As an old Chinese saying goes: "a tour of the Five Great Mountains leaves other mountains unremarkable ; a trip to Huangshan makes the Five Great Mountains pale in comparison."
For centuries, Huangshan has captivated visitors with its granite peaks, ancient pines, and seas of clouds. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountain draws travelers from around the world to one of China's most iconic landscapes.
But what does a mayor notice when standing atop Huangshan?
During the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Huangshan, I joined mayors from around the world on a climb up the iconic mountain. While most visitors focus on the scenery, city leaders often look beyond the view to management, accessibility, sustainability, and the challenge of balancing preservation with development.
Among them was Filippo Gasperi, mayor of Gradara, Italy. As we made our way up the mountain, Gasperi said that even while enjoying the view, part of his attention remained on the practical realities behind the visitor experience.
"As a mayor, I have to think about management," he said, "the employees, the infrastructure, the costs, and the difficulties of managing such a beautiful place with so many visitors."
His comments offered a glimpse into how local leaders experience destinations differently. Behind every well-maintained scenic site is a complex system of planning, staffing, and investment.
That perspective extended to Huangshan's exoskeleton-assisted climbing equipment. While many visitors might see it as a technological novelty, Gasperi immediately thought about how it could benefit people with mobility challenges.
"It could be more useful for impaired people, for people who have difficulties in moving or walking," he said. For him, technology was not just about convenience, but about inclusion.
Yet Huangshan's natural beauty and environmental stewardship left the deepest impression. Standing among the mountain's dramatic peaks and lush forests, Gasperi praised not only the landscape itself but also the efforts made to preserve it.
"You have such a beautiful landscape, beautiful nature, and a beautiful environment," he said. "It is astonishing how you are able to preserve this." He added that one of the most important lessons he would take home was the importance of protecting natural landscapes and ecosystems, saying this was "fundamental for our future as well."
Huangshan's towering peaks may inspire awe, but its careful balance of tourism, accessibility, and environmental protection offers lessons that extend far beyond the mountain itself.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Video & Poster: Li Fangwang
Photo: Li Fangwang
