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"Guilin's landscape is the best in the world, and Langshan's scenery rivals Guilin's." This casual remark by poet Ai Qing has become a folk song often repeated by the local people of Xinning County, Langshan, Hunan.
The best mountain is Mount Longshan.
Langshan does not refer to a specific mountain, but is a general term for the local mountains and waters, including six scenic spots: Bajiaozhai, Lajiao Peak, Fuyi River, Zixiadong, Tiansheng Bridge, and Tianyi Lane.
Langshancheck the details
Langshan Scenic Area, a classic example of Danxia peak forest landform, is a treasured gem renowned for its picturesque waters, stunning mountains, and unique caves. Langshan boasts six major scenic areas—Tianyixiang, Lajiaofeng, Fuyijiang, Bajiaozhai, Zixiadong, and Tianshengqiao—as well as 18 sub-scenic areas. Over 500 significant scenic spots have been discovered and named, including three major karst caves and a primeval forest. Covering a total area of 108 square kilometers, Langshan boasts a classic Danxia landform and is a rare, environmentally friendly natural landscape.
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It borders Guilin, Guangxi to the south and Zhangjiajie to the north. Langshan, with its typical Danxia landform, is known as the "Soul of Danxia and National Treasure" and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2010. Its Red Basin Danxia landform is the most complete in China.
Its unique geological structure, combining mountains, water, forests, and caves, is a classic example of Danxia peak forest landform. It is the largest Danxia landform scenic area in China and one of the few in the world. This world-class scenery is often overlooked by many tourists visiting Guilin.
More than 20 ethnic groups, including Han, Yao, Miao, and Zhuang, live here. The multi-ethnic mix and integration has created the unique and diverse customs and folkways here.
The girls of the Yao ethnic group in Langshan are particularly charming. They will sing a song to encourage tourists from afar to drink: "The bamboo tube is filled with wine, and I am here to toast my guests..."
This haunting Danxia landscape painting, coupled with the dreamy singing voices and simple folk customs of the Yao people, piece together the fascinating Longshan.
When you climb the winding plank road of Longshan, a series of colorful ink paintings quietly unfold before your eyes.
Climb to the top of the Chili Peak Scenic Area and overlook the pastoral scenery that cannot be appreciated from among the high-rise buildings on weekdays.
Surrounded by crowded mountains, there are scattered and well-organized stone field villages. Sometimes you can see villagers working from sunrise to sunset, creating a scene of paradise.
The Chili Peak on the Buddha's Head Mountain is straight up and down, with an absolute height of 180 meters. It is red in color and looks like a huge red chili pepper from a distance. It is commonly known as the "Fairy Pepper Drilling the Earth".
When the sun sets, we arrive at the filming location of the movie "Luo Jing Mountain". The clouds are illuminated red, and the atmosphere of Longshan Mountain under the rich colors is extraordinary.
Tips:
It takes about 1.5 hours to hike to the top (about 3km). You can also take the cable car up the mountain, which costs 90 yuan per person.
The highest peak is at Bajiaozhai in Langshan, and considering its scale and spectacular scenery, you must come to Ziyuan to appreciate it.
It takes about 40 minutes to hike to the foot of the mountain, where you can explore the Bajiaozhai scenery. However, if you are afraid of heights, be careful!
The most unique view of Longshan, “The No. 1 Alley in the World”, can be said to be the most stunning view in the world.
The alley is 233.8 meters long, with stone walls on either side ranging from 120 to 180 meters high. Its widest point is 0.8 meters, and its narrowest is only 0.33 meters. Becoming a time traveler, you carefully sidle through the alley, as the opposing walls press against you. This is a moment of danger and beauty, and looking up reveals a narrow passageway, a thrilling and fascinating experience.
When you reach the most dangerous part, you need to use your hands and feet to climb forward until you walk out of the long alley and see the light of day again. In an instant, you will feel as if you are in another world.
The "Whales Making Trouble in the Sea" at Bajiaozhai, the second most amazing sight in Langshan, is equally impressive.
Climbing up to the viewing platform of Bajiaozhai, you can see the Danxia group in Xinning, Hunan on one side and the Danxia mountain group in Ziyuan, Guangxi on the other. The red peaks and rocks rise from the ground between the two provinces.
The mountains appear and disappear in the misty sea, just like the scene of tens of millions of whales galloping and playing in the sea.
At present, there are two places in our country that are called "Dragon Head Incense". One is Nanyan of Wudang Mountain, which has been banned, and the other is Langshan, where incense is still popular today.
As everyone knows, burning incense and praying for a good omen is the norm, but burning incense in Bajiaozhai, Langshan is not easy.
At the steepest corner of Bajiaozhai, where the main peak is 818 meters above sea level, the cliff extends 50 meters away, shaped like a dragon with its head tilted up. The incense stand standing at the dragon's head is the Yuntai Temple Dragon Head Incense, which is known as the "No. 1 Incense in the World".
The ridge path leading to Longtou is only one foot wide, and incense burners must use their hands and feet. The difficult path to burn incense has given rise to the profession of "cliff flyer". Tourists who want to light a stick of incense must ask him for help.
The incense burners travel back and forth between the mountain ridges hundreds of times every day. They are accustomed to facing the abyss. Sometimes they even hang in the air between the cliffs and pose for fun. Their graceful movements are amazing.
Longshan, a national treasure located on the border of Guangxi and Hunan, is a paradise for many outdoor enthusiasts and one of the must-see spots for traveling in Hunan and Guangxi.
Want to explore more of Langshan? No problem!
You can choose to traverse Guangxi and Hunan, admire two World Heritage-level landforms, and visit the four villages of the Longji Rice Terraces, taking in the essence of cultural landscapes. Hiking in this outdoor paradise is an unforgettable experience.
The Longji Rice Terraces in Longsheng are one of the most spectacular rice terraces in the world. You can walk through one village after another and experience the customs of the Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities.
The entire village is located between terraced fields and mountains, and the scenery is quite spectacular. However, because it has not been developed much, few Chinese tourists come here.
Route reference: Guzhuang Village - Ping'an Village - Zhonglu Village - Dazhai, it is the most beautiful season, an in-depth tour of Longji Terraces
The entire hike follows a relatively gentle mountain path, primarily paved with bluestone, in excellent condition. Passing through forests and fields, you'll pass by wind and rain bridges, offering stunning vistas both near and far, perfect for photo opportunities. Zhongliu Village marks the halfway point of the hike. Nestled between two popular tourist destinations, this village of over 100 households offers a tranquil and rustic atmosphere. Enjoy a meal during the hike and chat with the locals. Dazhai, steeped in natural beauty and ancient charm, is a prime viewing spot for experiencing the ethnic charm of the Red Yao Terraces. Here, you'll witness layers of terraced fields rising like stairways to the sky, winding and flowing like flowing water, like a dragon guarding the site through the ages.
Slowly cycle along the Yulong River, take a boat trip, and enjoy a hidden gem.
This is definitely the best experience in Yangshuo in early autumn! The breeze is mixed with the fragrance of rice, and you can stop whenever you want to fully appreciate the charm of the Little Li River.
After a 7km ride, we switched gears! What's a must-do in Guilin? It has to be a bamboo raft. However, this raft isn't the electric raft you'd find on the Li River. It's powered by humans, offering a more natural, less noisy ride and a quieter environment.
From Longshan to Ziyuan, see the world-famous karst and Danxia landforms.
The pristine rural scenery beneath the karst peaks is primitive and simple.
The sunlight shines through the thin clouds onto the sea of clouds, dyeing the sea of clouds golden. Every moment is a beautiful work of art.
Xianggong Mountain, a niche online attraction, rose to prominence thanks to a photo taken by photographer Chen Yajiang in 1986. Since then, more and more people have flocked to the area, and the dreamlike, award-winning images have catapulted Xianggong Mountain to fame. The Li River makes a sharp bend here, somewhat reminiscent of Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. Combined with the shimmering waters and mountains, the shimmering clouds, and the cascade of sunrise and rain, the scene is a dreamlike spectacle not only experienced from a Li River cruise.
Take a hike through China's Danxia + karst landforms + Longji, one of the three largest terraced fields in China, and get to know Guilin in depth.
Bring your outdoor equipment and a beating heart, and join me on a Hunan-Guangxi journey!
