Visitors climb Huangshan Mountain in east China's Anhui Province in April (XINHUA)

Watching the recent Oscar award-winning movie Everest , my mind drifted back to the several volcano mountain climbs I experienced in Central America. It was impossible not to compare those forays to three friendly mountain challenges in China: Changbai Mountain, Huangshan Mountain and Taishan Mountain.

Watching the excruciating, yet exciting drama surrounding the icy mountain climb of Mount Everest, known as Mount Qomolangma in China, had me rooting for the survivors. Weather conditions dictate that wise climbers employ and listen to experienced guides, or at least have proper climbing gear and group support. Slipping over tree roots and sliding down loose gravel into ravines are just a few mishaps likely to occur in undeveloped areas. Fortunately, this does not apply to popular tourist spots in China.

You may find it comforting that in China, most famous mountains are equipped with cable cars, mountain trams and strategically placed wide stairways. This, indeed, is a luxury for tourists at various fitness levels. For less than 20 yuan ($3.1), I even purchased two walking sticks at the base of Taishan. A few minutes into the upward trek, I was very happy to have these handy "helpers," even though I huffed like a 50-year-old chain smoker. But at least I never threw myself on the ground gasping like a fish, flopping in futility for water during any of my mainland mountain excursions.

"Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, 'till you find your dreams!"

Most people are familiar with these lyrics from The Sound of Music musical . I confess to not hearing sweet music in my ears as I struggled up the steps toward the peak of Beijing's Fragrant Hills. Instead of ringing melodies, I heard my heart throbbing like a bass drum about to explode. My blood wildly raced through my veins like huge firewater hoses. I did hear the feet of the more agile pedestrians trudging happily past me. I didn't dare to look up to see the faces of their owners. I was far too embarrassed, a lone foreigner among many clearly physically "fit" Chinese. I could only wish they had seen me years ago in my prime. But I was far too exhausted to even fake a sudden burst of energetic muscle power.

China has several well reputed sacred mountains. Taishan, located in east China's Shandong Province, is at an elevation of 1,545 meters. This mountain, topping the list of China's five most famous mountains, is located close to Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. Huangshan, known as the Yellow Mountain with the highest elevation point being 1,864 meters, is a major attraction for painters, photographers and tea enthusiasts. Sunrises and sunsets are indeed quite compelling.

In Switzerland, the Matterhorn, referred to as "the mountain of mountains," has a reputation for being the "deadliest peak" on the western face of the Swiss Alps. On average, the circulatory route takes about 10 days to complete.

China's mountains may require physical exertion, but most of them are smaller and safer. Severe thirst may be the worst of any unlikely suffering. Fiercely changing weather, airsickness, wicked blowing winds and snow avalanches are not likely to factor into your climbing experiences on the mainland. But, I honestly cannot say I easily waltzed up and down my three hiking adventures in China. On average, complete trekking time was two to three hours or less getting up and down Changbai, Huangshan and Taishan; yet they were still physically demanding.

A future goal, or dream, is to take a non-embracing look at Mount Fuji in Japan while circling its peak peering down from inside a helicopter. While in Beijing, I will probably make a second attempt at reaching the Fragrant Hills summit. I only made it halfway up the first time.

When climbing China's mountains, one is most likely to return home with several new friendly acquaintances, and without bleeding knees or scars. A traditional Chinese saying goes, "After you see the five famous mountains in China, you do not want to see other mountains. But after seeing Huangshan, you will be unwilling to see the five mountains anymore." I say you owe it to yourself to see if this vision was correct. Why not?

The author is an American living in Beijing 

Copyedited by Jordyn Dahl

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