Panshan is located at the northernmost tip of Tianjin, administratively part of Jixian County. Situated at the juncture of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, it is renowned both at home and abroad as “the First Mountain of Eastern Jing.”

 

　　I happened to come across a promotional video for Panshan. Hundreds of years ago, the Qianlong Emperor, Hongli, visited the site 32 times and famously penned the elegant line: “Had I known of Panshan’s beauty, why would I have sought the splendors of Jiangnan?” In an instant, this ten‑character quatrain set the people of Jixian County on the path to prosperity—hahaha!

 

　　In late summer and early autumn, the sky is high and the air is crisp—perfect weather for a mountain hike. How could you let such vibrant youth slip away? Climb to the summit, gaze into the distance, and fully savor nature’s gifts: the sunshine, the fresh air—breathe deeply!

 

　　The summit—the destination we gaze at, head tilted in anticipation. In truth, even from afar, it holds an endless beauty. Climbing a mountain is like life itself: one peak after another lies along the path. We must keep moving forward, pressing on with perseverance. Though the climb may be arduous, the warm, tender moments worth cherishing are the very essence of the journey. Before long, the summit gives way to the next goal, and the time we linger there is fleeting—too brief for us to truly hold it in our hearts.

 

 

　　I agonized for a long time over whether to head to Panshan. Online opinions are mixed, but climbing mountains always has its share of commonalities. Though these days we can’t quite raise our cups to the moon and sing as wine‑drunk poets once did, we still cherish our bodies and savor the beauty of life. And let’s face it—just for the sake of Emperor Qianlong’s illustrious name, we ought to take in the sights. This venerable emperor was a master of leisure; any place that caught his eye must surely be extraordinary—and with 32 visits to his credit, the number speaks for itself.

 

　　There are two routes up Pan Mountain: one starts at the main entrance by the ticket office and allows you to hike or take the cable car; the other involves riding an electric shuttle along Pan Mountain Road from the back side, then transferring to the Guayue Cable Car to reach the summit.

 

　

　　Hiking route: Enter through the main gate, pass Sanpan Mumu, Shuxia Gorge, Wansong Temple, Wujiantai, and Nantianmen, then finish at Guayue Peak (approximately 3 hours).

 

　　After years of inactivity, we’d still rely on our youthful bodies to get us through. When people saw us reach the summit, they’d all sigh with envy, saying, “Now that’s what climbing a mountain is all about—taking the cable car? How boring!” Hehe! Though it was exhausting, hearing those words gave me a real sense of accomplishment, and suddenly I felt like I could see all the other peaks below.

 

 

　　I think the real fun of hiking lies in the climb itself. At our young age, full of energy, we might as well skip the cable car. Coming here just to ride the cable car is hardly worth it—might as well watch the promotional video at home!

　　The summit—the destination we gaze at, head tilted in anticipation. In truth, even from afar, it holds an endless beauty. Climbing a mountain is like life itself: one peak after another lies along the path. We must keep moving forward, pressing on with perseverance. Though the climb may be arduous, the warm, tender moments worth cherishing are the very essence of the journey. Before long, the summit gives way to the next goal, and the time we linger there is fleeting—too brief for us to truly hold it in our hearts.

 

 

　　I truly can’t fathom the laborious efforts of our ancestors—on a mountain more than 3,000 meters high, there stands a tower. Just how much hardship must have gone into that! Having faith gives people hope, and only a hopeful life has purpose.

 

　　The air in the mountains is truly wonderful; the breeze rustles through the leaves, a sound that so closely recalls the scene outside my window late at night when I was a child.