Mt. Hengshan
» Changsha, Hu Nan

南岳衡山 '中华寿岳' 衡山苍苍入紫冥,下看南极老人星.回飙吹散五峰雪,往往飞花落洞庭

Hengshan

Heng Shan (Mount Heng), sometimes called Southern Heights Mountain (Nanyue Shan), is located about 120km south of Changsha. It is one of the five sacred Buddhist mountains in China, although much of the mountain is also dedicated to Taoist belief. The mountain sprawls out for 80 kilometers or so and there are a total of 72 peaks in all, the highest of which, Wishing for Harmony Peak (Zhurong Feng), rises to 1,298 meters above sea level. It is a pretty area that quite popular (crowded), although charming Buddhist and Taoist temples, some dating back over 1000 years, and delightful scenery to make it worth your while.

What to see

  • Nanyue Temple: The Nanyue Temple has nine courtyards and the main hall is 22 meters high, supported by 72 stone pillars, which symbolize the 72 peaks of the mountain. Glazed in red and yellow, the temple, covering 98,500 sq. meters, is linked with many other buildings and represents a grand palace complex.
    The gate of the Nanyue Temple is a 20-meter-high stone gate called Lingxing Gate. The main hall of the Nanyue Temple is called the Shendi Hall, over 30 meters high and over 50 meters wide, which looks magnificent and has two layers. In the middle there consecrates the figure of Nanyue God Emperor. With 72 large stone poles supporting the hall, it looks magnificent and characteristic. Passing the God Emperor Hall, it is Mausoleum with the sitting figures of Saint Father and Saint Mother. Besides, there are two halls, one is the Zhusheng Hall, belonging to Taoism, and the other is the Xiashen Hall, belonging to Buddhism.

  • Water-Screen Cave: The Water-Screen Cave, lying under the Zigai Peak, is an irresistible attraction. The most famous in the Water-Screen Cave is foundation. Walking along the brook and past the stone bridge, you can see stones with different poses and different carvings. The falling foundation falls into a stone pool.

  • Fuyan Temple is known as the nation's "First Temple of Buddhist Doctrine", with a maidenhair tree of 1,400 years old; the Nantai Temple has a history of over 1,400 years and is regarded as the origin of a Buddhist branch in Japan;

  • Tripitaka Temple, famous for its delicacy and enfeoffed Confuian classics, is surrounded by such oddly-shaped ancient trees like Money Tree, Tree of Love, etc., and many historic sites like Shuzhuang Tai and Diaoyu Tai and Yunchun Pavilion.

  • The Fangguang Temple, which is quiet with a forest of ancient trees, and the Water-Screen Cave, which is mysterious, are all spots of interest.

Climate

Mt.Hengshan is located in Hunan province. Hunan's climate is subtropical, with mild winters and plenty of precipitation. January temperatures average 3 to 8 C while July temperatures average around 27 to 30 C. Average annual precipitation is 1200 to 1700 mm.v

Dining

Inside the scenic area of Mt.Hengshan, you can also have some dishes that are as good as in the city. Some famous dishes are Yikouxiang, Erdumei, Three fresh delicacies soup, etc, are all cooked with precious materials and advanced cooking skills.

Tansportation

There are early morning buses leaving the Changsha South Bus Station to Nanyue (around 5 hours). You can either take a minibus from Nanyue to Shangfeng Temple (Shangfeng Si), or take the main road through Nanyue to the park gates behind the Nanyue Temple, hiking up to the hill. A cable car runs from near the Half Way Temple (Banshan Si) to the top.

Sleep

Mt.Hengshan is a traditional scenic area in Hunan, and hotels can be easily found. There are a lot of hotels at the foot of the mountain. Some 2-star hotels provide standard room with a price of 120 RMB. There are also even cheaper rooms for 50-70RMB a night. Also, there are some small hotels alongside the mountain road , or near ropeway station inside the Hengshan scenic area, with rooms that are 70 - 100 RMB per night.

It is necessary to bargain before you check in. Usually 30% - 40% of the price can be bargain off.

Entertainment

Shopping

You will find a lot of stores for sourvenirs as you climb up the mountain. Usually the price is high. You can usually bargain off 50% of the original price or more.

Attractions around » Changsha, Hu Nan

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Mountain

Mountain

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area

Nature Reserve & Scenic Area
  1. When to go
  2. Packing essentials
  3. Stay safe on the mountain
  4. Isn't it wierd to bargain in a restaurant?

  1. When to go

    It is always foggy on Mt.Hengshan, and its Spring is always rainy. Summer is cool while Winter is warm, so the four seasons are all suitable for visiting. Late Summer and early Autumn are the best time to visit.


  2. Packing essentials

    1. Wear sport shoes with soft soles; buy a pair of nylon gloves and a walking stick when necessary.
    2. Eat high-calorie food and bring some with you when climbing.
    3. Bring mineral water with you. Do not drink too much when thirsty; just sip it to keep your mouth wet.
    4. It is windy in the mountain and especially humid in summer, so prepare some warm clothes (even in summer).
    5. Sometimes it rains on the mountain, so take along a plastic raincoat.
    6. Bring an electric torch when climbing at night.


  3. If you plan to see the sunrise, read this

    • The 'Rock Poem Forest' above Zhonglie temple is called 'labyrinth' by local people. People should look to each other when crossing the forest and be careful of breaking the ranks.
    • There are many cliffs in the mountain. To be safe, one should not be too close to them.
    • As the weather is different in the mountain, one should take some clothes in preparation.

  4. Isn't it wierd to bargain in a restaurant?


    Not in Mt.Hengshan. Restaurants here rip travelers off, especially foreign travelers. So you should bargain even in a restaurant. Usually 50% of the price can be bargained off.

Ancient caves, deep valleys, spring and waterfall, making the world quiet; beautiful flowers and grasses, adding to the fairyland atmosphere of Southern Scared Mountain. Here, you must go and see.

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