Mount Hengshan (Nanyue)

Mount Hengshan (Nanyue)

Mount Hengshan (Nanyue) is a national scenic area, a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, and a national nature reserve.

Mount Hengshan (Nanyue), one of China's Five Great Mountains, is located in Hengyang City, Hunan Province. With its seventy-two peaks rising in layered splendor, it boasts a majestic presence. It has long been renowned as the "Longevity Mountain of China," the "Most Elegant of the Five Great Mountains," and the "Sacred Cradle of Civilization." It is now a national key scenic area, a national model of civilized scenic tourism, and a national AAA-level tourist area. It receives over 3 million domestic and international visitors annually.

Longevity Culture of the Longevity Mountain of China: The longevity culture of Mount Hengshan (Nanyue) has a profound history. According to the Star Classic (Xing Jing), Mount Hengshan corresponds to the star Zhen (轸), one of the 28 lunar mansions, which governs the lifespan of all living beings. Hence, Mount Hengshan has been called the "Mountain of Longevity." Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty inscribed the giant stone tablet "Mountain of Longevity" at Mount Hengshan, which still remains today on the Emperor’s Rock at Golden Tablet Peak. The first sentence of the Stele Inscription for the Reconstruction of Nanyue Temple, personally written by Emperor Kangxi, reads: "Mount Hengshan is a mighty bastion of the southern heavens, corresponding to the celestial rod star (Yuheng) of the Northern Dipper, and is also known as the Mountain of Longevity." This reaffirmed the title of "Mountain of Longevity" bestowed upon Mount Hengshan. Historical records through the dynasties often respectfully refer to Mount Hengshan as the “mountain that symbolizes longevity” or the “mountain that governs longevity.” The Ciyuan Dictionary defines "Mountain of Longevity" as "Mount Hengshan of Hunan," thus earning it the prestigious title of the "Longevity Mountain of China."

Long History: Mount Hengshan was first established as a sacred site during the Tang-Yu period and served as a place where ancient emperors conducted tours and sacrificial ceremonies. Legend has it that emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu came here to offer sacrifices to the gods of earth and grain, patrol the borders, and hunt. Yu the Great once sacrificed a horse here to heaven and earth, receiving the "Golden Tablet and Jade Book" and erecting a "Monument to Taming the Floods." Today, relics such as White Horse Peak, Golden Tablet Peak, and Yuwang City remain. Throughout history, renowned thinkers, strategists, politicians, and poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Zhu Xi, Wang Fuzhi, Tan Sitong, Guo Moruo, Tian Han, and Tao Zhu have visited Mount Hengshan, leaving behind over 3,700 poems, lyrics, songs, and essays, as well as 375 cliff inscriptions. It is considered one of the treasuries of Chinese national culture and art.

Most Elegant of the Five Great Mountains: Mount Hengshan is covered with ancient towering trees, and features both breathtaking natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, making it a popular destination for tourism and summer retreats. The scenic area boasts over 1,200 species of natural plants, including nine primeval forests, with more than 150 varieties of precious trees. These include ginkgo trees from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, ancient pines from the Ming Dynasty, the world-rare downy yew podocarpus, the mythically rich money tree, and intertwined branches. Peaks such as Zhurong Peak, Water Curtain Cave, Fangguang Temple, and Scripture Depository Hall have been praised since ancient times as the “Four Wonders” of Mount Hengshan for their loftiness, uniqueness, depth, and beauty. The mountain offers enchanting scenery in all seasons—admiring exotic flowers in spring, viewing sea of clouds in summer, watching sunrises in autumn, and enjoying snowscapes in winter—all of which are truly refreshing and unforgettable.

Coexistence of Buddhism and Taoism: The unique characteristic of Mount Hengshan, where Buddhism and Taoism coexist on the same mountain and within the same temples, is a marvel among China’s famous mountains. In the history of Chinese Buddhism and Taoism, Mount Hengshan holds a significant position, especially exerting great influence in Japan, Southeast Asia, and around the world. As early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, Taoism established its blessed lands on Mount Hengshan. By the Tang Dynasty, it flourished with “Ten Great Monasteries” and “Eight Hundred Thatched Huts.” Both religions share sacred texts and doctrines, eventually forming a distinctive feature of mutual reverence and shared prosperity. With the gradual implementation of the Party’s religious policies, the Buddhist and Taoist communities on Mount Hengshan raised over 80 million yuan to restore more than ten temples and palaces damaged during the Cultural Revolution, and added over 100,000 volumes of scriptures.

Victory Archway

Buddhist Chanting Ancient Path

Misty Wonderland

Huayan Lake

Shrine of the Chinese Ancestors

Xiangnan Temple

Five Sacred Peaks Temple (Danxia Temple)

Yiyang Academy of Mount Hengshan

Pilgrimage Ancient Path

Cliff Inscriptions of Mount Hengshan

Lingzhi Spring

Buddhist Chanting Valley

He Mansion of Mount Hengshan – Former Site of the WWII Military Conference and Official Residence of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling

South Heavenly Gate Ancestral Master Hall of Mount Hengshan

Xuan Du Taoist Temple of Mount Hengshan

South Heavenly Gate

Gaotai Temple

Immortals’ Meeting Bridge

Silent Hanging Sutras

Grinding Mirror Terrace

Magu Fairyland

The Martyrs' Shrine

The Martyrs' Shrine

Cemetery of the Fallen Soldiers of the 74th Army of the National Revolutionary Army in the War of Resistance Against Japan

Poetry Forest at Cliff Cave

Shangfeng Temple

Fangguang Temple

Zhusheng Temple

Website: http://www.nanyue.net.cn/

Address: No. 37, Yanshou Road, Nanyue District, Hengyang City, Hunan Province

Rating: AAAAA

Phone: 0734-5673377

Official Website: http://www.nanyue.net.cn/

Opening Hours: Peak season (April–October): 8:00–18:00; Off-peak season (November–March): 8:30–17:30

Transportation: Buses to Nanyue District are available from both Hengshan West Railway Station and Hengshan Railway Station. Once in Nanyue District, there are free shuttles to the foot of Mount Heng.

Tickets

Full Price: Nanyue Grand Temple 50 RMB/person; Peak season ticket 60 RMB/person; Off-peak season ticket 40 RMB/person

Nanyue Central Scenic Area 100 RMB/person, Peak season ticket 120 RMB/person; Off-peak season ticket 80 RMB/person

The off-peak season runs from November 1 to April 30 of the following year, and the peak season runs from May 1 to October 31.

Half Price: Seniors over 70, military personnel, people with disabilities, and primary and secondary school students (excluding college and university students) can enjoy a 50% discount with valid ID.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of National Scenic Areas

· Fourth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas