Feilaifeng Peak
» Hangzhou, Zhe Jiang

飞来峰 '溪山处处皆可庐,最爱灵隐飞来峰'

Peak Flown From Afar,Fei Lai Feng

There are many grotesque stones on the peak in the shapes of charming dragon, prostrate tiger, walking elephant and scared ape. The color of the stones is also queer, green touched with purple, shining and slippery to the full tastes of visitors.

Name legends

There are many legends about the peak's name. Let's have a look at the well-known.

"The Hill That Flew here"

The legend states that an Indian monk named Huili arrived in the valley 1,600 years ago and was surprised to see a peak so dissimilar from any other one in the valley. He believed that the peak had flown over from India, "The Hill That Flew here", because the shape, although unique in China, was common in India. His suggestion was proved when a black ape and a white ape who meditated at the Indian hill were found in a cave here. However, he did not know why the peak would have flown to this spot so far from his country. Hence the peak's name was created and has passed down to the present day.

Being so different

Its peculiar name may also come from its being different from the hills around it. Covered with bizarre rocks and caves, it is both smaller than the surrounding hills and has a different geological structure. All the hills around it are formed with sandstones, while the Hill That Flew here is composed of limestone.

What to see

Secluded by large trees and situated at the top of the hill with pleasant trails for hiking in the woods, we are provided with many attractions here. The pavilion named Cui Wei, Marvelous caves, Ancient statues, "China Grotto Art Garden" and so on.

The pavilion

Large stones scattered along the peak are said to resemble animals like a flying dragon, a running elephant, a crouching tiger, and a fleeing monkey. On the other side of the peak, a pavilion named Cui Wei was erected to immortalize the national hero Yue Fei. This man contributed greatly in the war against Jin Tribe during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 - 1279). The pavilion was destroyed many times before the large restoration of 1942. The current pavilion keeps its old face with fresh paint.

Marvelous caves

Due to the erosion by groundwater, there are many marvelous caves in the mountain. The caves of this mountain shelter about 330 stone statues dating from the 10th to the 14th centuries. The statues appear in a variety of poses ranging from standing, to sitting, to sleeping. In one of these caves, the Shexu Cave, if looking at the roof of the cave at the right time, tourists will see a beam of sunlight shining into the cave, this famous scene called "the Gleam of the Sky."

On the cliff below the summit, there are a large number of caves with exquisite Buddha statues, carved during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Ancient statues

Representing the Southern China's carving grotto, the Carved Stone Statues are located on the Feilaifeng Peak in front of the Lingyin Temple. There are 388 ancient statues in total, from the period of Five Dynasties to Song and Yuan Dynasties, with the sitting statues of the "Three West Sages" being the earliest, made in the year of 951.

The smiling Maitreya Buddha

Among them, the largest statue of the smiling Maitreya Buddha is the best-preserved one of its kind and embodies the artistry of carving in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). With exposed breast and belly, it sits on cliff along the brook. Besides, there is image of King Da Li Ming with three heads, eight arms, and stripping to the waist, colorful crown on head and pearl and jade necklace on neck, a superb one in the statues of the Yuan Dynasty.

"China Grotto Art Garden"

In 1993, a new site by the name of "China Grotto Art Garden" was set up around the beauty spot of Feilaifeng Peak. Thousands of professionals and aficionados in the fields of engraving and grotto research flock to this place to study the unparalleled Chinese classical rock carvings.

Getting there

  • By city bus: 7, 807, (get off at Lingyin bus stop)
  • Tourist bus: No. 1, 2 and 4 (get off at Lingyin bus stop)

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

  Weather

  1. Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

  Food

  1. What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?
  2. What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

  Shopping

  1. What are the best souvenirs in Hangzhou?

  Customs

  1. What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?
  • Hangzhou's weather and something we need to know

    Hangzhou's weather is always warm and humid, with a clear division of four seasons.

    The peak season usually starts in March and lasts for a month, due to a flower-blooming season, with a temperature of 9 to 15 C.

    From late June to early July, it is the plum rain season. Rainfalls are very unpredictable. Typhoon takes places in the early August with pouring rains, so during this period of time, an umbrella is always needed when you prepare to go out.

    The winter in Hangzhou is just like other cities' in south China, with piercing cold. Warm clothes are strongly suggested.

    If you want to take a walk alongside the West Lake, please wear some warm clothes too, to avoid from getting a clod which will affect your journey.

    Each season in Hangzhou has its own splendid view and specialty, which are all worth visiting.


  • What's the specialty of Hangzhou cuisine?

    Hangzhou cuisine does have it's own characteristics: smells nice, tastes good and looks pleasant. Fresh tastes is the most well-known specialty of Hangzhou cuisine.

    The most famous dishes are Fish Maw with Chinese Broccoli, Dongpo Pork, West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, etc.

    You can not underestimate Hangzhou's snacks. Thousands years of history provides a peculiarity of Hangzhou snacks. Congbaohui, Cat Ears (Do not panic. It's not really cat's ears. It's dough in a cat's ear's shape and is cooked in different ways), Noodles with Preserved Vegetable and Sliced Pork and Bamboo Shoots in Soup, Crisp Cakes, etc.


  • What are some famous restaurants in Hangzhou?

    Louwailou Restaurant

    Built in the 1840s by a Qing Dynasty Noble, Louwailou Restaurant is said to be the oldest restaurant in China. Many foreign heads have dined there when visiting this city.

    The Restaurant features authentic Hangzhou cuisine. Tasty food served including West Lake Carp in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Beggar's Chicken as well as Dragon Well Tea served with snacks.

    Address: No 30 Gushan Road
    Tel: (0571) 8796 9023
    Opening Hours: Open daily 11:30am - 2:30pm and 4:30pm - 8:30pm

    Tianwaitian Restaurant

    This is also a very old restaurant first opened in 1910. its nice location close to the Lingyin Temple, tasty seafood and warm service make the restaurant very popular eating place for tourist.

    Address: No. 2 Tianzhu Road, outside the Peak Flown from Afar Park entrance
    Tel: (0571) 8796 0599
    Opening hours: Open Daily 7am - 9pm


  • What are the best souvenirs to best in Hangzhou?

    Silk

    Hangzhou is well known for producing excellent silks, including satins.

    The best place for purchasing silk in Hangzhou is at Hangzhou Silk City, the biggest silk wholesale and retail market in China with more than 600 silk enterprises dealing in a wide variety of pure silk fabrics, garments, handicraft articles, scarves, and ties.

    It is located at No.253 Xinhua Road (at the intersection of Fengqi Road, Tiyuchang Road, and Xinhua Road). You can get to the site by bus No.11 and 28.

    Tea

    Hangzhou Longjing Tea (Dragon Well Tea) is considered China's best. It is not only famous for its unique green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and flat appearance, but is also regarded as a health elixir.

    The tea falls into different grades; the best is the first pick of a year, normally in late March or early April.

    Besides its good quality, Longjing Tea also enjoys a famous long history. If you are interested in tea culture and history, Meijiawu Village in West Lake District is the ideal spot where you can have a cup of tea, watch a tea ceremony, and select tea under professional guidance.


  • What are some local festivals in Hangzhou?

    There are some remarkable festivals in Hangzhou, maybe you will experience one of them if you are lucky enough:

    • Dragon Well Tea Festival (April-May)
      The annual Dragon Well Tea Festival, hosted by Dragon Well Village, attracts people from everywhere to take part in activities such as picking tea, drinking tea, enjoying a tea ceremony, and walking in the countryside.

    • West Lake Lotus Festival (July-August)
      The main activities of this festival include viewing the beautiful lotus, picking lotus seed pods, shelling lotus seed, watching folk drama performances, and visiting the lotus exhibition. The host area is one of the scenic spots of West Lake-Qu Yuan Feng He.

    • West Lake Osmanthus Festival (September-October)
      Since osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou, the government has decreed that each year during September when osmanthus blooms, Hangzhou citizens host the West Lake Osmanthus Festival.

      The sites of the celebration are usually in Man Long Gui Yu Park, Man Jue Long Village, and Hangzhou Arboretum. Appreciating osmanthus and the food made of osmanthus, drinking tea, watching shows and painting exhibitions are the main activities during the festival.

    • China International Qiantang River Tidal Bore Festival (September-the 18th day of the eighth lunar month)
      During this tourist-friendly festival, one of the largest in China, visitors arrive to appreciate the great spectacle of the Qiantang River Bore. The bore is a unique natural phenomenon triggered by the pull of the moon.

      When the tides come in, a wave is produced so large that it surges several meters high. Every year this magnificent wonder draws thousands of tourists from all over the world.

    • West Lake International Fireworks Show (In the middle of October)
      This dazzling event in West Lake draws thousand of viewers to the fireworks site to witness the glittering and colorful skyline. Thousands of new fireworks products from different countries entertain enthusiastic visitors.


Feilaifeng Peak, also named Nimble Vulture (Lingjiu) Peak, soars 209 meters (about 700 feet) and is a must-see in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Standing next to Lingyin Temple, it is a pure limestone mountain that is very distinctive from the Sandstone Mountains around it

Tour Highlights

» 1 tour1 Day Tours

» 11 toursCity Tours

» 11 toursPackage Tours

»»For exploration of Feilaifeng Peak, check out 26 tours ...



phone U.S.A. +1 (310) 997-0051 / +1 (310) 878-2934
Canada +1 (604) 998-6945
China +86 (10) 8409-8570 / +86 (10) 8409-8571
email info@yeschinatour.commsn: help@yeschinatour.com