Travelogue of China's Taihang Mountain and Yuntai Mountain — "Walking Above the Clouds"

There are moments when the world falls silent. I found such moments at Taihang Mountain and Yuntai Mountain. Located in northern Henan Province, China, I was drawn to these places as if carried by the wind, amidst unfamiliar names. This journey, which began with a single photograph, ultimately reshaped the landscape of my heart. ⸻ ⛰ Taihang Mountain — A Path Etched on Cliffs Taihang Mountain resembled a grand ink painting sculpted by nature itself. The road precariously carved along the red cliffs felt like the humblest trace humans could leave behind. Through the car window, I saw sheer vertical cliffs, mist-covered mountain ranges, and a sky untainted by smog. It was as if the world was breathing slowly. Walking along that path, I felt, for the first time, that I was standing before something far greater than myself. A simple yet profound emotion swept through me like the wind. ⸻ ☁ Yuntai Mountain — Time Paused Above the Clouds Yuntai Mountain. True to its name, this is a place where clouds linger momentarily. In the early morning, a light mist embraced the valleys, and sunlight painted the mountain ridges as if with a divine brush. With each step I took, I couldn't tell whether I was walking on the ground or in the sky. The sound of waterfalls cleansed my mind, and the murmuring streams made me feel as if I were becoming more transparent. It was a landscape that invited silent contemplation, a place where simply gazing brought profound solace. ⸻ 🍵 Warm Encounters with the Unfamiliar A cup of jasmine tea in a small teahouse, an apricot offered by a vendor in the mountains, the quiet smile of an elderly man. This journey taught me, for the first time, that even without words, hearts can connect. ⸻ 🧭 The Scenery Left Within Me on the Way Back Taihang Mountain and Yuntai Mountain were not just beautiful destinations. They gave me a reason to pause. Amid the fast flow of time, the scenery whispered softly: "It's okay to walk slowly, very slowly." ⸻ ✍️ In Conclusion To realize that there is so much beauty in the world I have yet to know. And that this beauty is not far away, but simply requires the courage to open one's heart and look. Taihang Mountain and Yuntai Mountain were like quiet teachers, gently imparting this lesson.