Sunrise and snow on the Golden Summit

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2013-01-11

The Wudang Mountains, a famous Taoist mountain range, was covered in snow on Jan 1, 2013. There were many people waiting to see the sunrise on the top of Tianzhu Peak.

The Wudang Mountains are "the first famous mountains under heaven". The ancient Taoist building complex along the mountains were transformed into palaces of white jade blanketed in snow. The first sunlight of 2013 created a fantastic wonderland.

The best place to admire the sunrise was atop Golden Summit on Heavenly Pillar Peak. Many people waited for the sunrise at Golden Summit, shrouded by a rosy dawn and snow.

The Golden Summit was surrounded by an endless abyss. The clouds formed as thick as the sea, reddened by the sun's glittering rays. Slowly, the far-off red sun grew round and golden yellow. The glaring sunshine covered the entire mountainside once the sun rose out of the clouds.

The largest gilded copper hall in China is located in the palace atop the Golden Summit. The first rays of sunshine in 2013 struck the snow-covered copper hall in such a dazzling fashion that many felt it was "God manifesting in front of us". At that time, many entered into the hall to pray and ask for blessings in the coming year.

Sunrise and snow on the Golden Summit