Shanyang Tianzhu Mountain Forest Park

　　Tianzhu Mountain, also known as Tianzhu Mountain, is situated south of Huling and north of Yunling in the southeastern part of Shanyang County, 30 kilometers from the county town. The Tianzhu Mountain Forest Park falls under the jurisdiction of the state-owned Tianzhu Mountain Forest Farm, stretching 40 kilometers from east to west and 25 kilometers from north to south, covering an area of 1,058 hectares with a forest coverage rate of 88%. Tianzhu Mountain is towering and precipitously beautiful, renowned far and wide.

　　Both Tang Dynasty’s Luo Gongyuan and Song Dynasty’s neo-Confucian scholar Shao Yong once lived in seclusion here. The mountain's lowest peak is at an altitude of 1,255 meters, and the highest reaches 2,074.4 meters. There are seven peaks facing each other, with the main ones being North Peak (Dading Mountain), East Peak (Iron Bell Flat), South Peak (Hongchi Ridge), and West Peak (Pine Tree Field). Year-round clouds and mist shroud the valleys between the peaks, where ancient pines twist with verdant vibrancy, bizarre rocks jut out in diverse shapes, and all complement the majestic ancient architecture to form a harmoniously enchanting scene. Visitors here feel as though they’ve entered a fairyland. The most spectacular sight is the “Tianzhu Sea of Clouds.” After rain and clearing skies, clusters of white clouds gather halfway up the mountain, spreading out to form a surging ocean-like sea of mist, resembling “water flooding the Golden Mountain.” The eastern and western cliffs rise thousands of feet high, with paths carved artificially along the rock faces, famously known as “Yanwangbian” (King Yama’s Cliff). Iron chains are fixed on the western cliff, and a single-plank bridge spans the perilous gorge; near the Jianhe River lies the famous Seven-Mile Gorge. Cliffs stand opposite each other, and looking up, only a sliver of blue sky can be seen. Vines intertwine, casting a thick green shade over the sky, while a stream rushes down from the south, its roaring sound like thunder, creating an imposing barrier that seems to defy any intrusion. Chen Luzhai wrote in his poem “Climbing Tianzhu Mountain”:

　　“Standing here feels like being in the ninth heaven, with vast rivers and plains laid bare beneath, one could almost breathe the same air as the celestial throne, and heroic aspiration rises to question Heaven itself. The steep cliffs were cleaved by mighty spirits, the earth is propped up by pillars of strength. As autumn arrives from the west, the wind is fair and the sun bright, while below, the splendid air is lush and green.” This verse truly captures the majestic presence of Tianzhu Mountain.

　　Tianzhu Mountain boasts abundant natural resources and captivating scenery. The park is colorful and varies with the seasons. In spring, mountain flowers bloom in vivid profusion; in summer, green slopes offer a cool and pleasant retreat; in autumn, red leaves blaze like fire and wild fruits fill the air with fragrance; in winter, a silver-white world is set off by green pines against the snow. The park is home to over 200 species of forest plants and more than 40 types of wildlife, including precious animals such as leopards, musk deer, masked palm civets, foxes, leopard cats, golden pheasants, blue sheep, and azaleas. There are over 60 cultural and scenic sites, including six historical relics and 58 scenic spots. The Stone Water Tower, built in the Song Dynasty, stands about a hundred meters behind the Iron Tile Hall. Over ten feet tall and several feet in circumference, it is said to have been created by the Iron Plate Taoist. There are three such towers, all round in shape, vividly crafted with unique artistry. Shuangfeng Guan (Twin Peaks Temple) was where our Party leaders rested during wartime while leading troops from Hubei to Shangluo; Yun’gai Si (Cloud Canopy Temple) was newly built when Shao Yong of the Song Dynasty lived in seclusion here. The Scripture Cave was carved by the Qing Dynasty monk Chao Gu from Sichuan to store scriptures. Shangtiāntáng (Heavenly Paradise), built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, is the site of the earliest palace-temple ruins. The Medicine King Temple is located halfway up the main peak at 2,000 meters, where Ming Dynasty stone carvings of the words “Medicine King Temple” remain intact to this day. In addition, at the mountain’s base there are 24 caves including Heilong Cave, Chaoyang Cave, and Chuanshen Cave, 12 peaks such as Xiunü Peak, Diecui Peak, Sanxing Peak, and Feishen Peak, and 12 notable rocks such as Moon Rock and Gourd Rock. Nearby the park are landmarks like Ancestral Master Cave, Jiao Zan and Meng Liang Cave, Immortal Buddha Cave, Yuanjue Temple, Leigu Platform, Manwang Stone, Jian Shi Ya, and Sengdao Pass.

　　Since the Han Dynasty, Tianzhu Mountain has been a center for Taoist activities, with over 10 ancient temples built through the dynasties. Before the Republican era, many monks and nuns resided on the mountain; by 1960, over 20 had returned to secular life. In recent years, monks and nuns have returned, and incense burning has flourished again. The mountain attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. The ancient architectural complex of Tianzhu Mountain holds significant value for studying the history of Taoism and the sculptural arts of the Han and Tang dynasties.

　　Ticket price: Peak season: 90 | Off-season: 70

　　Inquiry phone: 0916-8888882

　　Postal code: 726406

　　Scenic area address: Sengdaoguan, Faguan Town, Shanyang County

　　Shao Yong (1011~1077)　　Shao Yong (1011–1077), courtesy name Yaofu, was a renowned Northern Song Dynasty neo-Confucian scholar, mathematician, and poet. He was born in Shanggan Village, Lin County (today’s Shaokang Village, Liujiastreet, Linzhou City, Henan Province; some say he was born in Fanyang, today’s Dashaocun, Zhuozhou, Hebei Province). He is grouped among the Five Masters of the Northern Song along with Zhou Dunyi, Zhang Zai, Cheng Hao, and Cheng Yi. In the fourth year of the TianSheng era (1026), at age 16, Shao Yong followed his father to Sumeru Mountain in Gongcheng and settled there. In the first year of the Kangding era (1040) during Emperor Renzong’s reign, at age 30, Shao Yong traveled through Henan. As he buried his parents by the Yi River (a tributary of the southern Luo River in Henan), he became identified with Henan (today’s Luoyang, Henan). From a young age, he… Details +

　　Luo Gongyuan 　　Luo Gongyuan was a Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty. Also known as Siyuan. He was from Jiulong Mountain, Pengzhou (today’s Peng County, Sichuan Province; some say he was from Ezhou, today’s Wuchang, Hubei Province). He built a hermitage in Liyuanzhi and frequently traveled between Qingcheng and Luochuan, becoming as famous as Zhang Guo and Ye Fashan. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, he was frequently summoned for imperial consultations, and his responses were always deemed fitting. He competed with Ye Fashan and the Vajra Tripitaka in displaying magical powers at the imperial court, and his feats—entering the forbidden palace, exorcising evil, summoning dragons to bring rain—were all proven effective. Regarding state affairs, he offered subtle advice or straightforward strategies. He was especially skilled in invisibility; when Emperor Xuanzong asked to learn his technique, he replied: “Your Majesty, as the sovereign of all under Heaven, how can you rely on petty tricks? If I were to use all my skills, I would have to carry the imperial seal into the populace, endangered while in disguise.” … Details +