Route 1: One day field trip on the Dabie HP-UHP metamorphic belt（The Mu Lan Mountain）

The Dabie Mountain locates in the middle of the central China orogenic belt. This belt marks the suture zone between the North China Block and the South China Block in central China, forming one of the most important collisional orogens in eastern Asia. This belt is characterized by the occurrence of Triassic high-pressure blueschist-facies to ultrahigh-pressure eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks due to the Triassic continental deep subduction in east-central China. It is not only an important target to decipher the tectonic evolution of China and eastern Asia, but also an ideal location to study the formation of ancient continental margins and orogenic processes between collided continents.

This route includes the National Geopark of Mulan Mountain, about 70 km north to Wuhan, where low-temperature and high-pressure blueschist exposes. Mulan Mountain geological park is named after Hua Mulan, which is located in Huangpi district, the hometown of Hua Mulan. The Mulan Mountain is also famous for Taoism with temples on the way to the top of the mountain.

Mu Lan Mountain

Inspection route:
● After breakfast, take a car to Mulan Mountain Scenic Area (90 minutes drive). Mulan Mountain Scenic Area is bordered by Mulan Lake to the east, Mulan River to the south, Qinshui River to the west, and Dabie Mountains to the north. It is a national geological park, provincial-level scenic spot, and a nature reserve community in Hubei Province. Known as the backyard of Wuhan, it is the leader of the Mulan Ecotourism Area and praised by the Ming Dynasty poet Tu Da as the "most beautiful Western Mausoleum, covering the three poles of Chu".
● Visit Yitianmen, Leizu Hall, Lecture Hall, Nantianmen, Mulan Village, Ertianmen, Mulan General's Mansion, Mulan Hall, Doumu Palace, Bao'en Hall, Emperor's Palace, Sanqing Hall, Sanmen Gate, Golden Hall, Jade Emperor Pavilion, etc. The Mulan Hall, built on the foundation of the original Mulan Temple, houses three statues of General Mulan. On the front, General Mulan is dressed in official robes and holding a precious sword. On the left, General Mulan is dressed in military attire and holding a camel in his hand. On the right, there is a portrait of General Mulan in women's clothing after retiring from military service. The three statues are lifelike, quietly enjoying the incense of the worshippers, and complementing the magnificent Mulan General's Mansion outside the hall, highlighting the infinite admiration of later generations for Mulan General.
● After lunch, we can also visit the Mulan Mountain National Geopark. As we stroll through the Stone View Park, we are greeted by a variety of natural stone landscapes, such as lion roars, tiger roars, dragons soaring, and phoenixes dancing, squatting and squatting in various shapes and layers, which make us marvel at the amazing craftsmanship of nature and create such magnificent peaks and stunning natural scenery of Mulan Mountain.
● Finally, take the bus back to the hotel.

The estimated cost is 350 RMB (approximately 48 USD), including possible admission fees and the cost of taking the bus.