Tongshan Scenic Area

Tongshan Scenic Area

Tongshan Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Tongshan Scenic Area consists of three parts: Tongshan Mountain, Tongshan Lake, and Yunwu Peak, covering a total area of 74 square kilometers with an elevation of 681 meters. The entire scenic area brings together the essence of mountain ranges, lakes, islands, pools and waterfalls, caves, temples, revolutionary sites, myths, legends, and historical stories. It integrates "grandeur, peril, wonder, and beauty," blending natural landscapes with cultural heritage. The complete scenic system is formed by "one mountain, one lake, one temple, and one sacred site."

Tongshan, originally named Dafu Mountain, got its name from Deng Tong, a famous general of the Han Dynasty, who minted coins here. Renowned as "as perilous as Mount Hua and as beautiful as Mount Huang," it earned the nickname "Little Wudang." The saying "Pay homage to the Golden Summit in the south (Wudang, Hubei), and visit Tong Peak in the north" has been passed down through the ages.

Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, monks and Taoists have come to Tongshan to cultivate themselves and promote Buddhist and Taoist teachings, forming a rich religious and historical culture. Attractions such as "One Sky Bridge," "Two Ancient Temples," "Three Temples," "Four Heavenly Gates," "Five Major Stone Cliffs," "Six Large Caves," "Seven Major Temples," "Eight Major Sights," "Nine Unique Rocks," and "Ten Famous Peaks" are overwhelming in their beauty. On the mountain, clouds shroud the cliffs that tower majestically; at the foot, deep valleys and dense forests thrive. The surrounding peaks feature oddly shaped rocks resembling eighty animals, including monkeys, bears, snakes, and eagles—truly marvels of nature. Mountain springs, waterfalls, red leaves, peculiar rocks, rivers, lakes, and temples complement each other, creating a heavenly scene on earth. Historically, the traditional temple fair held on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month attracted hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from western Anhui, northern Hubei, and southern Henan. The grand trade fairs were unprecedented.

At the foot of Tongshan lies Nangong Temple. Passing through the mountain gate and a bamboo path, you arrive at the millennia-old Buddhist and Taoist sacred site—Dripping Water Cliff. On the south side of the temple is a stone cave where water drips year-round. The spring water is sweet and refreshing, invigorating the spirit. To the west is the Immortal Cave, said to be where the Patriarch cultivated immortality. The temple combines Buddhism and Taoism, attracting worshippers all year round. From Dripping Water Cliff, visitors ascend steps past "Heroes' Slope," "Repentance Cliff," "Jiao Ge Lao Stele," "Hundred-Zhang Cliff," "One-Line Sky," "Tongshan Cloud Ladder," "Enlightenment Stone," and "Sky Bridge," crossing four heavenly gates to reach the summit. Standing atop Tong Peak, one overlooks a sea of lush mountains, blooming flowers, undulating ridges like dancing dragons, and crisscrossing rivers like fluttering ribbons. Over 100 famous scenic spots come into view, along with a vast sea of clouds, rivers and lakes in one line, water and sky merging into one, creating a breathtaking panorama that refreshes the soul and brings a sense of returning to nature. After the climb, visitors can take a boat ride on Tongshan Lake, with its rippling blue waters, green islands, and beautiful scenery. The shore features rustling pine waves, birdsong, floral fragrances, and well-equipped hotels in a beautiful environment. The legend of the "water monster" adds even more mystery and charm to Tongshan Lake. Tongshan Scenic Area, with its beautiful landscapes as the main attraction and profound historical culture as its essence, caters to various travelers' needs. It is a destination for seeking knowledge, novelty, wonder, adventure, Buddhism, and exploration—a shining jewel in the heart of the Central Plains.

Tongshan has attracted visitors throughout history with its unique combination of lake and mountain views, natural scenery, and cultural heritage. Legend has it that during the conflict between Wang Mang and Liu Xiu, a fierce battle took place at Tongshan. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Li Daoyuan, famed for his "Commentary on the Water Classic," climbed Tongshan several times to study the source of the Bi River. In the Tang Dynasty, Yu Chijingde visited and erected a stele in commemoration. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, the peasant uprising leader Huang Chao composed poems here to inspire morale. During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Jiao Fang, who served as Minister of Personnel and Grand Secretary of Huagai Hall, visited with several scholars and personally wrote the "Inscription on the Reconstruction of Tongshan Qingliang Temple." In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi became a monk and retreated to Qingliang Temple on Tongshan. Successive county magistrates in the Qing Dynasty climbed the peak to enjoy the view and left many poems praising Tong Peak.

The entire scenic area is composed of "Ten Famous Peaks," "Five Major Stone Cliffs," and "Eight Major Sights." Among them, spectacular landscapes such as "Tong Peak’s Verdant Mist," "Bear Rock Facing the Sky," "Stone Grandma Peak," "Sky Bridge Rock," "Dripping Water Cliff," "Four Heavenly Gates," "One-Line Sky," and "Cloud Ladder" are truly breathtaking. The surrounding peaks feature uniquely shaped rocks resembling monkeys, lions, tigers, sheep, turtles, eagles, frogs, and other animals. Their exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike appearances are astounding.

The scenic area was designated as a provincial-level scenic spot by the People's Government of Henan Province on May 13, 1994. It is a tourist destination that relies on its landscapes and is rich in religious, cultural, and revolutionary heritage.

Tongshan Township: Located 30 kilometers east of Biyang County, Tongshan Township borders Queshan County to the east, Tongbai County to the south, and Laohe and Banqiao in Yicheng District to the north. With a typical mountainous and hilly terrain, it is a veteran revolutionary base and is named after the provincial scenic spot Tongshan within its borders. The township covers an area of 266 square kilometers and governs 18 administrative villages: Daluzhuang, Jiaozhuyuan, Zhengzhuang, Maoqiao, Shangshao, Gaizhuang, Xiaozhuang, Loufangling, Dengzhuang, Caozhuang, Shantou, Gangyao, Luogou, Pengzhuang, Minzhuang, Yangjinchong, Liuhe, and Tongfeng. It includes 269 villager groups, 335 natural villages, and a total population of 30,000, with cultivated land... More details about Tongshan Township++