Batai Mountain Scenic Area (bā tái shān fēng jǐng qū 八台山风景区) is located at south Batai Town (bā tái zhèn 八台镇) in Wanyuan City (wàn yuán shì 万源市) of Sichuan Province (sì chuān shěng 四川省). The terrain of the mountain is descending with eight steps, hence the name of Batai. The scenic area is one of the most attractive sites in Sichuan.

Batai Mountain is majesty and lofty, with deep river valleys around it. The drop height between the peak and the valley is 1500 to 1700 meters. On the back of the mountain, there are 36 limestone peaks called Chessboard Hills for they are like the chessmen. It is unique in Sichuan.

The main peak of Baitai Mountain is called New Batai (xīn bā tái 新八台), which is 2348 meters high. It is the second highest peak in eastern Sichuan. Besides, there are the Duxiu Peak (dú xiù fēng 独秀峰) and Wunv Peak (wǔ nǚ fēng 五女峰). All the peaks are standing there erectly, with mist wreathed. The east part of the Batai Mountain is a steep precipice. By estimate, the cliff is 1300 to 1500 meters high, which is 2 or 3 times higher than the Sheshen Cliff (shě shēn yá 舍身崖) in Emei Mountain (é méi shān 峨眉山). It is regarded as the No. 1 Cliff in Sichuan.

On the mountain slope that is 1500 meters above the sea level, there are the woods of sea-buckthorn all over. In autumn and winter, the fruits of the sea-buckthorn make the mountain red. While on the slope that is 1800 meters above the sea level, there is a totally different scene. The bamboo forests are green all the year round. The forest covers an area of more than 40 thousand mu, which is the largest bamboo forest in Sichuan. When the winds blow, the bamboos are weaving. On the east part of the slope, there are the woods of azalea, covering an area of more than 100 mu. In early summer, the azaleas are in full bloom. The pink flowers and the green bamboos make the mountain more charming.

Baitai Mountain is also regarded as the Emei Mountain in Eastern Sichuan (chuān dōng é méi 川东峨眉). Before dawn, when you climb up the mountain top, you will see the great scene of the daybreak. The first light of morning drives the black away, and you will find that you are floating in the cloud sea. The sunglow makes the cloud golden. In the afternoon, when the sun falls to the west, you will see some round colored halos flying towards you. The halo is called the Light of Buddha (fó guāng 佛光).

Batai Mountain Scenic Area
Location: 28 kilometers away from Wanyuan City
Admission fee: CNY 5
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Transportation: you can take bus near the Wanyuan Railway Station to Batai Town, and then hire a car or take walking to get there