Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area
» Shijiazhuang, He Bei

苍岩山 五岳奇秀揽一山,太行群峰唯苍岩

Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area, with an altitude of 1,000 meters, is located 80 kilometers southwest of Shijiazhuang City, the capital of Hebei Province. With a long history and covering an area of 63 square miles, the area is characterized by grotesque stones, verdant cypress trees, temples and pagodas. Like a bright pearl nestled in the Taihang Mountains, it is a famous scenic area that integrates tourism, recreation, health-building and scientific research.

A mountain for sightseeing

Its rich landscapes, imposing mountain peaks, grotesque stones, tranquil valleys, ancient trees and limpid springs create unique, quiet and beautiful natural scenery. The thousand-year-old temples and excellent architectural arts bring visitors a rare aesthetic experience, believed to "possess all the elegance and grotesqueness of the Five Great Mountains in China."

The uncanny workmanship of these natural formations boasts bizarre precipices and cliffs, as well as a prime biological environment in the central part of the Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area. From a bird's-eye view, the eastern and western peaks stand facing each other, and a south-north mountain ridge runs across background of the two peaks.

A mountain of Buddhist culture

Besides being a resort for sightseeing and traveling, Cangyan Mountain is also a famous mountain of Buddhist culture. It is said that Princess Nanyang, the oldest daughter of Emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618), once entered the religion here and became a Buddhist nun.

The most famous mountains are identified with numerous monks. And Cangyan Mountain is no exception. Temples, such as the Dragon-cliff Temple, Temple of the Sleeping Buddha, Fortune Celebration Temple (Fu Qing Si), the Peak of the Jade Emperor, etc, can be found at the foot of the mountain, the mountainside, on its peaks, narrow or wide points, or even its cliffs.

Shot spot for "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon"

There are sights everywhere at the Cangyan Mountain and every sight is very fascinating and enchanting, attracting numerous tourists at home and abroad to compose poems and paint here. Some of the scenes are in "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon." The 73rd Oscar winner directed by Ang Lee was filmed here.

Interesting legends

Rosewoods in the Valley is a unique scene at the Cangyan Mountain, The rosewoods' roots are exposed without bark or pith. They either grow out of the bluff or the perilous cliff, just like artworks of root carving. According to legend, Nanyang Princess' dress got caught on the branches of the rosewood, so she said angrily," If some day I become an immortal by practicing Buddhism, I'll peel your bark and cut out your pith." Later, it really turned out that the rosewoods have no bark or pith.

The cypresses at the Cangyan Mountain are more peculiar. No matter where they grow, after thousands of years, the crowns of the cypresses all grow facing one direction, namely, facing the Memorial Temple of Nanyang Princess. Local people call it "ancient cypresses facing the saint."

Getting around

With a long history and covering an area of 63 square miles, the area is characterized by grotesque stones, verdant cypress trees, temples and pagodas. Like a bright pearl nestled in the Taihang Mountains, it is a famous scenic area that integrates tourism, recreation, health-building and scientific research.

Fortune Celebration Temple (Fu Qing Si)

The most famous building complex on Cangyan Mountain is the Fortune Celebration Temple (Fu Qing Si). It was first erected during the Sui Dynasty and is said to have been the place where Princess Nan Yang, the daughter of the Sui Emperor Yang, practiced Buddhism. The various structures of the Fortune Celebration Temple (the Tablets House, the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, and the Hall of the Giant Buddha, the Bridge-Tower Hall, and the Buddhist Canon Depository) are well integrated into the mountain topography.

Bridge-Tower Hall

The central landmark of the complex is the Bridge-Tower Hall. As the name suggests, it is supported by a stone arch bridge spanning a narrow gorge. The bridge has a span of 15 meters and stands 52 meters above ground; it is constructed from 365 stone blocks. Under the bridge a stone staircase with more than 360 steps leads up to the summit.

The Princess Memorial Hall

The Princess Memorial Hall is situated to the north of the Qiaolou. In the hall stand the statue of Princess Nanyang with her two sisters attending to her. On the walls are painted some murals recording the stories of Princess Nanyang. Behind the hall is a cave which is said to be the princess' bedroom.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Getting there

Catch a bus at the Xiwang Bus Station in Shijiazhuang to the Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area.

Attractions around » Shijiazhuang, He Bei

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Mountain

Mountain

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Enjoying the good reputation of "The Cangyan Mountain takes on all the elegance and grotesqueness of the Five Great Mountains in China," it is a bright pearl nestled in the Taihang Mountains. Besides being a resort for sightseeing and traveling, this national AAAA tourist attraction is also a famous mountain of Buddhist culture.



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