Hongling Mountain Scenic Area

Hongling Mountain Scenic Area

With a total area of 26 km², Hongling Mountain Scenic Area lies 20 km from the county town. The highest spot reaches 3,640 meters above sea level, and the lowest is at 900 meters. It is a mountainous scenic destination integrating natural beauty and Buddhist culture, often dubbed the “Little Mount Emei.” Renowned worldwide for its breathtaking natural scenery, profound Buddhist heritage, rich flora and fauna, and unique geological formations, Hongling Mountain surpasses China’s Five Great Mountains in beauty. With its majestic peaks, enchanting vistas, and ever-changing atmospheric phenomena, it boasts distinct seasons on one mountain: wild cherry blossoms bloom everywhere in spring, azaleas dazzle in summer, autumn foliage captivates in fall, and winter snowscapes are utterly mesmerizing. Cloud seas, cloud waterfalls, sunrises, Buddha’s halo, and other rare celestial wonders attract countless visitors.

Highlights —

Hongling Mountain Temple Complex: The scenic area is home to numerous temples with deep historical roots, dating back to the Tang Dynasty's Kaiyuan era. Buddhism flourished here during the Qing Dynasty and the Republican period, with up to 128 halls at its peak, making it the “Sacred Mountain” in the hearts of local Tibetan and Han Buddhist followers. Tibetan Buddhism in Tianquan has been influenced by both the Tibetan Buddhism of the Kham region and Han Chinese Buddhism, forming a distinctive “Buddhist culture,” of which the Hongling Mountain Temple Complex is a notable representation. During the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu reign, the 13th Dalai Lama preached and chanted sutras here for several months. In the early Republican period, the 9th Panchen Lama also visited, reciting scriptures and teaching at the Chengzong Niangniang Hall for over 20 days. In the 1930s and 1940s, notable figures such as [names redacted], Zhang Daqian, Ye Qianyu, and Liu Wenhui sojourned briefly at Hongling Mountain, composing poetry and creating paintings inspired by its beauty. Since 1994, publications such as Sichuan Daily, Sichuan Economic Daily, Sichuan Forestry News, Ya’an Daily, and Hongyan Magazine have repeatedly featured reports on the area’s Buddhist culture and natural scenery.

The scenic area’s natural landscape consists of seven sub-areas: Tudi Gang, Qiling Mountain, Hongling Mountain, Wangmu Hall, Little Western Paradise Thunder Temple, and others. Currently, over ten temples are distributed across these areas, with more than 60 major and minor attractions. The landscape is characterized by its towering, precipitous, and wildly diverse beauty.

Thunder Temple Reclining Buddha: A natural masterpiece, the Reclining Buddha Mountain resembles a colossal Buddha lying on its side, incredibly lifelike and truly unique. The “Ten Thousand Buddhas Cliff” features naturally formed images of countless buddhas in various poses on a massive rock face, another marvel. The “Sacrificial Cliff” includes the Golden Summit, “Duguang Platform,” Little Western Paradise’s “Scripture Viewing Platform,” and Thunder Temple’s “Southern Heavenly Gate.” These cliffs, as steep and dramatic as those of Mount Emei’s Golden Summit Sacrificial Cliff, offer views of cloud waterfalls, sea of clouds, Buddha’s halo, mirages, as well as sunrises, sunsets, and the rare spectacle of “sun and moon together.” It is the best spot for high-altitude sightseeing.

Natural Biological Gene Bank: The scenic area features deep river valleys, steep cliffs, secluded gorges, undulating mountains, and soaring snow-capped peaks. Vast primeval forests thrive here, creating an outstanding ecological environment rich in plant and animal species, including many rare varieties—truly a natural biological gene bank. The lower parts of Hongling Mountain are dominated by wood and bamboo, the middle section by broadleaf trees, and the upper area by spruce and rhododendrons. Above Wanling Mountain up to Thunder Temple, protected wildlife includes giant pandas, red pandas, antelope, clouded leopards, golden monkeys, river deer, white-lipped deer, and blue sheep, among dozens of species, plus more than ten types of birds. According to provincial experts, there are over fifteen varieties of rhododendrons alone, with countless rare tree species. The area boasts pristine waters, lush greenery, fresh air, elegant surroundings, and a pleasant climate. Countless rare tree species thrive here. The environment remains in its natural, pristine state, free from volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, air pollution, or harmful pathogens—making it a natural green treasure, animal paradise, and scenic wonderland. Its superior environment and abundant landscapes cater to the spiritual and cultural needs of diverse visitors, serving as an ideal destination for leisure, entertainment, sightseeing, exploration, and adventure.

Traveling Here —

The scenic area enjoys convenient transportation, with the county’s road network forming a well-connected, crisscrossing system. The Sichuan-Tibet Highway (National Highway 318) runs east-west through the region, classified as a mountainous secondary highway. The scenic area can make full use of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, the Laxiwa Scenic Area Road, and forest roads. Public infrastructure and reception facilities are also well-established. The landscape holds immense aesthetic, cultural, and scientific research value, featuring distinctive characteristics. In 1995, experts from provincial authorities conducted a survey of the entire mountain and concluded that “Hongling Mountain is indeed no less impressive than Mount Emei, holds definite development potential, and is suitable for multidisciplinary studies in botany, zoology, geology, geomorphology, meteorology, archaeology, and religion. It offers comprehensive functions and benefits, and is a fully developed scenic area.”