Huai Feng Circle Outing Notes, July 20, 2008

This post was extracted from my early NetEase Blog archive. NetEase Blog is no longer operating, but these old words still feel interesting enough to move over mostly as they were. This is mainly for the record, and because of age the writing, images, and links may be rough.

This post was originally published on July 22, 2008. I was about 19 years old then, had graduated from high school, and was preparing to go to university.

On July 20, the weather was clear. A group of circle friends came to the Wolong Mountain Scenic Area in Xiejiaji District, Huainan City. "Related introduction: Wolong Mountain Scenic Area has many scenic spots and historic sites, and rich natural and cultural landscapes, including Longwo Spring, Sisters Spring, Yuannu Spring, Qingshi Gorge, the Imperial Censor's Stele, the Imperial Edict Archway, Qianli Slope, Paoyuwu, and more than twenty other sights. There are more than eighty types of trees in the scenic area, and deep in the forest there are rare animals such as foxes, pheasants, and hwamei birds."

Some outing photos attached!

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At nine o'clock, the group decided to tour along the lake. We stepped on the soft mud by the lake, moving through and jumping across strange-shaped rocks, with the whole lake view in sight. The two little fellows who came along were very active, taking photos and catching crabs all the way… laughter never stopped. Just as everyone was resting in a pavilion in the mountains, from the mouth of a little fellow in the distance came the shout, "Come look, there is a human skull here." At first everyone thought it was a joke, but when we rushed over, we found that it really was an old skull. Perhaps it was caused by the lake water, rising and falling, washing out the grave of some ancestor on the mountain. After the group silently mourned it, we continued the rest of our "journey."

Leaving the riverbank, we passed through the parasol-tree forest by the lake. "Related introduction: Parasol-tree forest: located north of Wolong Lake, the forest blocks out the sky, lush and green, standing tall. It is the lower garden of the quite famous Sun Family Garden. Sun Family Garden was built during the Qianlong period by Sun Pan, uncle of Sun Jianai, a late Qing dynasty top scholar from Shouzhou, when Sun Pan withdrew from public life." Inside it, there was even more of a feeling of entering a tropical rainforest. The dense trees, the endlessly noisy cicadas, and the ancient tombs appearing from time to time all gave the mountain forest a mysterious feeling. There were "treasures" everywhere on the mountain. Picking mushrooms, tasting mountain pears, and observing all kinds of plants naturally became some of the most meaningful activities of this trip. What made us happy was that on the road we also found an immature lingzhi mushroom! This was my first time seeing a growing lingzhi!

At 11:45 noon, the group returned to the farmhouse restaurant by the lake, and in our hands there were of course many "trophies": crabs, wood ear mushrooms, mountain pears, mushrooms - everything. I had wanted to experience the spirit of tasting a hundred herbs and turn our own harvest into delicious dishes, but unfortunately conditions were limited, so this could only remain a regret. During the tasty lunch, everyone introduced themselves and played quite a few games, increasing our understanding of each other. "The sheep from Sichuan" became the phrase everyone remembered most deeply and laughed about most happily.

After lunch was free entertainment time. In groups of three or five, chatting and playing cards became the main themes.

In the afternoon, everyone had close contact with Wolong Lake. "Related introduction: Wolong Lake: located in the central scenic area, with rippling blue waves and pleasant scenery. Beside the lake are sights such as Golden Chrysanthemum Slope, Ancient Cypress Sunset Glow, Crocodile Rock, Tiger Cave, Flock of Sheep Seeking Passage, and Calm Pool Moon Viewing. Along both shores of the lake, strange rocks stand ruggedly. Their unusual postures and weird forms, like 'spirits,' add much room for imagination." We changed into swimsuits, put on life jackets, and joined the ranks of the fish. It truly made people feel delighted!

Postscript: Though the day's journey was short, it was filled with unlimited joy. How happy it is to pull your body and mind out from the busyness of the city and place them in nature! Huai Feng Circle will also hold similar outing activities. Everyone is welcome to give valuable suggestions on destinations and plans!