If visitors come from Lijiang to the First Bend of the Yangtze River and continue their northward journey, they will reach Mt. Laojun, which is praised as the "Oldest among all Yunnan mountains". Legendary tales say that when taking his alchemic tours, Laojun, the Very High Lord passed by the Mountain and carelessly dropped his Magic Mirror which later turned into 99 limpid lakes on the Laojun Mountain, and hence the mountain got its name. The scenic resort is densely covered with verdure trees amongst which are strings of lakes. Rare flowers and strange grass flourish on the mountain slopes.
At spring time, all kinds of rhododendron and azalea dye the mountain slopes and valleys into a crimson world, vividly resembling the magnificent morning sunglows. Lingering in such a picturesque scene, visitors would be deeply enchanted. Major scenic spots on Mt. Laojun include the Jinsichang, the Gate of the Southern Skies, the rhododendron bushes, Pool of the Yellow Dragon, the Peach-blossom Garden, Mountain of the Five Immortals, the Buddha Rock in the Morning Sunglow, Mountain of the Bird King, the 99 Dragon Lakes, the Black Dragon Lake, Sishiluo, Anqilin, etc.
On the east flank of Mt. Laojun, there is the red-rock geomorphology formed by 200 km2 of red sandstone, the scene of which is the only one in China. Coming to the place, visitors see rocks and precipitous peaks which show diversified forms and colors, and the magnificent scene is named Red-rock Cliffs in the Morning Sunglow. Because that the sun seems to hate leaving the scene, and there emerges the wonder Morning Sunglow which features the seemingly 3 sunrises and sunsets in the same day. |
