Laojun Mountain Travelogue: Rain Clears, Mountains Green, Warmth and Respect Blend
Yesterday, Laojun Mountain was still shrouded in drizzle. The river rushed like a river, and Parking Lot 10 overflowed into a makeshift waterfall. However, I stumbled upon the most touching scene: an elderly man steadily carrying his elderly grandmother through the puddles. The coolness of the rain instantly filled my heart with warmth.
Perhaps the weather favored this celestial mountain, as the weather cleared up today. We rushed early to catch the first-level cable car, where the line was already snaking. As planned, we purchased first-level round-trip tickets and second-level ascending tickets, eagerly anticipating the elevator ride to the Golden Summit. However, we learned the elevator had been out of service for maintenance since March, so we had no choice but to accept this unexpected hike.
Thankfully, the scenic area was considerate, providing a buffer between steep steps with flat, circular paths, giving us, despite our limited energy, some respite. Even more moving is the cleanliness of the area—along the Ten-Mile Gallery, trash cans are available every few steps, eliminating the need to bend down. The slogan on the guardrail, "You throw away, I pick up with my life," is heartbreaking. Witnessing two staff members, alternating between crouching and squatting, wielding long tools to meticulously retrieve a mineral water bottle from the edge of a steep cliff, I realized the pristine quality of this 5A scenic spot wasn't achieved out of thin air.
This Taoist sacred site, the only one to receive the imperial designation of "Famous Mountain Under Heaven," boasts both the ethereal beauty of a golden temple shrouded in mist and the warmth and perseverance of ordinary people. Such a magnificent scene deserves the collective protection of every foot that steps upon it and every gaze that gazes upon it!