Songfeng Mountain Nature Reserve

Songfeng Mountain Nature Reserve

Located 65 kilometers southeast of Harbin, Songfeng Mountain spans an area of 15.8 square kilometers. With its perilous peaks, uniquely shaped rocks, mysterious caves, and exquisite waters, Songfeng Mountain is renowned as a "heavenly paradise on earth." It boasts a pristine ecological environment, stunning natural scenery, rich local folk culture, a profound history of Taoist heritage, and an authentic rural charm.

Known historically as the "Twin Peaks" or "Golden Source Twin Peaks," Songfeng Mountain is the earliest Taoist site in Northeast China. With its perilous peaks, uniquely shaped rocks, mysterious caves, and exquisite waters, Songfeng Mountain is renowned as a "heavenly paradise on earth." It boasts a pristine ecological environment, stunning natural scenery, rich local folk culture, a profound history of Taoist heritage, and an authentic rural charm. It is an ideal destination for weekend family road trips or leisure holidays. Songfeng Mountain was once a summer retreat and hunting ground for the royal family of the Jin Dynasty, and still preserves relics such as the Taoist Monk Cao Stele, the Star Worshiping Platform, the carved stone Go board, and the Golden Source Tai Xu Ancient Cave. Since the Qing Dynasty, it has been hailed as the foremost wonder among the Eight Great Mountains of the Northeast.

Songfeng Mountain stands at an elevation of 627 meters and consists of the main peak, Yancong Peak, along with other peaks of varying shapes such as 0 Peak, Lion’s Mouth Peak, Chessboard Peak, and Stone Scenery Peak. The five peaks on the northern mountain stand together, with bizarre rocks dotting the landscape in charming arrangements. The mountain is covered with lush forests and grasslands, and the summit features numerous prominent ring-shaped peaks. Beneath the picturesque Stone Scenery Peak, there remain the ruins of two ancient Taoist temples built during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty: Haiyun Temple and the Scripture Depository. Other historical sites include the Star Worshiping Platform, mountain spring wells, Stone Treasures, an old Taoist temple, and a Go board where Taoists once played. There are also natural caves halfway up the mountain, with inscriptions such as “Songfeng Mountain Tai Xu Cave” and several stone stelae.

Songfeng Mountain gets its name from the verdant ancient pines that cover its peaks. In addition to Yancong Peak, the main peaks include 0 Peak, Lion’s Mouth Peak, Chessboard Peak, Stone Scenery Peak, Tianjing Peak, and North Peak. The mountain ridges are layered and dense with pine forests, creating a tranquil and serene environment. It was a famous Taoist sacred site during both the Jin and Qing dynasties. Existing relics from these periods include the Tai Xu Cave, Taoist Monk Cao Stele, Haiyun Temple, the Go board, the Star Worshiping Platform, Tianjing, stone chambers, the Yellow Scripture Altar, and Taoist graves.

Beneath Shijing Peak, the ruins of two structures remain: Haiyun Temple and the Scripture Depository, both built during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty. They were reconstructed on the site of Jin Dynasty Taoist ruins at Songfeng Mountain. Climbing the stone steps from the northwest side of Haiyun Temple leads to the Star Worshiping Platform, built in the late Qing Dynasty. The platform still has preserved stone tables and benches—places where Taoists once worshipped the stars.

In 1984, the provincial government approved the establishment of the Songfeng Mountain Nature Reserve, covering an area of 1,465 hectares, with the protection focus on natural forests, historical sites, and natural landscapes. In 1987, the provincial government further designated the Taoist ruins of Songfeng Mountain as a provincial-level cultural heritage site. The area features granite landforms with numerous uniquely shaped peaks, named according to their appearances. The main peak, Yancong Lazi, is steep and precipitous.