CHENG CUI
The Hidden Lord of the Rings World

Nestled halfway up a mountain in Diebu County, Gansu, Guma Lake (also called "Jade Lake") feels like a scene plucked straight from Middle-earth. Towering craggy peaks pierce through swirling mists, their gray stone faces glowing faintly in sunlight—echoing the rugged grandeur of the Misty Mountains. A weathered driftwood log curves over the lake’s glassy surface, where the forested slopes and misty peaks mirror back like a spellbound reflection. Prayer flags flutter softly in the breeze, adding a touch of ancient magic to this quiet valley. It’s easy to imagine hobbits or elves lingering here, hidden away from the noise of the world—truly a Lord of the Rings realm tucked in the heart of China’s mountains.

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