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Part II, Day 2 - High Level Dragon, Mount Tai
Last update: 23rd April 2008 5:36pm (GMT+08:00)
Reported by Sherwin Ng.
22nd April 2008 (Tuesday)
Today's walk up Shan Dong's Mount Tai was not as nerve-wrecking as climbing up Dragon Tiger Mountain. Nor was it as tiring as hiking up Guang Zhou's Mt. Bai Yun. But Mt. Tai, one of the Five Sacred Mountains, is where emperors from old dynasties would go to pray for peace and stability. We want to know why.
A 20 minute cable car ride up and there was still some walking to do. On the summit awaits the Jade Emperor Temple, our designated meeting spot after assessing the area. Standing over 1500 metres high, Mt. Tai is a high level dragon. Instantly the more seasoned students went looking for the 'Heavenly Pool Water' - the spot where Qi from high mountains collect and form a Meridian Spot. But alas, none was to be found. As Joey would later put it, no 'Heavenly Pool Water' means not forming of spots. The Meridian Spot is not up where we were, but lower down.
The what about the crowd of pilgrims we saw before us? That was because Mt. Tai, being a Water Star, governs communication, travel, leisure, and tourism (aside of the typical literary scholars). Why did emperor's come here to pray? Compared with most high level dragons which are Chastity or Broken Soldier Stars, the Literary Arts promotes communication and movement for the emperor and country.
The temple at the West Gates, slightly lower down from Jade Emperor's Peak, faced a Greedy Wolf Table Mountain and thus was doing better. And since we were on the topic, Joey gave us some pointers as to how a holiday resort might be built on this mountain!
The way up and down the mountain was lined with vibrant-coloured Peach Blossoms. As this was the first time for some seeing these flowers for real, the bus driver was kind enough to stop and allow us to take pictures.
After lunch and 5 hours of bus ride later, here I am writing to you from Qing Dao. The seafood here (especially the scallops and squid) are excellent, as well as interntionally known Tsing Tao beer.
Our last stop tomorrow - Mt. Lao, which I hear is over 3000 metres high, and freezing cold.
Signing off,
Sherwin Ng
Reported by Sherwin Ng.
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