Ｗａｎｆｅｎｇｌｉｎ：Ｆｏｒｅｓｔ　ｏｆ　Ｐｅａｋｓ.docVIP

Ｗａｎｆｅｎｇｌｉｎ：Ｆｏｒｅｓｔ　ｏｆ　Ｐｅａｋｓ 　　 　　AFTER an unusually bleak winter, spring has returned to Wanfenglin ?C literally the “forest of ten thousand peaks.” The area is famous for its picturesque natural scenery and the unique cultural practices of the Bouyei and Miao ethnic groups. In recent years it’s also been one of China’s pilot “folklore tourism” development sites. 　　 　　Nature’s Blessing 　　 　　Upon entering Xiawutun, Wanfenglin’s main scenic spot, visitors are confronted by countless mountain peaks standing against the sky, dotted with a sprinkling of cottages. Smoke curls up from chimneys against the hilly backdrop, creating a truly idyllic picture. Rivers, lakes and limestone caves can be found everywhere. Wild flowers and grasses add color to the magnificent scene. 　　The “forest” of peaks covers a long strip varying in width from 30 to 50 kilometers, over a length of around 200 kilometers. The rugged terrain goes from Qipeng Plateau, some 2,000 meters above sea level, to a lake with an elevation of just 700 meters. The area is bordered by the Wumeng Mountains to the north and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the south. 　　Every peak in the forest is a unique shape. There’s a series around a small basin in Xiawutun, for example, named for their resemblance to creatures and human figures. They include General Peak, Eagle Cliff, Gatekeeper Peak and Fairy Peak. Stretching for some 20 kilometers, this group provides a natural screen for the village and surrounding farmlands. The sight of these peaks has long left a deep impression on visitors. Xu Xiake, great geographer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), visited the area twice and exclaimed in his diary: “Such grandeur! Mountains for thousands of li, rarely seen in other places.” 　　The main scenic spots around Xiawutun are Xifenglin (West Forest of Peaks), Dongfenglin (East Forest of Peaks), and Beifenglin (North Forest of Peaks). The landscape takes on a different appearance depending on the weather ?C locals us