Last week the English teaching and research group of our school made a trip to Jianglang Mountain. It is one of the fine traditions that we teachers in the same teaching group can choose a destination and travel together. Of course, it has to be done in the name of teaching and research.

First of all, we went to Longyou Senior High school and had a meeting with our counterparts, then visited Longyou Grottoes, which is referred to by some as the ninth wonder of the world. After that we went south further to Quzhou and visited the famous scenic spot of Jianglang Mountain.

It is a long journey, but we didn’t feel dull or tired on the way. Actually it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable parts of the trip. At first, we just talked casually. It is kind of rare that we English teachers have such an occasion to be together in a relaxing atmosphere. Suddenly someone suggested that we each take turns to give a performance. It was greeted with loud cheers and applause.

Tony was the first one and his song the Rhythm of the Rain won the hearts of everyone in the bus. Then John did an imitation show. Once again we seemed to hear the voices of former Chinese leaders: Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. They sounded so real, so vivid that many of us laughed to tears. A new mom sang a lullaby, which was very charming. A young lady who graduated from college not long ago spoke some French, a beautiful language, though I didn’t know what she was saying. Johnson, the oldest of our group, played a patter, a traditional Chinese folk art. Clare sang some Shaoxing Opera. And David sang a pop song, whose name I just can’t recall… I have very little artistic talent, so I just sang a children’s song: Row Your Boat. It is not exaggerated that we sang and laughed all the way to Longyou.

Frankly I knew very little about Jianglang Mountain before we got there. Jianglang Mountain, located in Jiangshan City at the junction of Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi provinces, is one of the national key scenic spots. Famous for its Danxia landform, Jianglang Mountain was included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2010.

When the bus arrived, in front of us were 3 huge high rocks rising from the ground like bamboo shoots, which seemed impossible to climb onto them. It is said that 3 brothers of Jiang family, who fell in love with fairies, climbed up to the mountain top to look for them, and somehow they turned into three rock peaks. Almost every famous view is associated with beautiful legends.

Between the three rock peaks, there’re lanes, big and small, for coming in and going out. The one we went through is called the greatest thin strip of sky(一线天) in China. We were told that there used to be no road leading to the tops, but now over 3500 stone stairs have been chiseled out, windingly extending up to the summit. However, the guide warned us again and again that it is dangerous to go up even with the steps and handrails. Despite that, 8 of us, me included, decided to go on the adventure. Once on the way up, the mere sight downwards would give you the jumps. At many points we had to move on all fours! However, the views were just breathtaking and beyond words. We all marveled at the uncanny workmanship of nature. What we saw on top made it all worthwhile.