Tianzhu Shan

Tianzhu Mountain or Mount Tianzhu (Chinese: 天柱山; pinyin: Tiānzhù Shān; lit. 'Heaven pillar mount') is a mountain in Anhui, China. Tianzhu Mountain is also called Mount Wan (Chinese: 皖山; pinyin: Wǎn Shān), from which the provincial abbreviation for Anhui ("Wan") derives. Ancient names of the mountain include Mount Huo 霍山, Mount Heng 衡山 (not to be confused with Mount Heng in Hunan Province), and Taiyue 太岳.

The mountain is located in Qianshan County, Anqing. Tianzhu Mountain has 45 peaks which are collectively 1000 meters above sea level. Its highest point has an elevation of 1,760 meters (5,774 ft). There are two paths to reach the top, either from the east or from the west; many will try the west path first because it is the easier one.

The mountain has natural landscapes such as spectacular peaks and rocks, secluded caves, and canyons.

One of the famous sites is the Mystery Valley (Chinese: 神秘谷; pinyin: Shénmì Gǔ). It is a maze-like valley formed by the rocks falling from the mountain. The valley has 53 caves, which form a very complicated maze.

Subsequently certified as a National Geopark, and then as a regional geopark (Asia Pacific Geopark Network), it was admitted as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2011.