Closed for five years, Lotus Peak in east China's Anhui Province will reopen on March 20, announced local officials. 

At 1,864 meters above sea level, Lotus Peak is the highest peak in the Yellow Mountain Scenic Area.

With smaller peaks clustered around a large protruding area, the peak is named for its resemblance to a lotus blossom.

The mountain's tourist spots have been closed several times for environmental protection efforts. 

This practice was initiated by Huangshan in 1987 and was later adopted by other mountain scenic spots as well. Tiandu Peak on Yellow Mountain will be closed to tourists the same day as Lotus Peak's reopens.

Yellow Mountain, also known as Huangshan, is a UNESCO World Heritage site covering an area of 1,200 square kilometers and famous for its oddly-shaped rocks, the sea of clouds wrapping its peaks, pines, and hot springs.

Yellow Mountain has received an average of nearly three million visitors a year.

Tips:

Ticket price for the Yellow Mountain scenic area covers all the open spots. Staff at the gate will give you a certificate that allows you to come back within three days.

Huangshan City's airport and train station have direct connections to and from big cities such as Shanghai and main provincial seats. There's a direct shuttle bus at the train station that takes you there, from 5:30 to 17:30, every 30 minutes. Shuttle fare is 20 yuan per person. 

(With inputs from Xinhua News Agency)

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