Getting to the top

Tourists who want to ascend to the peak of Fanjing Mountain in Guizhou province need to be strong both physically and mentally, but the spectacular view with two Buddhist temples sitting atop makes the trip worthwhile.

The path then becomes so narrow and steep that it only allows one person to move.

I had to overcome my fear to continue ascending. The final few steps are a bit of an anticlimax. And then there you are: a whole world of forests, clouds and more peaks on the horizon.

Amazingly, two Buddhist temples sit atop the peak, which also partly explains why the mountain is a holy place for Buddhists.

You cannot help but wonder how anyone managed to build a temple there.

The guide told me the experience is heightened by constantly changing weather, including seasonal and daily variations.

The mountain, already a National Nature Reserve of China, has also been nominated as a World Natural Heritage Site, and local authorities are making efforts to improve the facilities in the area.

The mountain offers different views during different seasons, but you might want to avoid the national holidays as the scenic area will be crowded. Think twice before you bring your young children atop the peaks.

Yang Jun contributed to the story.