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A very cool volcanic getaway
July 21, 2010, Wednesday
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Spectacular volcanic formations, waterfalls and a subtropical forest make the Tianmu Canyon Scenic Area a major attraction, the only volcanic crater in east China.
Lava flows undulate from the canyon's summit to the bottom and thousands of boulders, some weighing thousands of tons, are strewn about, as by a giant's hand. A 128-kilometer-long stream rushes down and splashes over rocks, in some places a mountain of waterfalls and cascades, in others a gentle gurgle.
The Tianmu area in Lin'an, Hangzhou, features mountains, lakes, cedars and a subtropical garden of amazing biodiversity. It's known for its bizarre rock formations, caves and grottoes.
Locals call it the "Heavenly Scenery of Rock and Water."
The Tianmu Canyon Scenic Area developed by the local government in 2000 celebrated its 10th anniversary last week with free water activities until the end of August. They include tug-of-war, playing volleyball in volcanic pools and swinging above the water.
The canyon has a place in the Guinness World Records - it has the largest number of huge volcanic rocks in a single canyon: there are more than 5,000 boulders that weigh more than 10 tons.
The tallest is more than 30 meters high and the one with the biggest area can hold more than 100 people.
Around those rocks the water flows continuously from the peak of Tianmu Mountain to the valley floor. It forms shallow pools that are suitable for swimming and numerous cascades, some over very wide stretches.
The waterfalls include the renowned twin waterfalls, five waterfalls pouring into one pool and a nine-section cascade.
The stream rocks are flat and rounded because of polishing by water, while others are jagged and rugged. Both feature endlessly imaginative shapes - swords, chess pieces, frogs, trees and figures.
During the Jurassic Period, around 200 million years ago, a volcano erupted and created Tianmu Mountain. During the Ice Age, the Earth shook and huge, grotesque volcanic features were created.
Besides rocks and water, the area is famous for its subtropical vegetation and dense tree cover, notably cedars.
Given its forests, the huge amount of flowing water and elevation 500 meters above sea level, the air temperature is usually 6 to 12 degrees Celsius lower than surrounding areas. This makes the canyon a good place to get away and stay cool in summer.
A couple of months ago, the scenic spot built a 1,400-meter-long covered wooden corridor, with upturned eaves, taking visitors around the area.
The area also features small barbecue restaurants and tea houses scattered along the corridor. Visitors can reach out to pools of pure water at waist-level and wash their hands and face in the hot weather.
The canyon is now applying for two new world records: the world's longest stream along the volcanic rocks, and the world's longest wooden corridor.
If accepted, Tianmu Canyon would be the only scenic spot in China boasting three world records.
Lava flows undulate from the canyon's summit to the bottom and thousands of boulders, some weighing thousands of tons, are strewn about, as by a giant's hand. A 128-kilometer-long stream rushes down and splashes over rocks, in some places a mountain of waterfalls and cascades, in others a gentle gurgle.
The Tianmu area in Lin'an, Hangzhou, features mountains, lakes, cedars and a subtropical garden of amazing biodiversity. It's known for its bizarre rock formations, caves and grottoes.
Locals call it the "Heavenly Scenery of Rock and Water."
The Tianmu Canyon Scenic Area developed by the local government in 2000 celebrated its 10th anniversary last week with free water activities until the end of August. They include tug-of-war, playing volleyball in volcanic pools and swinging above the water.
The canyon has a place in the Guinness World Records - it has the largest number of huge volcanic rocks in a single canyon: there are more than 5,000 boulders that weigh more than 10 tons.
The tallest is more than 30 meters high and the one with the biggest area can hold more than 100 people.
Around those rocks the water flows continuously from the peak of Tianmu Mountain to the valley floor. It forms shallow pools that are suitable for swimming and numerous cascades, some over very wide stretches.
The waterfalls include the renowned twin waterfalls, five waterfalls pouring into one pool and a nine-section cascade.
The stream rocks are flat and rounded because of polishing by water, while others are jagged and rugged. Both feature endlessly imaginative shapes - swords, chess pieces, frogs, trees and figures.
During the Jurassic Period, around 200 million years ago, a volcano erupted and created Tianmu Mountain. During the Ice Age, the Earth shook and huge, grotesque volcanic features were created.
Besides rocks and water, the area is famous for its subtropical vegetation and dense tree cover, notably cedars.
Given its forests, the huge amount of flowing water and elevation 500 meters above sea level, the air temperature is usually 6 to 12 degrees Celsius lower than surrounding areas. This makes the canyon a good place to get away and stay cool in summer.
A couple of months ago, the scenic spot built a 1,400-meter-long covered wooden corridor, with upturned eaves, taking visitors around the area.
The area also features small barbecue restaurants and tea houses scattered along the corridor. Visitors can reach out to pools of pure water at waist-level and wash their hands and face in the hot weather.
The canyon is now applying for two new world records: the world's longest stream along the volcanic rocks, and the world's longest wooden corridor.
If accepted, Tianmu Canyon would be the only scenic spot in China boasting three world records.
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