MOUNT HUASHAN

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... , 120 kilometres east to Xi'an, Shaanxi province, with an altitude of 2200 meters with 3,999 steps. It connects Qinling Mountains in the south and overlooks the Yellow River and Weishui River to the north, guarding the path which connects the vast north western region with the Central Plains. Five major peaks stand towering in the south, north, east,

west, and middle respectively that seen from afar, they look like five petals of a lotus flower; hence its name, Mount Huashan (meaning Mount of Flowers in ancient times).
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It is formed by gigantic

granite rocks, weathered by time, the mountain body looks just like a vast square column towering toward sky. Its awe-inspiring precipices entails it the fame that there is only one way to climb up to the summit. Climbing the mountains starts from Yuquan (Jade Spring) Temple, up with a murmuring and limpid stream, through Wuli Pass, Stone Gate, Saluo Ground, Maonv (Hairy Girl) Cave, and Cloud Gate to Qingke Ground. The journey from Qingke Ground to the Wuyun Peak, the north peak of the five peaks in Mount Huashan, is the most dangerous and strenuous one in climbing. Up to Huixin (Mind Changing) Rock one may find a crevice leading upward to the summit and people have no other choice but to ascend the mountain path which looks like the hanging ladder dropped from a helicopter. Those people with less courage may flinch back at this sight. Thats why it is called Mind Changing Rock. Natural beauty of steep cliffs, rugged rocks, waving clouds, tingling springs, and flying cascades and historic sites has attracted tourists and explorers from home and abroad.
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.. If you add

the ancient mountain path, there are three tour touts for the Two-Day Mount Huashan Tour. The precipitous Mount Huashan is not only famous for its natural magnificence, but also renowned for cultural and historic importance.
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Thousands

of poems, inscriptions, and travel notes as well as rock carvings were devoted to this gorgeous mountain. The combination of cultural interests and natural beauties in Mount Huashan make it a fascinating attraction tourists cannot miss.
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D. READING 1 Missing sentences

Each of sentences a-d fits into a gap in the article. Decide where each sentence fits best.
a) Now there are two other means to tour Mount Huashan: a cableway and Huangfuyu Tourist Highway b) As one of the five sacred mountains in China, Mount Huashan is located in the south of Huayin city c) Great poets and scholars of dynasties like Li Bai, Du Fu and Gu Yanwu left their footsteps and stories here. d) Mount Huashan is famous for its breath-taking cliffs since the ancient times.

2 Understanding the text

Answer these questions for the article you have read, and then tell your partner the answers.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What makes mount Houshan inspiring? Why people name Huixin rock as Mind Changing? Which peak is the most dangerous? What makes mount Houshan important for cultural and historical heritage? How can tourists go to mount Huashan?

E. VOCABULARY
Match the highlighted words in the text with their meanings.
1. () to make a sudden movement with your face or body as a result of pain, fear, surprise, etc. 2. (...) impressive; making you feel respect and admiration 3. () (Of the landscape) not level or smooth and having rocks rather than plants or trees 4. () a small waterfall, especially one of several falling down a steep slope with rocks 5. () a narrow crack in a rock or wall 6. () to change, or make sth change, colour or shape because of the effect of the sun, rain or wind 7. () in the same order as the people or things already mentioned 8. () very steep, high and often dangerous 9. () words written in the front of a book or cut in stone or metal 10. () needing great effort and energy
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