A perilous 30-kilometer hiking trail winding through the cliffs of Emeishan, like a dragon twisting among the clouds. Its severity is astonishing, with layered stone steps, suspended walkways swaying like silk ribbons, and every step fraught with danger and wonder. Along the way, ancient trees tower overhead, vines entwine, and thousand-year-old ginkgos and sikas coexist. Suspended waterfalls and springs roar through the mist, creating a dreamlike realm. The trail is divided into nine sections of wonders, the first section, “Longchi Feibufa,” is famous for its thousand-foot waterfall; the middle section, “Wuyuntuai,” offers a panoramic view of the clouds, with stone terraces resembling floating clouds; the final section, “Yilutian,” can only accommodate one person at a time, with steep cliffs on either side, and sunlight piercing through the gaps forming light columns, like a miracle. Ancient road relics preserve the rock carvings of Qing Dynasty merchants, telling the story of the prosperous mountain road. This trail has been a sacred place for meditation since ancient times, and the eminent monk Fayan of the Eastern Jin Dynasty meditated here. Li Bai, the Tang Dynasty poet, wrote the phrase “Emeishan Moon Half Round Autumn” during his travels. The inscriptions on the trail walls are by Su Shi, and his brushwork is vigorous, complementing the natural wonders. This ancient trail is both a natural danger and a carrier of human spirit, fusing Buddhist Zen and poetic landscapes into the mountain mist and clouds, inspiring climbers to both respect the power of nature and immerse themselves in the beauty of heaven and earth.
