Things to do in Ningyuan
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Top 10 attractions in Ningyuan
Jiuyi Mountain Scenic Area
Jiuyishan National Nature Reserve, located in Ningyuan County, Yongzhou City, about 30 km south of Ningyuan town, is steeped in ancient Chinese legends. It is said that Emperor Shun of antiquity was buried at the foot of the mountain. Over the centuries, numerous renowned poets and scholars have visited this site, leaving behind a wealth of literary works praising its beauty. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, emperors have either paid remote tributes to Emperor Shun or sent officials to worship on their behalf, resulting in numerous sacred relics, historical traces, and cultural artifacts. The Emperor Shun Mausoleum scenic area,Ningyuan Confucian TempleUnique cultural attractions like cliff carvings and inscriptions attract numerous visitors from around the world. This is one of the sources of the Xiang River, where lush forests thrive with unique vegetation like stone pines, fragrant firs, and mottled bamboo—collectively known as the "Three Treasures of Jiuyi." The scenic area is dotted with rivers and pools. Key attractions include the Emperor Shun Mausoleum Scenic Area, Purple Cloud Cave, Emperor Shun Temple Archaeological Site Park (Jade Tube Rock), and Ehuang Peak. Visitors can opt for a combo ticket covering all attractions or purchase individual admission tickets for specific sites like the Emperor Shun Mausoleum, Purple Cloud Cave, or Jade Tube Rock. The Shun Emperor Mausoleum attraction consists of two natural courtyards and nine individual structures, arranged from the exterior inward.Yudai BridgeThe complex features the Ceremonial Gate, Sacred Way, Mountain Gate, Qian Gate, Worship Hall, Main Hall, Resting Hall, left and right wing rooms, left and right stele rooms, stele corridors, all enclosed by palace walls on three sides.Shunyuan PeakYes, this onePianshan DistrictThe main peak is named after the legendary burial site of Emperor Shun at its foothills. Yongfu Temple within the attraction stands alongside the ancient Shun Temple. Built during the Southern Qi Dynasty (479 AD), Yongfu Temple boasts over 1,500 years of history, dating back to the same era as Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. Zixia Rock, located on the mountainside about 1 km south of the Shun Mausoleum Scenic Area, isKarst landscapeUnderground karst cave. The cave features exquisite stalactites and a crystal-clear stream flowing through its vast chambers, which are spacious enough to accommodate thousands of visitors. Located about 2 km south of Shunyuan Peak Scenic Area, Yuguan Rock is another limestone cave with the inscription "Yuguan Rock" written by Li Tingzu of the Song Dynasty above its entrance. The right wall bears carvings by Fang Xinru, the Song Dynasty governor of Daozhou.Jiuyi Mountain"Three large characters," inscribed alongside Cai Yong's "Jiuyi MountainThe "Inscription" and the calligraphy and poems by famous historical figures are carved on the cave walls, scattered across the cliff faces surrounding Yuguan Rock, forming an impressive collection of poetic inscriptions and stone tablets.Ningyuan · 23.3 km from downtown
Shundiling (Tomb of the Ruler of Shun) Tourist Site
Shundiling Tourist Site is located at Jiuyishan Mountain to the south of Ningyuan county, and belongs to the core tourist attractions of Jiuyishan. This is a temple complex dedicated to the sepulcher of Shundi (the ruler of Shun), one of the five ancestral forefathers of the Chinese people. The place boasts sites such as the tomb of Shundi, relevant stone carvings, historic relics, cliff inscriptions, as well as lake and mountainside views. The complex consists of Lingshan (the peak of Shunyuan), the temple of the tomb of Shun, the Path of Gods, and the burial site. This is a great tourist spot characterized by its vendent forests, fresh air, and a large number of historic sites.Ningyuan · 24 km from downtown
Purple Glow Rock
Purple Glow Rock, also known as Chonghua Rock, is an underground karst cave. The cave is divided into inner rock and outer rock. The rock at the entrance is majestic. In the cave, there are wind tunnels, rain holes, thunder holes, the Bayin Hall, and stalactites, which are famous for their large size and exquisiteness. The outer rock is broad with a bright purple roof. When the sun rises and shines on the roof, there will be purple air hovering around it, thus the name Purple Glow Rock.Ningyuan · 25.4 km from downtown
Ningyuan Confucian Temple
Ningyuan · 2.3 km from downtown
Sanfen Stone Scenic Area
Sanfen Stone, also known as Sanfeng Stone, is located at the southern end of Jiuyi Mountain in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province, with an altitude of 1,822 meters. It is the second highest peak in Jiuyi Mountain. It is said to be the place where Shun was buried, so it is also called Shunfeng, commonly known as Shungong Stone. Sanfenshibei is a large area of primitive secondary forest, covering an area of 5,680 hectares, which is the main area of Jiuyishan National Forest Park. There are 596 species of trees growing here, including 52 rare and excellent native tree species. There are two species of trees under national protection, namely Metasequoia and Money Tree; there are eight species of trees under second-level protection, such as Ginkgo, Fujian Cypress, and Bell-Ecalyx; there are more than 10 species of trees under third-level protection, such as Taxus, Lingchun Wood, Toona, and Southern Hemlock. There are as many as 14 species of trees under provincial protection. In that vast sea of forests, there are 104 species of various animals. Among them, there are 16 rare animals such as leopards, macaques, and hawk-billed turtles that are under national key protection. There are also many Yao compatriots scattered here. Their bamboo houses, stilt houses, beautiful costumes, colorful Yao songs and dances, melon baskets and fine wine, and delicacies from mountains and seas have enriched the life of this primitive secondary forest area. The Three Points Stone and the Incense Burner Stone are two pearls inlaid in the green ocean, which are fascinating and intoxicating. To the west of Sanfenshi, there is the Bamboo Forest Attraction, which covers more than 6,000 hectares and gathers more than 20 bamboo species. It is famous for its bamboo and is known as "China's unique bamboo". Jiuyi Bamboo has beautiful shapes and has always been cherished by people. Today, Jiuyi Mountain people use bamboo to make dragon head crutches, bamboo hanging plates, brushes and other handicrafts, which add color to Jiuyi Mountain with its unique charm and welcome visitors from all over the world together with the scenery and scenic spots of Jiuyi Mountain.Ningyuan · 30.3 km from downtown
Jiuyishan Xiaguan Sceneic Area
Ningyuan · 13.1 km from downtown
ning yuan shi li hua lang guan jing tai
Ningyuan · 13.3 km from downtown
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
The Elephant Hill Scenic Area is located in the heart of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. It derives its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the sweet waters of the Li River. In his work "Records of Elephant Hill," Shu Shu, a Qing Dynasty official from the Ministry of Works, wrote: "The marvels of Guangxi lie in its mountains; the marvels of Guangxi's mountains lie in their rocks, and the elephant-shaped hill facing the provincial capital is the most marvelous of all." With its lifelike form, the attraction captivates visitors and stands as a quintessential representation of Guilin's landscape. In 1995, it was designated as the city emblem of Guilin. The main attractions in the scenic area include: Elephant Hill and Water Moon, Puxian Pagoda, Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua Liquor, Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Love Island, and Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall. Elephant trunk hill and water moon cave "Elephant trunk hill and water moon" is a spectacular wonder here, as described in the poem by Ji Bei Hermit of the Song Dynasty.Harmony of water, moon and caveThe poem reads: "The moon is beneath the water, the moon floats upon the water. The water flows but the moon stays, the moon departs yet the water still flows." On a moonlit night, visiting the Water Moon Cave at the Elephant Trunk Hill attraction presents a magical scene where the moon in the sky, the cave, and the water reflect each other beautifully. Inside the cave, you can find the "Poem and Preface of the Morning Sun Pavilion" by Zhang Xiaoxiang from the Song Dynasty and works by Fan Chengda.Inscription on the water and moon caveAnd over 50 precious cliff carvings including Lu You's poetry manuscripts. Xiangshan scenic area - Puxian pagoda Winding up along the rocky cliffs, you can see the Puxian pagoda standing tall amidst the greenery from afar. Built during the Ming dynasty, this 13.6m-high solid brick lama-style pagoda has a history of over 400 years. On the northern side of the pagoda, there is a line-engraved bluestone statue of a bodhisattva, with the mantra "Namo Puxian Bodhisattva" inscribed above it, hence the name Puxian pagoda in the Xiangshan attraction. Buddhist scriptures record that Puxian bodhisattva's mount is a six-tusked white elephant, making the pagoda's location atop Xiangshan mountain a perfect embodiment of this scripture. Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua liquor This is a natural wine cellar, with two-thirds of the mountain being hollow. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a constant temperature of 19°C and humidity above 90% year-round. Since the Song Dynasty, it has served as an official cellar for storing Sanhua wine. Sanhua wine is colorless and transparent, with a fragrant yet spicy taste. It drawsLi RiverWith the essence of the mountains and the soul of the Li River, it has become a representative of China's rice-aroma liquor. The cellar liquor was designated as a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the three treasures of Guilin. To date, nearly a thousand tons of liquor are stored in the caves. Love island Love island is located on the north side of the attraction, adjacent toLi RiverIt is another scenic viewpoint for distant viewing. The island boasts a beautiful environment and lush vegetation, making it a popular dating spot for locals in the 1970s, hence the name "love island". Today, it serves as an outdoor photography base for wedding celebrations against the backdrop of Guilin's landscape, where couples make their vows of love under the witness of the elephant trunk hill and the moon reflected in the water.China · Guilin
xiao dong jiang
Ningyuan · 33.8 km from downtown
Li River Three-star cruise ship
Basic information about the three-star cruise The Li River cruise has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, setting new standards for high comfort, aesthetics, and personalized service. With star-rated cruises now fully equipped with Wi-Fi coverage and real-time networked security monitoring, these high-tech and safety features cater to diverse traveler needs. The upgrades fully incorporate environmental and cultural elements, showcasing Guilin's quality as an international tourist destination. Layout structure and decoration The three-star cruise has been designed with careful consideration of visitors' sightseeing experience and expectations, implementing strict regulations for cabins, seats, dining table specifications, and deck space per person. While using high-standard materials to enhance visitor comfort, it also provides more activity space. The upgraded cruise presents a new "one cruise, one view" concept that harmonizes with Guilin's magical landscapes, offering visitors an experience of "sailing through paintings, touring within scenery, with beauty both inside and outside the cruise." This creates a lower‑carbon, comfortable, and fantastically beautiful sightseeing experience. The three-star cruise features double-deck cabins and double-deck promenade decks with spacious views, providing at least 0.9㎡ of space per person. The deck is equipped with a sunshade and surrounded by 1.2m-high aluminum alloy safety railings. Meal The three-star cruise ship meals meet the standards of airline or high-speed rail prepared meals, featuring standardized production from a central kitchen and cold chain logistics throughout transportation. After secondary heating, the meals are distributed to visitors, ensuring food hygiene with all tableware being recycled and biodegradable. By implementing unified meal distribution, this approach addresses the emission pollution caused by cooking on older Li River cruises and resolves the frequent visitor complaints about cruise dining quality over the years.China · Lingchuan
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What travelers say about Ningyuan
铁马秋風August 25, 2026
5.0
Mount Jiuyi is the final resting place of Emperor Shun of the Yu clan. It is solemn and dignified, backed by Shunyuan Peak and facing Ehuang Peak. The mountain is majestic and the scenery is beautiful. When you climb up, you can see the magnificent world!
Jiuyi Mountain Scenic Area
gz伊妹儿June 12, 2021
5.0
The Shun Emperor Mausoleum Scenic Area has pleasant scenery and pure natural landscape that is refreshing. Now is the season of bayberry. It is a good choice to experience the fun of picking bayberry, which gives you a refreshing feeling.
Shundiling (Tomb of the Ruler of Shun) Tourist Site
木易真人May 11, 2023
4.0
Zixia Rock is one of the scenic spots in Jiuyi Mountain, and tickets are sold separately. It is said that Xu Xiake had been here, so there is a statue of Xu Xiake at the entrance of the scenic spot. The scenic spot is called Zixia Rock, but it is actually a cave with some characteristics. It is called Zixia Rock because it is said to emit purple light. Visitors need to be led by staff to visit the cave. Individuals are not allowed to enter independently, and free tourists have to wait until tourists who have purchased tickets can enter with them, which is a bit unsatisfactory.
Purple Glow Rock
吴立珍February 12, 2020
4.0
The Confucian Temple in Ningyuan County, Hunan Province is also known as the Xuegong. People pray for their families here. Although the attraction is not large, people can immerse themselves in it naturally. The carvings here are definitely a major attraction. The hand-carving skills from ancient times to the present are simply superb.
Ningyuan Confucian Temple
努力的三号November 29, 2020
4.0
The location is Sai Van Plaza, which is in front of the Macau Tower. It is also a large square with a sea view. There are about 100 merchants on the venue, which can be regarded as a collection of the more outstanding shops in Macau.
Sanfen Stone Scenic Area
M31***89September 24, 2024
5.0
Combining natural scenery and cultural landscape, the village is quaint and the dishes at Guanxi Winery are also very distinctive.
Jiuyishan Xiaguan Sceneic Area
小卫实习生February 22, 2026
5.0
Just navigate to the Ten-Mile Gallery; it's easy to find. The ground level is a parking lot, and the platform above is a viewing platform.
ning yuan shi li hua lang guan jing tai
M45***48September 25, 2026
5.0
When visiting Guilin, a must-see is Elephant Trunk Hill, the city's iconic landmark. It truly lives up to its reputation as the face of Guilin's landscape; only by seeing it in person can one truly appreciate the wonders of nature. The entire mountain sits on the banks of the Li River, resembling a giant elephant bowing to drink from the water. The Water Moon Cave cuts through the mountain, its reflection shimmering in the water, creating the famous Elephant Trunk Hill and Water Moon spectacle—a flowing ink painting.
The scenic area is clean and comfortable, with walking paths built along the Li River, shaded by lush trees, making for a delightful stroll. You can climb the mountain for panoramic views of Guilin, or find classic vantage points along the riverbank to capture stunning, atmospheric photos. Boat trips are also available, offering a different and breathtaking perspective of Elephant Trunk Hill from the river.
The scenic area is conveniently located in the city center, with excellent transportation and comprehensive facilities. Every step reveals a new vista, allowing you to truly experience the unparalleled beauty of Guilin's landscape. Don't miss it when traveling to Guilin; it's definitely worth a visit.
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
Anonymous userOctober 23, 2026
5.0
If you want to travel the entire Li River to Yangshuo, taking this boat is highly recommended. The scenery along the waterway is beautiful, the boat facilities are new and comfortable, and the staff are very warm and attentive.
Li River Three-star cruise ship
