. Keep an eye on park promotions; for example, sharing posts previously granted free tickets.
· The park is large, so it’s recommended to buy sightseeing bus tickets. If driving, follow the official route navigation; it’s convenient from Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan, and other places.
3. Route Choices:
· Lazy Essential Route: Take the cable car up → visit Yuzhu Peak and Taiyi Peak → take the slide or cable car down → tour Jinxiu Valley Glacier.
· Warrior Challenge Route: Climb 2,399 steps (400 meters elevation gain, great for glutes and legs!) → visit all peaks → choose an easy way down.
4. Best Time: For sea of clouds and residual snow, mid to late November through early December is ideal. For ice waterfall viewing, January to mid-February is best.
5. Sincere Reminder: Keep receipts for any park expenses (like transport tickets) to avoid disputes. Management sometimes gets complaints, so be vigilant yourself.
In short, Wulao Peak’s autumn and winter are like a box of chocolates with rich flavors—you never know if the next view will be a magnificent sea of clouds, a brilliant colorful forest, or a magical ice waterfall. This surprise is definitely worth leaving your warm room for a bit of “cold”!