The steady snowfall had coated the slopes of Xiannu Mountain for two days in early April. The stately summit towers not far from Wulong County, a mountain locale lying 4 hours away by bus from the sprawling hub of Chongqing.

 

The Xiannu Mountain National Forest Park runs along the northern bank of Wujiang River, some 30 km from Wulong County. Its snow-capped peaks, varying between 1,800 and 2,000 meters in height, contain many breathtaking views of extraordinary natural charm where visitors may feast their eyes on the contrast between rugged terrain and pleasant meadows.

 

Despite the unusual warmth, with the temperature topping 30 degrees Celsius in Chongqing at the end of March, the presence of late snowfalls has plunged the trees, villages and surrounding into a magical silvery world.

 

 (All photos by Li Xiao)

 

(China.org.cn by Li Xiao, April 9, 2007)