Mt. Hengshan

Being one of the famous mountains Wuyue (a collective name given to five famous mountains in China), Mt. Hengshan is in Hengyang City in Hunan Province, it is also referred as Nanyue, meaning South Mountain. It has eminent mountain peaks and wonderful mountain scenery.

Hengshan Mountain is composed of 72 peaks, among which the first mountain peak you will see when climbing is Huiyan Peak. Going further toward the north, you will feast your eyes on all the graceful scenery. Here in Mount Hengshan, no mountain peaks are without trees. It is green all over. There are various kinds of precious trees and a vast area of primeval forest. Among all these trees here, some are 300 - 400 years old, which still bloom when spring comes. Some trees are even over 1,000 years old. The trees in the primeval forest are bending with lichen growing on the trunks, resembling old men wearing tattered clothes. From the mountain peaks, you can see the grand view of sunrise, the rolling cloud and the oceans of trees. There magnificent views are called 'four oceans' on Mt. Hengshan: ocean of flowers, ocean of trees, ocean of cloud and ocean of snow.

People summarize all the spectacles here as 'the eight marvels in Mount Hengshan'. They are the height of the Zhurong Peak, the grace of the Sutra Collection Hall, the profundity of Fangguang Temple, the quietness of Mojingtai, the magic of the Water Curtain Cave, the antiquity of Dayu Stele, the steepness of Huixian Bridge, and the majesty of the Nanyue Temple, also the Grand Temple of Mount Heng. Zhurong Peak is the highest mountain peak of this scenic area. Sutra Collection Hall is located deep in the glen and is surrounded by towering trees. The running spring and flying birds make this place very peaceful and leisurely. Huixian Bridge is in fact a bridge on a big stone. It is narrow and dangerous, and few people are brave enough to go over it.

This scenic area is also a well known and hallowed Buddhist ground. It has abundant temples including nunneries and Taoist temples. The most notable one is Nanyue Temple, the largest temple in Wuyue. It was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), but was destroyed by fire. In the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), it was renovated imitating the design of the Forbidden City.

Various reputations were gained at this scenic area: a particular religious hallowed ground and a marvelous scenic locale for both summering and touring. Here you can watch blooming flowers in spring, prevent sunstroke in summer, watch sunrises in autumn and enjoy the beautiful prospect of snow in winter. If you are traveling in China or going to travel in China, do not miss the wonderful trip to Mt. Hengshan.

 Visitors can take a direct bus to the scenic area from Changsha, Hengyang, or other cities like Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Yongzhou, and Leiyang.

 From Hengyang
Take a train to Hengshan, Hengshan West, or Hengyang Railway Station. From Hengshan or Hengshan West, there are direct buses to Nanyue. The bus operates from 07:30 to 17:30 and the fare is CNY 5. If you arrive at Hengyang Railway Station, take bus 118, 137, 140, 160, or 181 to the Central Coach Station first, and then take a bus to Nanyue.

 From Changsha
Take a direct bus from Changsha South Coach Station to Nanyue. The bus operates between 08:10 and 17:50 and the duration takes about two hours.

Upon arrival at Nanyue, visitors can take the free bus to the tourist center.

Admission Fee	May - Oct.: CNY 110 Nov. - Apr.: CNY 80
Nanyue Temple	May - Oct.: CNY 60 Nov. - Apr.: CNY 40
Water Curtain Cave	CNY 30
Wanshou Tripod	CNY 30
Zhusheng Temple	CNY 5
Jingang Buddha Remains Stupa	CNY 5
Cable Car & Battery Car	CNY 80 (round-trip) CNY 45 ( single-trip)