There are many incredible mountain ranges in China, and many of them are famous throughout the world for their natural beauty, history and cultures. China's spectacular mountain landscapes attract the professional climber and wide-eyed adventurer alike. The following is a brief listing of the 10 most famous mountains in China.
Mount Tai
Mount Tai, located in the east of North China Plain and the middle of Shandong Province, is a typical representative of the Chinese famous traditional mountains which have a long history and a special historic status. With a total area of 426 sq km, its highest peak is the Jade Emperor Peak, which is about 1,545 meters above sea level. Mt. Taishan is called "Chief of the Five Sacred Mountains" and "First Mountain under Heaven", it was listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO in Dec 1987.
Huangshan Mountain
Huangshan Mountain, located 80km north of Huangshan City in the south of Anhui Province, near to She, Yi, Taiping and Xiuning four counties. Mount Huangshan extends 40 kilometers from south to north and 30 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of 1200 square kilometers, of which 160.6 square kilometers is the core of the scenery. Its highest peak is the Lotus Peak, which is about 1,864 meters above sea level. Huangshan Mountain is famous for its Four Wonders: oddly-shaped pines, bizarre rocks, seas of clouds and the thermal springs. It was listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO in Dec 1990.
Mount Hua
Mount Hua, also known as Xiyue, was situated to the south of Huayin County, about 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) east from Xi'an City of Shaanxi Province. It is one of the five sacred mountains in China with a long history of religious significance, it was also known as "The No. 1 Precipitous Mountain under Heaven" with its elevation of 2200 meters above sea level. Mount Hua was divided into five main peaks, of which the highest is the South Peak at 2,154.9 meters (7,070 ft) above sea level. Mount Hua is famous for its natural vistas of steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags, and a high mountain range.
Mount Emei, located in the southwestern part of the Chengdu Plain in Emeishan City, about 150 km away from Chengdu City of Sichuan Province. The mountain stretches 23 km from south to north with a total area of 154 sq km, of which the Buddhist sacred land The Golden Summit is the highest travel point with an elevation of 3077 meters above sea level. Mt. Emei is the highest of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China with its highest peak Wanfo Top at 3,099 meters above sea level. Mount Emei Scenic Area is famous for the characters of grandness, elegance, wonder and fantasticality with the reputation of "Beauty under Heaven", it was listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO in Dec 1996.
Mount Lu
Mount Lu or Lushan, located in the southern part of Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province. The oval-shaped mountains are about 25 km long and 10 km wide, occupies a total area of 302 square kilometers. Its highest peak is the Dahanyang Peak, which is about 1,474 meters above sea level. The mountain is a well-known summer resort and sanitaria, which is very famous for its beautiful landscape and spectacular mountains. Mount Lu was regarded as one of the spiritual centers of Chinese civilization and it was listed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in Dec 1996.
Mount Everest
Mt.Everest, also known as Mount Qomolangma, was meaning Mother Goddess of the Universe. It is located in the Himalayan Mountains between China's Tibet and Nepal with its north side in Tingri County of Tibet, China and south side in Nepal. It is the highest peak in the world with its elevation of 8,844.43 meters above sea level. The whole mountain looks like a huge pyramid, mighty and imposing. The snow-capped mountains, azure sky, golden rays of sunshine, the pure and mysterious aura of Tibet has excited the imagination of so many people of the worldwide.
Changbai Mountain
Changbai Mountain is located in the counties of Antu, Wusong and Changbai in southern Jilin Province and ranged on the border between China and North Korea. Changbai Mountain extends 78.5 kilometers from north to south, and 53.3 kilometers from west to east, covering an area of over 200,000 hectares. Its highest peak is Jiangjun Peak on the North Koreas’ side, with an elevation of 2750 meters above sea level; and the highest peak within China's border is Baiyun Peak, with an elevation of 2691 meters above sea level.
Wuyi Mountains
Wuyi Mountains, located between Wuyishan City, Nanping prefecture in Fujian province and Wuyishan Town, at Shangrao City in Jiangxi province. With a total area of 99.975 hectares, Wuyi Mountains have 36 graceful peaks and 99 caves, which are skirted by a zigzagging river called Nine Bend Creek. Wuyi Mountain is a typical Danxia landform; it was listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1999.
Yushan Mountain
Yushan Mountain, located in southern Taiwan, is one of the five mountain ranges in Taiwan. With its north side in Yushan Mountain block and south side in the area of 18 Luohan Mountain in Kaohsiung City, it has a total length of 180 kilometers, so it is the shortest of the five mountain ranges in Taiwan. It is the highest peak in Taiwan with its elevation of 3952 meters above sea level.
Mount Wutai
Mount Wutai, also known as Qingliang Mountain, located in the northeastern of Wutai County in Shanxi Province. Consisting of five peaks (North, South, East, West, and Central) and all of them are flat-topped peaks, hence the name. Covering a total area of 300 kilometers, its highest peak is the North peak, called Beitai Ding or Yedou Feng, has an elevation of 3061 meters above sea level. Mount Wutai is one of the four major Buddhist Mountains in China, which has the longest and most prestigious history. It was listed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2009.