Every year, South Wutai Mountain in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China is “endowed” with special wondrous landscape, namely, sea of clouds. 

This year, to enable tourists to more accurately capture this magnificent landscape, Xi’an Municipal Meteorological Department (hereinafter referred to as the Department) and relevant department of South Wutai Mountain tourism site team up to roll out brand-new meteorological index service for sea of clouds, delivering unprecedented viewing experience to tourists.

Sea of Clouds landscape in South Wutai Mountain Credits to scenic area of South Wutai Mountain

Meteorological index service for sea of clouds in South Wutai Mountain is produced by refined analysis and production of meteorological factors of comprehensive meteorological characteristics of sea of clouds such as weather phenomenon, precipitation intensity, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, visibility index and negative air (oxygen) ion index through comprehensive data of national meteorological stations, negative air (oxygen) ion monitoring stations, urban tourism meteorological stations, wind profiler radar, phased array radars, weather phenomena meters and other equipment. 

And it will be disseminated to the public through the article released on the wechat account of “Xi’an meteorology” in the form of text and picture. 

Sketch map of Meteorological index service for sea of clouds in South Wutai Mountain Produced by Xi’an Municipal Meteorological Department and Translated by LIU Shuqiao

Meteorological science and technology empowers the monitoring of the natural wonder

The Department has launched custom-made service for the landscape on the strength of professional meteorological monitoring technology and forecasting team. The service will provide probability forecast of sea of clouds on a real-time basis for the tourists to plan their journeys in advance.

At the same time, combined with natural phenomena such as sunrise and sunset, the meteorological index service will also recommend the best viewing period, in a bid to make the tourists feast their eyes on the gorgeous sea of clouds under the best light.

Sea of Clouds landscape in South Wutai Mountain  Credits to scenic area of South Wutai Mountain

Perfect integration of nature and culture

South Wutai Mountain landscape is renowned for its vastness and unpredictability. In autumn and winter, when the temperature of the lower layer of the atmosphere drops off, the stratocumulus condensation height descends, and the sea of clouds comes along as expected. 

Sea of Clouds landscape in South Wutai Mountain Credits to scenic area of South Wutai Mountain

Standing at the best viewing positions such as Lingying Platform, Qingliang Platform and Wenshu Platform, tourists can overlook the perfect integration of the sea of clouds and mountain scenery and feel the allure of nature. 

Furthermore, in South Wutai Mountain, while appreciating the sea of clouds, tourists can also feast their eyes on the abundant historical and cultural heritage in the scenic spot and feel the tranquility of the soul.

Deep integration of meteorology, and cultural and tourism

This kind of meteorological landscape service products is an innovation initiative symbolic of the perfect combination of meteorological service and cultural and tourism industry, which not only brings tourists a more refined and convenient meteorological service experience, but also greatly ramps up the overall tourism quality at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains in Xi'an.

Sea of Clouds landscape in South Wutai Mountain Credits to scenic area of South Wutai Mountain

Through the deep integration of meteorology and culture and tourism, both sides jointly create a brand new tourist destination rolling natural beauty, cultural experience and scientific exploration for tourists into one.

Looking forward, the Meteorological Department will further join hands with the Culture and Tourism Department of Xi'an to constantly explore the new model and path. Services like tailor-made meteorological tourism routes will be rolled out in the future to bring more diversified tourism experience for the tourists.

South Wutai Mountain Credits to scenic area of South Wutai Mountain

In collaboration with Shaanxi Provincial Meteorological Service, and Xi'an Municipal Meteorological Department as well as culture and tourism departments of Shaanxi and Xi'an

Photos credits to scenic area of South Wutai Mountain

Special thanks to LIU Cong from Xi'an Municipal Meteorological Department and MA Nan from Shaanxi Provincial Meteorological Service

Editor: LIU Shuqiao, ZHANG Qian