The Lake of Heaven
Climbing steeply up through a series of hairpin bends the scenery increasingly
became dramatic. Jagged, ice-covered mountain peaks rose above the dark green of
native pine forests.
Passing the small Western Heaven Lake the bus finally reached a parking area.
I continued on foot through the forest until the trees parted to reveal a
breathtaking view. Stretching before me was the lake and in the distance,
shimmering in the clear blue sky rose the Mountain of God(Bogda Feng).
Wanting to enjoy the scene I decided to have an early lunch at an open-air
restaurant. It was so relaxing. Sitting there in the sunshine I enjoyed a large
plate of spicy fried noodles while cows and horses grazed close by. Boats
carried tourists across the lake's calm blue waters. I kept thinking that I had
finally made it to one of the most attractive places in China. My dream had come
true.
Waterfalls in the forest
A path led along the shore to a narrow forested valley that carried a river
flowing out from the lake, the same river I had seen from the bus. Starting as a
gentle stream the water suddenly crashed over a series of steep slopes. Passing
a pavilion sitting on a rocky cliff it flowed into a small circular lake whose
calm waters reflected the mountain peaks above. Apart from the sound of birds
singing there was another noise, a distant roar. At the north end of this
peaceful lake a waterfall plunged about a hundred metres straight down a
vertical cliff.
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