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H eavy clouds blanket an aernoon sky high above the river. Stone steps snake through otherworldly-shaped rocks and disappear into the horizon. Similar images have inspired centuries of classi- cal paintings and literature. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), is a series of jagged peaks in east- ern China's Anhui province. With points as high as 3,250 feet, these magnificent mountains were formed almost 100 million years ago. It is here that MAD Ar- chitects' vision of the "Huangshan Mountain Village" is realized in its most elegant form. Further nestled at the southern base of Mount Huangshan, the footprint for the village was poured next to the largest man-made lake in the region, Taiping Lake (also known as Peace Lake). e sce- nic body of water covers nearly 107 square miles and is surrounded by picturesque mountains, diversely shaped peninsulas, and stunning stone surfaces. e 750,000-square-foot development for Huangshan Mountain Village is the first phase of a larger tourism master plan for Taiping Lake, led by MAD founder Ma Yansong. is plan is projected to provide facilities over a 250-acre site at the popular tourist destination. Yansong says that, "e impression we have of Taiping Lake in Huangshan is vague: each visit to this place yields different views, different impressions. It is a bit mysterious, like ancient Shanshui landscape paintings that are never based on realism, but rath- er, the imagination." Given its majestic location and abundant ecosystem, Taiping Lake is where adven- turous tourists oen finds themselves embarking on a life-changing pilgrimage. Huangshan Mountain Village BY LOANNIE DAO LOCATION: HUANGSHAN SHI, CHINA | ARCHITECT: MAD ARCHITECTS PHOTOGRAPHY: HUFTON + CROW V U E N J . C O M 70

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