Written by Veronica |
Located in Lushan City, Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, Lushan MountainĀ is a historically and culturally significant mountain, bordered by the Yangtze RiverĀ to the north and adjacent to Poyang Lake to the east. This mountain is dotted with numerous scenic spots and historical sites. Over the centuries, countless scholars, poets, and famous personalities have left behind an immense collection of paintings, calligraphy, and widelyĀ praisedĀ literary works.
It is a famous tourist destination and summer resort in China, and in 1996, it was listed as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage site. Known for its grandeur and steepness, Mount LuĀ is characterized by many cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and misty clouds. Besides, most of the peaks of Lushan MountainĀ are above 1,000 meters in altitude, with the main peak, Hanyang Peak, standing at 1,474 meters.
Lushan Mountain Facts
- Type: Mountains; World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site; China National AAAAA Tourist Attractions
- Location: 19 Hexi Road, Guling Town, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province; 36 kilometers south of Jiujiang City
- Opening Time: All day long
- Time Needed: 2 days
- Best Time to Visit: Summer
- Suited to: Nature lovers, hikers, photographers, and anyone fond of Chinese history and culture
- Ticket: CNY 160 per person (valid for 7 days)
How Lushan Mountain Was Formed – the Geology
There are horst type fault block mountain and Quaternary glacial remains, Quaternary glacial stratigraphic section and early proterozoic Xingzi group stratigraphic section in Mount Lushan. So far, more than 100 important glacial geological relics have been found in Lushan Mountain, which have completely recorded the whole process of ice and snow accumulation, glacier formation, glacier movement, rock erosion, rock transport, and mud and gravel deposition, and are historical records of paleoclimatic changes and geological characteristics in eastern China.
Top Things to Do on Lushan Mountain
1. Hike the Lushan Mountain
Lushan MountainĀ is a paradise for hikers, and it offers various hiking routes for tourists, among which the most famous and popular one is the Haohanpo Route. Mainly consisting of stone steps and relatively steep, this route allows you to enjoy the transition from urban landscapes to picturesque mountain scenery.
2. Take a Stroll to Explore the Ruqin Lake
Built in 1961, Ruqin Lake in Lushan Mountain National ParkĀ is named for its surface, which resembles a violin. In the middle of the lake is an oval-shaped island, with a zigzag bridge connecting the island to the lakeshore. Take a leisure walk along the winding lanes by the lakeside, and youāll be amazed by the picturesqueĀ views of the surroundings.
3. Marvel at the Magnificent Sandiequan Waterfall
Also known as “Kuanglu Waterfall,” the Sandiequan Waterfall, or Three Tiled Waterfall, is praised as the “First Wonder of Mt. Lushan.” There is a popular saying among the locals: “If you haven’t visited the Sandiequan Waterfall, you haven’t truly experienced Lushan Mountain.ā
The water flows out from Dayue Mountain, passes the Five Old Men Peaks, pours over the northern cliff into a large rock below, then cascades down to the second tier of large rocks, and finally sprays onto the third tier of rocks, forming three tiers, hence its name. Amazingly, the waterfall is incredibly majestic, with a total drop of 155 meters.
4. Admire the Five Old Men Peaks
With an elevation of 1,436 meters and a height of 194 meters, the Five Old Men Peaks are the most majestic and perilous spots on Mount Lu in China. They connect with Poyang Lake at their base and reach up to touch the sky, featuring bizarre and varied rock formations. Visiting there, you’ll also discover the peculiar trees and many inscriptions on the stones along the way.
5. Enjoy the Beautiful Sunrise at Hanpo Pass
Hanpo Pass is located in a mountain pass on the southeastern Hanpo Ridge of Lushan Mountain, with an elevation of 1,286 meters. Surrounded on three sides by mountains and facing a lake on one side, the three peaks here are connected in a way that resembles a giant open mouth, as if yearning to drink the waters of Poyang Lake, hence the name Hanpo Pass.
Hanpo Pass is one of Chinaās top ten sunrise viewing spots, with the best vantage point being Hanpo Pavilion. Climbing up the pavilion in the early morning, you can enjoy panoramic views of the lake and mountains as well as the sunrise and the sea of clouds of Mount Lu.
6. Visit the White Deer Cave Academy
The White Deer Cave Academy is also a must-visit attraction on your Lushan Mountain tours. Situated on the sunny side of Houping Mountain, at the southern foot of Lushan’s Five Old Peaks, the academy is built against the mountain, with clusters of pavilions and gardens nestled among towering ancient trees.
As one of the important birthplaces of Chinese education, it was considered one of the “Four Great AcademiesĀ in China,ā along with Yuelu Academy, Yingtianfu Academy, and Songyang Academy. Touring there, youāll admire its unique architectural structures.
Lushan Mountain Cloud Tea
Lushan Mountain is not only famous for its waterfalls and cliff stone carvings, but also for the Lushan CloudĀ Tea, one of the ten most famous teas in China. Its tea, referred to as “cloud fairy tea,” is a unique variety of green tea that featuresĀ colour green soup, smells fragrant, andĀ tastesĀ mellow.
The planting of Lushan CloudĀ Tea began in the Han Dynasty, when Master Huiyuan of Donglin Temple led monks to open up tea gardens and create the tradition of “zen tea blindly”. Lushan tea reached its first peak in the Song Dynasty and was listed as a royal tribute.
The unique quality of Lushan Yunwu tea comes from the perfect combination of the “golden tea belt” at 29Ā° north latitude and the three-dimensional ecosystem. The average annual temperature is 11.4ā, the annual fog day is 191 days, the diffuse light accounts for more than 60%, and the average daily light of tea tree is only 5 hours.
Best Time to Visit Lushan Mountain
Lushan MountainĀ shows different charms at different times, and it welcomes visitors all year round. Since it is a summer resort, the best time to visit there is in summer when the climate is pleasant and cool for escaping the heat. During this time, you can see the magnificent waterfall and join outdoor activities like boating and rafting.
How to Get to Lushan Mountain
By Flight:Ā Jiujiang Lushan Airport operates flights to Beijing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, and some other cities in China. Take a flight to Lushan if there are, and then take a taxi to the Lushan MountainĀ National Park.
By Train: Lushan has a railway station that offers trains connecting to major cities in China. You can take a high-speed train to Lushan from Beijing (5 hours), ShanghaiĀ (5 hours), Guangzhou (5 hours), and XiāanĀ (7-8 hours). After you arrive at the Lushan Railway Station, take a direct bus to the Cableway Station of Mount Lushan, then take a cableway to the scenic area. Besides, you can also take a taxi to the south gate of it, then take the sightseeing bus to Guling Town to explore the scenic area.
Attractions nearby Lushan Mountain
- Tengwang Pavilion: As one of the four great towers in China and a landmark building of Nanchang, this attraction boasts an integrated architectural style from multiple dynasties, which is worth visiting on your Jiangxi tours.
- Poyang Lake: Located near Lushan Mountain, Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and the largest wintering habitat for migratory birds in the world.
- JingdezhenĀ Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum: With a ceramic production history of over 1,700 years, Jingdezhen hasĀ produced countless exquisite porcelain pieces, and this museum is the best place to learn about porcelain history and production.
