Being one of the famous mountains Wuyue (a collective name given
to five famous mountains in China), Mt. Hengshan is found in Hengyang
City in Hunan Province, it is also referred as Nanyue, meaning South
Mountain. It has eminent mountain peaks and wonderful mountain scenery.
Mt. Hengshan is composed of 72 peaks, among which the first mountain
peak you will see when touring is Huiyan Peak. Going further toward
the north, you will feast your eyes on all the graceful scenery.
Here in Mt. 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 Mt. 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 Shuilian Cave, the
antiquity of Dayu Stele, the majesty of the Nanyue Temple and the
steepness of Huixian Bridge. 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 Damiao, 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.
Transportation: Take the bus No.1 in the urban area of Hengyang,
getting off when you reach the last stop (Western Bus Stop), transferring
to a coach to get the Hengyang County, then you will reach the scenic
area.