Written by Veronica |
Longhu Mountain, literally meaning the Dragon and Tiger Mountain, is a famous resort in Jiangxi, China. It is most renowned for its three wonders, the gorgeous Danxia landform, amazing cliff tombs, and the birthplace of Taoism. Mount Longhu is regarded as a sacred mountain of Taoism and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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- Fast Facts about Longhu Mountain
- Why Longhu Mountain is So Important in Chinese Taoism
- Major Scenic Spots at Longhu Mountain
- Best Time to Visit
- How to Get to Longhu Mountain
- Recommended Hiking Routes
- Visit Longhu Mountain with China Xian Tour
Fast Facts about Longhu Mountain
- Location: 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) southwest of Yingtan City, Jiangxi
- Hours: 7:30 am-5:30pmApril to August, 8 am-5 pm September to March
- Tickets:
- CNY 135 for entry and sightseeing bus
- CNY 230 for entry, sightseeing bus, bamboo raft ride
- CNY 178 for Seeking the Dream of Longhu Mountain cultural performance
- Altitude: the highest Tianmen Mountain is 1,300 meters (4,265 feet)
- Best Time of the Year: March till November
- Recommended Visit Time: 1-2 days
- Suited to: hikers, photographers
Why Longhu Mountain is So Important in Chinese Taoism
Longhu Mountain is the birthplace of Chinese Taoism. The founder of Taoism, Zhang Daoli, achieved enlightenment here. It is said that in the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Daoli, along with his disciple Wang Chang, went to Longhu Mountain to build a hut and refine elixirs here. When the elixirs were complete, the dragon and tiger appeared. It is also the source of its name. So the mountain is considered as the sacred land for Taoism.
It is also the ancestral chamber of the Zhengyi sect of Taoism. To this day, the descendants of Zhang Daoli have been living here for a total of 36 generations over a period of more than 1,900 years. It has been the inheritance center for Taoist culture.
Besides, emperors of several dynasties bestowed titles upon it and offered support to build the temples. Together with the Confucius family, they are the two spiritual pillars of Chinese culture.
Major Scenic Spots at Longhu Mountain
1. Trace the Origin of Taoism
Shangqing Palace Scenic Area: Shangqing PalaceĀ was originally Tianshi Thatched CottageĀ built by Zhang Daoling, the founder of Taoism, in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is a Taoist place of worship, a significant architectural complex built on the traditions of ancient Chinese worship.
Shangqing Palace is one of the most important places of Taoism in Longhu Mountain. It is where Zhang Tianshi engaged in preaching and demonstrating Taoism, as well as other major religious activities. Therefore, it has been referred to as āthe head association of Taoismā and āthe place where gods reside.ā The complex has halls, pavilions, and courtyards. Its scale is among the most impressive in all of China.
TianshiĀ MansionĀ Scenic Area: Sihan Tianshi Mansion covers an area of 50,000 square meters and contains more than 500 houses. It is located in the central area of Shangqing town in Yingtan city, facing Pipa Peak, backed by Mount Huashan. Its gate is near the Luxi River.
Tianshi Mansion has of distinct Taoist style in its layout. It was where the high priests practiced their rituals and lived in the past dynasties. It was the ancestral home of the Zhengyi School of Chinese Taoism with a long history and prominent position.
āRelated reading:Ā 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
2. Admire China’s Danxia Landform
Fairy Water Rock Scenic Area: You can board a bamboo raft from the foot of Longhu Mountain and travel westward along Luxi river. Youāll find more than 100 peaks. The most famous ones among them are the 24 peaks known as Fairy Water Rocks, amazing caves formed by erosion.
In this scenic area, youāll also find the āTen Cannot Rocks,ā famous for their vivid shapes and positions. They each have fun and catchy names like the jade comb that cannot be used for combing, the fairy peach that cannot be eaten, the stone drum that cannot be beaten.
Elephantās Nose Mountain Pai Ya Rock Scenic Area: The unusual landscape of Elephantās Nose Mountain is a result of erosion and weathering. A stone beam, about 100 meters (328 feet) tall, looks as if it falls straight from the sky. And the whole mountain looks like a giant stone elephant drawing water with its hanging nose.
3. Marvel at the Ancient Cliff Tombs
Cliff Tombs Group Scenic Area: One of the most astounding sights to see for those who travel to Jiangxi is the cliff tombs of Longhu Mountain. There are hundreds of cliff tombs dating back more than 2,600 years, scattered on the cliffs of Fairy Water Rocks.
They sit inside caves which vary in size. So far, 39 coffins have been excavated, containing 16 sets of complete skeletons, over 200 pieces of pottery, green porcelain, silk linen fabrics, musical instruments, and wood bamboo, some of them being rare treasures.
These ancient tombs have been proven to be from the early Warring States Period. They have attracted archaeologists from home and abroad and hold great value in the study of Chinese ethnology, folklore, and archaeology.
4. Enjoy Cultural Shows and Performances
Learn about rich local history and culture on your Jiangxi tour at Longhu Mountain. There are daily performances of locals reenacting the process of putting up cliff tombs. They climb up the cliff without any tools or protection and have learned this skill from whatās been passed down across generations. Itās truly a wonder to behold in person.
Other than that, Seeking the Dream of Longhu Mountain is Chinaās first large-scale performance that takes nature as its stage, amongst the mountains and rivers. Youāll see actors in traditional costumes putting on a play about a story that takes place in Longhu Mountain.
Best Time to Visit
The scenery of Longhu Mountain varies a lot in the four seasons, so it is better to choose according to your own preferences. Spring and autumn both offer pleasant weather and are suitable for hiking and photography. In the two seasons, blooming flowers and red leaves are all over the mountain, respectively. In summer, the lush and green trees and woods and Luxi River make it an ideal summer resort. But an umbrella should be taken in case of sudden rainfall. If you want to avoid crowds, winter can be the best choice. During this time, the outline of the mountain and rock landscape is clearer and the sea of clouds appears occasionally. But some outdoor projects may be closed due to the weather.
How to Get to Longhu Mountain
By Flight: Take a flight to Sanqing Mountain Airport, which is about 130 kilometers (81 miles) from Longhu Mountain. Or fly into Nanchang Changbei International Airport, about 180 kilometers (112 miles) away. In both cases, head to Yingtan City first to get to Longhu Mountain.
By Train: There are two train stations in Yingtan City. Yingtan Railway Station is 50 minutes from Longhu Mountain by bus No. K2. Yingtan North Railway Station has high speed trainlines. It is about a 35-minute drive from Longhu Mountain.
By Coach: If you take a coach to Yingtan Coach Station, you can get to Longhu Mountain on bus No. K2.
Recommended Hiking Routes
To feel the cultural charm and explore the Danxia landform in Longhu Mountain, hiking is a highly recommended way. Here are the two suggested routes.Ā
Route 1: a light hike from Fairy Water Rock to Mosquito-Free Village
- Estimated duration: 3 – 4 hours
- Highlight: Luxi River, cliff tombs, promenade of bamboo forest, Mosquito-Free Village
- Best for: first-timers and tourists with limited time and strength
Route 2: a cultural in-depth tour from Shangqing Ancient Town to Elephantās Nose Mountain
- Estimated duration: about 5 hours
- Highlight: Shangqing Ancient Town, Shangqing Palace, Tianshi Mansion, Elephantās NoseMountain, high-altitude plank road
- Best for: first-timers with good strengthand interest in Taoism culture and geological wonders
Visit Longhu Mountain with China Xian Tour
When planning the tour to Longhu Mountain, you may already find that you need to transfer several times to get there and it is not very close to other nearby attractions. China Xian TourĀ is glad to assign a driver for you to ensure you have a seamless tour. We can also arrange a guide to introduce the Taoist culture deeply and vividly during the tour. Another highlight of us is that we are experienced in tailoring an itinerary to cover the nearby attractions so that you can enjoy a more abundant experience. So do not hesitate to contact us.
