Mt. Songshan

Located in the west of Henan Province, Mt.Songshan, a famous mountain and cradle of central China’s civilization, covers an area of 450 square meters and stretches over 60 kilometers. Mt.Songshan, the World Heritage, lies east to the provincial capital of Zhengzhou and west to the ancient city of Luoyang. The highest peak is 1,512 meters and Mt.Songshan is constituted by Mt.Taishi and Mt.Shaoshi. Shaolin Temple is an attractive spot.

Attractions

Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple, a Chan Buddhist temple on Mt.Songshan, is reputed to be the Number One Temple. Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, is listed into the World Sites by United Nation and is listed as a Key Buddhist Temple in China. It saves a lot of precious cultural relics and is famous for Shaolin Kung Fu. Visitors coming here can see the wonderful Kung Fu show.

Zhongyue Temple

Zhongyue Temple is a place of Taoism. The Taoist priests before had lectures here. Firstly founded in Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), Zhongyue Temple was expanded in Tang (618-907) and Song Dynasty (960-1279). In Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhongyue Temple was destroyed in a big fire. During Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was rebuilt many times. Zhongyue Temple retains the grand scale with the Ming and Qing building scale pattern and style.

Zhongyue Temple covers an area of 100,000 square meters. The road paved by blue flagstone is the axis among the ancient building group. Along the central axis from south to north and from high to low, gallery rooms and royal library stand at both sides. More than 330 coopers, one hundred stone tablets and many other relics are here.

Songyang Study House

Firstly built in 484, Songyang Study House is a place for early Buddhist activities. And later on, it was changed into a place for Taoist activities. At the end of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the abolition of the imperial examination and the establishment of school meant that Songyang Study House finished its duty. However, the history of ancient Chinese education college as a bright pearl will go down in history.

Songyang buildings remain the architectures of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), covering an area of 9,984 meters. From south to north, the first gate, Xiansheng Hall, and Cangshu Pavilion stand respectively. The buildings are simple, generous, elegant and vulgar, which are different from the buildings in Central China. The buildings are with strong local architectural features.

Songshan Observatory

Built about in 1276, Songshan Observatory is the only one left, having a long history about 700 years. Songshan Observatory is the oldest in China and is one of the most famous astronomical science buildings in the world, which reflects the outstanding achievements Chinese scientists made in world history and has a very high value. Songshan Observatory was announced as the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

General Cypress

There are three cypresses in the yard, which were called First General, Second General and Third General by Emperor Hanwudi (140BC-87BC). First General 12 meters high, 5.4 meters thick is like a big umbrella covering sky. Second General 18.2 meters high and 12.54 meters thick is like the wings of eagle flying. When wind blows, the shaking of the foliages likes the voice of the ring. The cypresses have 4,500 years which are the oldest and largest cypresses in China.

Songshan Waterfall

The waterfall in Mt.Songshan is not very big, but gives the spirit and charm to Mt.Songshan. The springs in the mountain gurgle and run into lake, which is very spectacular.