Recommended tourist attractions in Nanyue Hengshan, including one- and two-day itineraries

Preface

When visiting Nanyue Hengshan, you should first know that Nanyue has eight unique scenic spots: the height of Zhurong Peak, the beauty of the Sutra Library, the depth of Fanguang Temple, the seclusion of Magu Fairyland, the wonder of Water Curtain Cave, the antiquity of the Dayu Monument, the majesty of Nanyue Temple, and the danger of Huixian Bridge. These eight unique attractions are all worth visiting.

Hengshan is also a renowned Taoist and Buddhist holy site in China, with over 200 temples, monasteries, nunneries, and shrines surrounding the mountain. Zhurong, the popular god of fire, is the deity of Hengshan. He was appointed by the Yellow Emperor to guard the mountain and teach the people how to use fire and nurture all things. After his death, he was buried on the Red Emperor Peak of Hengshan and is revered by the locals as the Holy Emperor of Nanyue. Devout Taoists and Buddhists consider Hengshan their home, contributing to its appeal.

Of course, some people also come to Nanyue for its delicious cuisine. The main reason for its deliciousness is the quality of the ingredients and the craftsmanship. Nanyue has no factories and is pollution-free. Vegetables, fruits, chickens, ducks, pigs, cattle, and fish are all grown and raised by farmers, who are largely self-sufficient. The locals enjoy a slow pace of life, leaving them plenty of time to explore their food. Consequently, Nanyue cuisine is quite popular.

(Pictures from the Internet)

Transportation

First, let’s talk about transportation. After all, this is something many people will consider before traveling.

High-speed train

The high-speed rail reaches the Nanyue Scenic Area at Nanyue Hengshan: Hengshan West.

Hengshan West Station—The closest high-speed rail station to the Nanyue Scenic Area. Take a bus to Nanyue for 6 yuan per person (25 minutes), or take a regular taxi for 15-20 yuan per person and share a ride.

Tips:

Special reminder: don’t take cheap taxis, and don’t get in taxis that cost 5 yuan or 10 yuan easily.

If you can't buy high-speed rail tickets at Hengshan West Station during the peak season, you can go to Hengyang East Station instead. However, Hengyang East Station in the city center is still 60 kilometers away from Hengshan. You can take the "Hengyang-Nanyue Scenic Area" direct bus from Hengyang Central Bus Station, which costs about 20 yuan per person, with a trip every 15 minutes, and a total of about 55 minutes' drive.

airplane

To visit the Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area from various cities across China, fly to Changsha Huanghua Airport, take the airport shuttle or taxi to Changsha South High-Speed Railway Station, and then take the high-speed rail to Hengshan West Station. Transfers to Hengshan West Station follow the same route as above.

train

Friends who travel by train can buy train tickets from "Hengshan Railway Station" or "Hengyang Railway Station". Hengshan Station is 20 kilometers away from Hengshan Scenic Area, and Hengyang Station is in the city center and 50 kilometers away from Hengshan Scenic Area. After the train arrives at the station, you need to transfer to a bus to reach Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area. The method is as follows.

Hengshan Railway Station - Take a direct bus from Hengshan Railway Station to Nanyue (6 yuan per person) to the Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area. If you arrive in Hengshan at night, we recommend taking a taxi to Nanyue.

PS: The taxi fare is about 15 yuan per person or 60 yuan per car. The price is charged by the meter. If it is the off-season, you can bargain with the driver.

Tips:

Kind tips:

When asking for directions, taking a bus, or buying a ticket, be sure to clearly state that you are going to the "Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area" rather than just "Hengshan." Locally, Hengshan refers to Hengshan County.

From Hengyang Railway Station, take bus No. 118 to Hengyang Central Bus Station. From there, take the express bus for 19 yuan per person to the Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area (no buses depart from the Central Bus Station after 6:00 PM). If you arrive in Hengyang in the evening, we recommend taking a taxi to the Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area. (Taxis cost approximately 30-40 yuan per person for a shared ride or 100-150 yuan per chartered ride. During the off-season, you can negotiate the price with the driver.)

Mountain climbing and viewing the scenery

(Pictures from the Internet)

sunrise

If you want to see a brighter sunrise or take clearer photos of the sunrise, it is recommended that you go between mid-May and August.

Tips:

Sunrise and sunset schedule for Nanyue Hengshan:

January: sunrise 6:45, sunset 17:13;

February: sunrise 6:25, sunset 17:32;

March: sunrise 6:03, sunset 17:54;

April: sunrise 5:39, sunset 18:19;

May: sunrise 5:18, sunset 18:39;

June: sunrise 5:07, sunset 18:50;

July: sunrise 5:12, sunset 18:46;

August: sunrise 5:29, sunset 18:29;

September: sunrise 5:52, sunset 18:05;

October: sunrise 6:16, sunset 18:41;

November: sunrise 6:38, sunset 18:07;

December: sunrise 6:50, sunset 18:10;

For reference only, it is best to check the weather conditions the day before your trip.

(Pictures from the Internet)

sea of clouds

The highest rates of sea of clouds are seen in winter and spring, from December to June. The rainy season, from March to April, is also the peak season for sea of clouds. Following rain or snow, large areas of beautiful sea of clouds often appear, creating spectacular sunrises.

(Pictures from the Internet)

cedar

Mount Hengshan in Nanyue has always been known as "the most beautiful snow-viewing destination in southern China". You can experience the ice and snow world of the south and admire the wonders of rime and icicles.

Starting in December, when cold fronts arrive, the temperature difference between the top and base of Hengshan Mountain can reach over 10 degrees Celsius in the summer, and even more so in spring and autumn. Therefore, temperatures at the summit are likely to drop below freezing. Therefore, even if the foot of the mountain is lush and green, frost will form on the summit, with a high probability of icicles and snow. January and February are the coldest months, so if you're looking to see rime and icicles, consider a trip there.

How to arrange your itinerary reasonably

The arrangement of the Nanyue Hengshan travel itinerary is inseparable from the travel purpose, travel plan time, and arrival time in Nanyue.

Simply climbing without catching the sunrise

1. If you arrive at Nanyue before 10 am on the same day and return the next day, it will take a whole day. It is recommended to take a mountain bike up and walk down. When you walk down, be sure to use the main line to go down the mountain.

2. If you arrive at Nanyue in the afternoon and return the next afternoon, it is recommended to visit the Wanshou Cauldron or Water Curtain Cave at the foot of the mountain that afternoon and start hiking early the next day. Depending on your return time, you can choose to take a car up and down the mountain, or take a car up and walk down the mountain.

3. If you have two full days, it is recommended to walk up and down the mountain.

Mountain climbing to watch the sunrise

It is recommended to stay in the mountains that night. Remember to bring a power bank, a flashlight, and a long-sleeved jacket according to the season. Because you want to catch the sunrise, you must set off in the early morning, when the mountain is very cool.

Burning incense + mountain climbing

1. If you arrive at Nanyue before noon on the same day and return the next afternoon, it is recommended that you burn incense at the Nanyue Temple and the God of Wealth Temple at the foot of the mountain that day, then go to the Wanshou Ding or Water Curtain Cave in the afternoon, and then go hiking the next day. Depending on your return time, you can choose to take a car up and down the mountain, or take a car up and walk down the mountain.

2. If you have two full days, you can burn incense at the Nanyue Temple and the God of Wealth Temple at the foot of the mountain in the morning, go to the Wanshou Ding or the Water Curtain Cave in the afternoon, and then climb the mountain and burn incense at Zhurong Peak the next day.

3. If you are going round trip on the same day, it is recommended to cancel the mountain climbing plan and burn incense at the Nanyue Temple and the God of Wealth Temple at the foot of the mountain. Don't be too rushed when burning incense and worshiping Buddha at Nanyue Hengshan.

(Pictures from the Internet)

Recommended one-day tour routes

Pay incense at the God of Wealth Temple in Nanyue Grand Temple → Martyrs' Shrine → Xuandu Temple → Bamboo Forest Taoist Temple → Lion Rock → Shangfeng Temple → Huixian Bridge → Nantianmen → Walk to Zhurong Peak → Return.

It's best to take a mountain bike up and down the mountain. A day trip is enough to see all the attractions in the scenic area, but time will be a bit tight. If you have time, it is recommended to stay for two days to fully experience Nanyue's Buddhist and Taoist culture and spectacular scenery.

(Pictures from the Internet)

Recommended two-day tour routes

Conventional scenic route (going up and down the mountain by car)

Day 1: God of Wealth Temple → Nanyue Grand Temple → Wanshou Cauldron → Shuilian Cave → Zhusheng Temple (stay in Nanyue Town);

Day 2: Mountain climbing (take a bus from the Tourist Service Center) → Martyrs' Shrine → Xuandu Temple → Magu Fairyland → Lingzhi Spring → Mojingtai → Fuyan Temple → Nantai Temple → Sutra Hall → Nantianmen → Walk to Shangfeng Temple → Zhurong Peak → Return (by bus)

Classic Scenic Area Hiking Route (Zen Route)

Day 1: Central Scenic Area → Martyrs' Shrine → Banshan Pavilion → Xuandu Temple → Xiangnan Temple → Zushi Hall → Nantianmen (stay at Nantianmen)

Day 2: Nantianmen → Lion Rock → Shangfeng Temple → Zhurong Temple (down the mountain) → Nantianmen → Folk Culture City → Sutra Hall → Nantai Temple → Huangting Temple → Foot of the Mountain

Zeng Guofan Ancient Road

(For hundreds of years, this road has been known as the "Heavenly Pilgrimage Road" by pilgrims. It is rarely visited by tourists and is paved with cobblestones. The road is winding and dangerous, but the scenery is superb.)

Day 1: Hongqi Village → Baoxinling → Enter the scenic area through Huixianqiao ticket gate → Huixianqiao → Zhurong Peak → Nantianmen (stay at Nantianmen)

Day 2: Nantianmen → Zushidian → Xiangnan Temple → Xuandu Temple → Banshan Pavilion → Martyrs' Shrine → Foot of the Mountain

(Pictures from the Internet)

stay

1. If you plan to climb the mountain to watch the sunrise, it is recommended to rent a tent on the mountain, at the temple, or at the top of the mountain. The signal on the mountain is generally poor.

Accommodation on the mountain: The main locations are the Martyrs' Shrine, Banshan Pavilion, and Yehou Academy. All three offer pick-up service from the foot of the mountain. A few accommodations are also available near Nantianmen and the Sun Observation Terrace, which are closer to the terrace and are also good options. There are many tents available for rental at the summit, and you can choose your own.

2. If you plan to hike or worship Buddha, it's recommended to stay at the foot of the mountain for greater convenience. Consider staying near the Nanyue Hengshan Memorial Archway, South Street, or family-run hotels near Zhurong Road. This area is the bustling heart of Nanyue Hengshan, offering convenient transportation for dining, shopping, visiting attractions, and getting to the Nanyue Bus Station. Prices are also reasonable.

Clothing

Summer: For mountain dwellers, although the temperature there is about 10 degrees Celsius lower than at the foot of the mountain, short-sleeved shirts and long pants are recommended. Daytime hiking is comfortable, so no extra layers are needed. However, it can get a bit chilly at night, so a light jacket is recommended. Also, mosquitoes are common in the trees, so children and the elderly should be aware of the need for mosquito repellent.

Winter: You'll need wool pants, fleece pants, a fleece jacket, a thick sweater (preferably a down jacket), a windproof and rainproof jacket, and ideally, a wicking bra. If you don't have one, bring a change of underwear. A windproof hat and gloves are also essential, and a walking stick is helpful. Generally speaking, it's not cold during the daytime, but it gets chilly when you stop, so be sure to keep warm.

Essential equipment: backpack, hiking shoes or sports shoes (as non-slip as possible), toiletries, valid ID, mobile power bank, waterproof bag, thermos cup, etc.

gourmet food

Nanyue Hengshan is renowned for its delicious cuisine. One netizen commented, "Nanyue's local dishes are fragrant, spicy, and delicious. Eating Nanyue's food makes even your burps smell good!" Nanyue was also designated the first "Chinese Vegetarian Hometown" by the Chinese Culinary Society.

Local specialties include fermented bean curd, cloud tea, fried tofu, and goose mushrooms. Fermented bean curd and cloud tea can be purchased at supermarkets, while fried tofu and goose mushrooms can be purchased at the Nanyue Vegetable Market.

The first and sixth day of every lunar month is the Nanyue market day, where you can buy many authentic agricultural products and unexpected goodies. The market is usually set up on Lianhua Road and Duxiu Road.

Conclusion

Whether it's the sunrise over the sea of clouds, the rime and icicles, the wonders of ice and snow, or the local delicacies, Hengshan is worth a visit. Of the Five Great Mountains of China, Hengshan feels like walking, Taishan feels like sitting, Huashan feels like standing, and Songshan feels like lying, but only Nanyue feels like flying.