Mt. Yuelushan
» Changsha, Hu Nan

岳麓山 远上寒山石径斜,白云生处有人家.停车坐爱枫林晚,霜叶红于二月花

Yuelu Park

Mt Yuelushan scenic area consists of hills, pinnacles, rivers, lakes, wide variety of species of flora and fauna, cultural historic site, revolutionary monuments. The name Yuelu derived from a famous line from the book "Story of Nanyue" written by Liu Song from the Southern and Northern Dynasties. It reads "eight hundred square meters around Nanyue, the head is Huiyan and the foot is Yuelu." The mountain was since ever called Mt. Yuelushan. It lies in the west bank of Xiang River in Changsha City. The tourism area covers an area of 553.3 hectare; the peak is 300 meters high above sea level.

What to visit

With many running streams and natural scenic spots, it is also studded with inspiring cultural heritages including the Yuelu Academy, Lushan Temple, Aiwan Pavilion, White Crane Spring, Yunlu Palace, the Monument to King Yu and other minor historical traces. Yuelu Academy is located at the foot of the mountain, Lushan Temple in the middle, and the Yunlu Palace at the top. These three spots show visitors three aspects of Chinese traditional culture - Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

Yuelu Academy

The famous Yuelu Academy, hidden in the woods, was originally built at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127) and was one of the greatest classical academies of that time. Zhu Xi (1130 - 1200), a famous Confucianist philosopher, used to teach here. The late leader of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong, also studied here. It became Hunan University in 1925.

Lushan Temple

The ancient Lushan Temple located at the ancient forest of Mt. Yuelushan, is one of the most ancient temples in Hunan built in Western Jin Dynasty. The temple enjoys great fame in the region and is renowned as the "first key point of interest from Han and Wei Dynasties," "the most sacred temple in Hunan province."

The huge yew podocarpus tree standing in front of the temple is said to be more than 1,700 years old. There is a clear spring near the temple, named White Crane Spring (Baihequan), whose water, when boiled, gives off whirling steam said to look like a flying crane.

Aiwan Pavilion

The Aiwan Pavilion (Loving Youth Pavilion) at the foot of the hill faces east and is surrounded by hills on the other three sides. This pavilion was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty and got its name from the poem by Du Mu, which says "Go up to a cool mountain far away, a winding stone path over there; There is a household in the depths of the white clouds. Stop my carriage, for I love the maple forest in the deep autumn; the leaves in the frost are redder than the flowers in February."

The pavilion is elegant and of primitive simplicity. The beauty of this spot, with its blossoming peach trees, graceful willows, and flowing streams has attracted many poets and artists.

Yunlu Palace

Yunlu Palace is a Taoist place. The history of activities for Taoism in Mt. Yuelushan is quite long. Yunlu Palace was built in 1478, and Mt. Yuelushan has been as the activity center of Taoism since then. Flying Clock and Flying Stone are also the famous attractions in Mt. Yuelushan. Flying Clock is hanging in a ginkgo near Yunlu Palace. Flying Stone lied under Flying Clock.

Monument to King Yu

The Monument to King Yu stands on the purple rock wall of the peak of Mount Yuelu, facing east. It records the story of King Yu controlling water. After his father was killed for controlling water, King Yu continued to control water. According to legend, he did not listen to music in seven years and did not enter home when passing it for three times. The monument is 1.7 meters tall and 1.4 meters wide.

On the monument, there are 9 lines, 9 words of each nine, four words less in the last nine, all together 77 words. The words look like polliwog, different from bone script. They are very difficult to be understood. It is said

Distinctive beauty in seasons

Mt. Yuelushan changes with the seasons: in spring the mountain is covered with green trees, bamboo and pink peach blossoms; in summer it is pleasant to enjoy the breeze; in late autumn it is pleasant to appreciate scarlet maple leaves; the mountain is dotted with snow-covered evergreens in winter.

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

With many running streams and natural scenic spots, it is also studded with many historical sites. Scenic spots on the mountain include the Yuelu Academy at the foot of the mountain, Lushan Temple in the middle, and the Yuelu Palace at the top. These three spots show visitors three aspects of Chinese traditional culture - Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism.



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