Things to do in Mount Hengshan
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Top 10 attractions in Mount Hengshan
Mount Hengshan
Located in Hengyang, Hunan Province, the Mount Heng Scenic Area includes the major attractions of Mount Heng and the Grand Temple of Mount Heng. The vegetation here is green and lush throughout the year, and there is a feeling of tranquility all around. Many temples dot the area, adding a pious tone to Mount Heng. The Grand Temple of Mount Heng at the foot of the mountain is an enormous group of ancient buildings in a palace style. It hosts a grand temple fair every year.Hengyang · 44.1 km from downtown
Nanyue Grand Temple
The Grand Temple of Mount Heng is located at the foot of Mount Heng. It has an expansive, palace-style layout. The main hall is dedicated to Zhurong, the Chinese god of fire. Zhurong is believed to have held the governmental office of Minister of Fire under the Yellow Emperor, and was also in charge of southern affairs. He was given the title “Divine Emperor of Mount Heng.” The square in front of the temple is used for traditional performances and burning incense. According to legend, Zhurong was always considerate to the needs of his subjects. Due to his popularity, the temple is always full of incense offerings.Hengyang · 42.3 km from downtown
Zhurong Peak
Zhurong Peak is the main peak of Mount Heng and one of the higher peaks among the 72, with an elevation of approx. 1,300 m. Zhurong Hall at the summit is the final destination for many pilgrims visiting Mount Heng. The history of the hall dates back to the Ming Dynasty, and the existing structure was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. Due to the high altitude and strong winds, the hall is built with granite walls and iron roof tiles, standing firm against the wind and snow atop the giant rocks at the summit. Inside, it is dedicated to the Fire God Zhurong, with incense burning year-round. Many pilgrims climb to the summit just to offer incense and pray for blessings here. Behind the hall is the Moon-Watching Terrace, and ancient inscriptions such as "Tiangen Yueku" and "Yimu Qianli" are scattered among the rocks at the summit. Most tourists take a vehicle to Nantian Gate and then walk along the stone steps for approx. half an hour to reach the summit. Standing at the summit and looking around, you can see winding peaks and vast forests, and it is especially easy to encounter a surging sea of clouds when the weather clears after rain. Near the summit, next to Shangfeng Temple, is the Sunrise Observation Deck, which is the traditional spot for watching the sunrise on Mount Heng. People wait here before dawn, and on clear mornings, you might even encounter the "Buddha's light" spectacle. In winter, the mountain is often covered with rime hanging from the branches.Hengyang · 46.2 km from downtown
Nanyueli
Nanyueli is located at the foot of Mount Heng in Hengyang, Hunan, and is a food and cultural block themed around "temple fair folk customs." It opened in the fall of 2024 and has now become a popular stop for many travelers after visiting Mount Heng. The block is centered on the "Nanyue Temple Fair" and is laid out with "one lake, one street, one island, one homestay, one tea house, one wild area, one theater, and one pier." Its imitation ancient architecture with flying eaves, along with rows of lanterns under the long corridors, captures the lively atmosphere of a temple fair within an approx. 800 m long old street. Hundreds of shops and stalls along the street feature specialty snacks, handicraft workshops, and intangible cultural heritage booths, where long queues for stinky tofu are the norm, and on the wooden stage at the crossroads, opera enthusiasts often perform to crowds of onlookers. Further in is the water alley, where small bridges and flowing water create a picturesque scene. At the end lies Jinyue Lake, which features a stage in the center. After nightfall, the lanterns light up one by one, and intangible cultural heritage performances like molten iron flower splashing and fire pot shows take turns on the lake. The molten iron is splashed into the night sky, turning into sparks that fill the air and pushing the nighttime atmosphere to a climax. Many travelers' itineraries involve hiking during the day and heading down to the block in the evening, just in time for the lights to come on. Those who enjoy photography can change into Hanfu and take pictures in the lantern corridor, on the water alley stone bridges, and at the lakeside pier. You can also take a cruise on the lake, which offers a different perspective for watching the performances.Hengyang · 40.2 km from downtown
Hengyang Water Curtain Cave
Shuilian Cave is located beneath the Zigai Peak of the Hengshan Mountains. Flowing through the cave until it overflows in a beautiful waterfall, the water of Shuilian Cave comes from the southern Zigai Peak. A Taoist Temple, Zhuling Palace, sits in front of Shuilian Cave. An alabaster white arched granite bridge with the three golden characters "水帘洞" (Shuilian Cave) can be used to cross the stream by visitors who are heading from Shuilian Cave to Jinniu Pond and Shuilian Waterfall. Cascading down the face of the cliff and splashing water all around, the waterfall is more than 50 meters high.Hengyang · 45.8 km from downtown
Nanyue Martyrs' Memorial Hall
The Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine, also known as the "Nanyue Hengshan Martyrs' Shrine," commemorates and buries Chinese soldiers who died on the main battlefields of the War of Resistance against Japan. Located near the "Yanshou Pavilion" at the foot of Xianglu Peak within the scenic area, it's about a one-hour walk from the main gate or a 10-minute shuttle bus ride. The shrine was completed on July 7, 1943, with a public memorial service held at the same time. The memorial hall was damaged by the Japanese army in 1944 and further severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution. The existing buildings were fully restored in 1992. The Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine is modeled after the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, consisting of a shrine and tombs. Along the central axis of the ancestral hall are the main buildings, including the Three-Arch Archway, the July 7th Memorial Tower, the Memorial Hall, the Memorial Pavilion, and the Ancestral Hall. When you arrive at the main gate of the Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Anti-Japanese War Martyrs Memorial Hall, you will see the five gilded characters "Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine," inscribed by Xue Yue, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Ninth War Zone. Passing through the main gate, you will see five cannonballs pointing straight to the blue sky—this is the July 7th Memorial Tower. The five cannonballs represent the unity of the Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, and other ethnic groups in their fight against the Japanese. In the Memorial Hall, you can see a 6-meter-high white marble stele, inscribed with Xue Yue's "Record of the Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Memorial Hall." The Memorial Pavilion in the Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Anti-Japanese War Martyrs Memorial Hall, officially named the "Anting Battle Memorial Pavilion," was built to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Anting during the Battle of Shanghai, a battle personally supervised by General Xue Yue. Inside the pavilion is a memorial stele inscribed with the words: "Visitors, please remove your hats in respect." After climbing more than two hundred steps, you will see the "Hall of Respect" with a gilded plaque reading "Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Memorial Hall for the War of Resistance Against Japan." Inside the hall are stone tablets recording the life stories of 37 generals who fought against the Japanese. Behind the Hall stands a huge white marble stele with the inscription "General Shrine of the Fallen Soldiers in the War of Resistance Against Japan" in the center.Hengyang · 43.9 km from downtown
Wanshou Big Tripod
Wanshou Big Tripod is located on Jiahe Peak, one of the 72 peaks of Mount Heng. Jiahe Peak corresponds to the Zhen star of the 28 constellations in Chinese astronomy, and since Zhen governs longevity, the peak is also known as the "Peak of Longevity." Surrounded by mountains, Jiahe Peak attracts celestial cranes and boasts breathtaking natural beauty with lush greenery, fragrant flowers, and an air of mystical elegance.Wanshou Big TripodIt stands atop the very spot. On the day this cauldron was completed, flocks of cranes flew in from all directions, soaring and diving in the sky to create a spectacle rarely seen by mortals. Ascend toWanshou Big TripodThe panoramic view of Nanyue's stunning scenery is breathtaking and uplifting. This cauldron stands 9.9m tall, symbolizing the ultimate unity of China, and weighs 56 tons, representing the harmonious unity of 56 ethnic groups in revitalizing the nation. Built at the turn of the millennium, it bears 10,000 variations of the Chinese character "longevity" in different calligraphic styles from various dynasties, ethnic groups, and contemporary Chinese descendants worldwide, hence its name "Longevity Grand Tripod”. Wanshou Big TripodThis cauldron, one of the highlights of Mount Heng, is cast from tin bronze and embodies the essence of China's profound longevity culture spanning thousands of years. “Wanshou Big TripodThe completion of this project further solidifies Mount Nanyue's status as the "Sacred Mountain of Longevity in China," attracting numerous domestic and international visitors to pray for blessings, seek longevity, and worship while sightseeing.Hengyang · 42.8 km from downtown
South Heaven Gate
Starting from Nanyue Temple, via the winding mountain road, and the Banshan pavilion, Nantianmen comes into view not far from the Yehou Academy. Nantianmen divides the Nanyue Hengshan Mountain in two. In ancient times, people said this marked the boundary between the world of mortals and the immortal beings. Below Nantianmen is a boat-shaped rock that looks like a boat sailing on the clouds with the stone archway of Nantianmen as its protruding masts. There are three gates in the archway: the left gate, middle gate and right gate, with three red Chinese characters: "South Sky Gate" on the middle gate, and two Chinese characters: "Move Cloud" and "Rain" on the left and right gates respectively. The handwriting is clear and striking.Hengyang · 45.7 km from downtown
Zhusheng Temple
Hengyang · 42.3 km from downtown
Shangfeng Temple
Shangfeng Temple is located at the foot of Zhurong Peak. It is the highest temple in Nanyue Hengshan. It was originally a Taoist temple. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he visited the temple and ordered it to be built and converted into a temple. It was named Shangfeng Temple. Shangfeng Temple was originally large in scale, with four halls in total. Unfortunately, a fire in 1950 reduced several halls to ashes.The Shangfeng Temple that tourists see today was built in the 1980s. It is not as big as before. Only the white marble plaque with the words "Shangfeng Temple" on the front seems to still tell people about the former glory of Shangfeng Temple. The main Buddhist buildings of Shangfeng Temple now include the mountain gate, the Great Hall, the Dharma Hall, the Sutra Library, the Guanyin Hall, the Amitabha Hall, etc. Among them, the rear hall Qitang was built in the Qing Dynasty. There is a couplet on the pillar of the hall: "Samadhi follows entering Samadhi, and the ten directions are always inhabited by the ten directions." Nowadays, there are morning and evening classes in the temple every day, and the monks in the temple will recite the Book of Songs during the morning and evening classes every day.Not far from Shangfeng Temple is Hengshan's Wangri Terrace, which is a good place to watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds in Hengshan Scenic Area.Hengyang · 46 km from downtown
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What travelers say about Mount Hengshan
_M1***00October 23, 2026
5.0
Hengshan Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful mountain under heaven. The entire hike, from top to bottom, took about seven hours with minimal stops except for taking photos. We happened to be there on a beautiful weekend, and the summit was packed with people, mostly those who had come by car. The Zhurong Temple was extremely popular with worshippers. It was definitely worth the trip.
Mount Hengshan
M22***03October 6, 2026
5.0
The Nanyue Grand Temple is wonderful! This place is one of the Five Sacred Mountains, and the Nanyue Grand Temple is located at the foot of Mount Heng. The incense here is particularly thriving, and there are incense vendors all over the foot of the mountain. I heard that this place is especially efficacious, and I will definitely make a special trip here next time!
Nanyue Grand Temple
不做牧云July 14, 2025
5.0
- 经典中线：胜利坊→华严湖→忠烈祠→祝融峰，距离约12公里，耗时4-5小时，石阶路为主，适合初次徒步者。- 风景最美线：梵音谷→华严湖→磨镜台→南天门→祝融峰，距离约15公里，耗时5-6小时，能欣赏溪流瀑布等美景，夏季清凉避暑。
Zhurong Peak
M23***22June 17, 2025
4.0
If you want to travel around and learn about folk customs! Or just take a walk around the rest area, it is worth recommending! As a reference for a big attraction, it is not recommended 😜
Nanyueli
噼里啪啦August 11, 2020
4.0
[Fun] Passing by a waterfall along the winding mountain road, it is extremely cool. An uncle sitting next to the prayer wheel driven by the water flow plays the violin while selling pears grown by his family. Facing the clear water, people also become clear-headed.
[Value for money] Good
Hengyang Water Curtain Cave
等风来，不如寻风去～October 11, 2024
5.0
Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine is located in Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area and is under the management of the scenic area. It is the place where the general tablets of the National Army's anti-Japanese martyrs are located. It is the place where the souls of the Chinese soldiers who fought in the Patriotic War of the Republic of China went to... Nanyue Hengshan is famous, and there are endless people visiting it every year, but the Martyrs' Shrine is deserted. Alas... They fought bloody battles in the rain of bullets to save the land of China, and their achievements are outstanding. They are heroes of the Chinese nation...
Nanyue Martyrs' Memorial Hall
Anonymous userMarch 24, 2026
5.0
Installed in the millennium year 2000, not a historical monument. Nevertheless, weighing 56 tons, the Wanshou Big Tripod “万寿大鼎” with 10,000 variations of the Chinese character “寿” (meaning longevity) written in different scripts is a beautiful and meaningful monument. Climb to the top of the tripod via a narrow spiral staircase to get an elevated view of the surroundings.
Wanshou Big Tripod
下一站8541September 2, 2022
5.0
The South Gate of Heaven was called Tianmenguan in ancient times. Since Mount Tai represented heaven in ancient times, the top of Mount Tai was the location of the Heaven.
There are four gates in the Heaven: East, West, South, and North. This gate faces south, so it is called "South Gate of Heaven". It is also the main entrance to the Heaven, leading directly to the Lingxiao Palace of the Jade Emperor, which is above the Nine Heavens (some say it is the Thirty-Six Heavens). In many myths and legends, the gods guarding the South Gate of Heaven have many names, such as the King of Growth, Wang Lingguan, the Four Marshals of Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Guan, Zhang Tianshi, and the Great General of Xuantian Shenwei (who was personally appointed by the Jade Emperor).
South Heaven Gate
博士小美女February 11, 2022
5.0
Zhusheng Temple is located on East Street, Nanyue Town, Nanyue District, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, about half a mile away from Nanyue Temple. It is one of the six major Buddhist monasteries in Nanyue. People at that time summarized the "Ten Scenes of Zhusheng": Measuring the Sun in the Central Pavilion, Twin Towers Soaring to the Sky, Pine Waves Floating on the Moon, Green Cypresses Tearing the Clouds, Monkeys Entering Meditation, Geese Accustomed to Listening to Sutras, Incense Scented by the Furnace, Automatic Mountain Bell, Yueyun Guangpomegranate, and Waterfall Flowing Kitchen, which shows the beauty of the scenery.
Zhusheng Temple
游侠半仙November 29, 2021
5.0
Shangfeng Temple is located on the side of Rongzhu Peak, the highest peak of Nanyue Hengshan Mountain. Since the temple was built during the Sui Dynasty, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. Unfortunately, a fire in 1950 reduced several halls to ashes. The current building was renovated in the 1980s. Only the white marble plaque engraved with "Shangfeng Temple" on the front seems to still tell people about the former glory of Shangfeng Temple.
[Scenery] Distinct four seasons,
[Fun] One of the key Han Buddhist temples in the country.
[Cost-effectiveness] High!
Shangfeng Temple
