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I wonder how many people, like me, first learned about Lushan from elementary school textbooks. So I have always kept Lushan in my heart, looking forward to meeting Lushan again one day and seeing its true face.
Do you know how much scholars and poets love Mount Lu? Throughout history, over 3,000 scholars and poets have left over 10,000 poems and lyrics about Mount Lu. A contemporary literary giant would be embarrassed to greet others if they didn't leave behind a piece of calligraphy about Mount Lu.
Over 3,000 literati and scholars throughout history became internet celebrities of their time. While composing poems and essays about Mount Lu, they also started livestreaming their promotions. Perhaps Mount Lu is the original internet-famous attraction, even its forerunner.
Without further ado, let’s pack our bags and head to Mount Lushan.
Lushancheck the details
Mount Lu, also known as "Kuang Lu," is located in Lushan District, Jiujiang City, in northern Jiangxi Province, south of Jiujiang County and west of Xingzi County. Renowned for its unique beauty, ruggedness, and grandeur, the mountain, river, and lake seamlessly blend into one, earning it the reputation of "Kuang Lu, the most picturesque and picturesque mountain in the world." Long known as the "immortal's abode," Mount Lu boasts 12 scenic areas, 37 scenic spots, and 230 scenic features. Key scenic spots include Wulao Peak, Sandiequan, Hanpokou, Lulin Lake, and Donglin Temple. A horst-block mountain, it boasts rugged exteriors and beautiful interiors, with a forest coverage rate of 76.6%.
4954 recommendations, 3487 visits
Day 1: Self-drive from Jiujiang Station to Lushan - Check-in at Lushan Museum - Lulin Lake (Lulin Bridge) - Guling Street
Dinner: New Zuishi Hotel
Accommodation: Yuetong Villa, Lushan
Day 2 San Diequan-Ruqin Lake
Dinner: Watt's Music Restaurant
Accommodation: Yuetong Villa, Lushan
Day 3: Pokou-Wulao Peak-Jinxiu Valley
Accommodation: Yuetong Villa, Lushan
Jiujiang cuisine tends to be spicy and salty, but Lushan, a destination known for its scenic beauty and tranquility, seems to have found its culinary secrets. Daily, it welcomes a flood of tourists, and its cuisine has a firm grasp of flavors. Unless you specify otherwise when ordering, the food is typically light and slightly spicy.
Of course, if you have a preference for the taste of the food, you can contact the store directly when ordering. In a short while, the food you like will be served steaming hot.
Lushan potatoes are a specialty. After peeling the skin, you can cook them in various ways, such as frying, stir-frying, deep-frying, braising, or stewing. Each one is very tasty and looks great on the plate. They are small in size and you can eat one in one bite, which is very delicious.
I also recommend you to try the mountain spring tofu and fish head soup. If I had to describe them in two words, they would be fresh and fragrant.
During our visit to Lushan, we stayed at Yuetongzhuang, located near Guling Street. Guling Street is the heart of Guling Town and a popular tourist destination. Despite its bustling crowds, it's filled with a slow-paced, cultural atmosphere. As night falls and the lights come on, strolling along Guling Street, stopping to relax, is a truly relaxing experience.
Lushan Grand Entrance Ticket 160 yuan
Sightseeing bus ticket is 90 yuan (including going up and down the mountain. If you drive yourself, you can also buy a sightseeing bus ticket at the sightseeing station on the mountain. The ticket is 70 yuan and is valid for seven days. Note: If you drive yourself up to Lushan, there is a vehicle fee of 45 yuan.)
The San Diequan Cable Car Ticket is: 80 yuan round trip
Lushan has two main gates, the North Gate and the South Gate. For those coming from Jiujiang City or Jiujiang Railway Station, it is more convenient to enter the mountain through the North Gate, as it is shorter.
If you get off the train at Lushan Station or enter the mountain from Changbei Airport, you can choose to go up Nanshan Mountain.
Lushan scenic spots can be divided into two lines: east and west:
The western route includes Ruqin Lake, Flower Path, Sky Bridge, Jinxiu Valley, Dangerous Peak, and Fairy Cave. Meilu Villa, Lulin Lake, and Lushan Museum are also included in the western route.
The eastern route includes the Pokou Pass, Botanical Garden, Wulao Peak, and San Diequan. Tickets are free to visit San Diequan from Lushan, but you do need to buy a ticket if you are going down the mountain to visit San Diequan.
From acquaintance to understanding, the only thing between you and Lushan is a museum. If you are visiting Lushan for the first time like me, I recommend you start your visit at the Lushan Museum.
Of course, no matter how many times you come to Lushan, I recommend you to come here for a visit. Every time you come here, you will have a deeper understanding of Lushan.
The Lushan Museum is located in the eastern valley of Guling Mountain, on the shores of Lulin Lake and at the foot of Jiuqi Peak. Also known as Lulin No. 1 Villa, the single-story, flat-roofed villa, built in 1961, features an inner courtyard. It was converted into the museum in 1984. Within the courtyard, verdant pines and cypresses, fragrant flowers, and grasses create a tranquil and beautiful environment.
The museum's collection bears witness to the glorious history and culture of Mount Lu. There are ancient bronzes and ceramics from past dynasties unearthed locally and collected from other places, rubbings of inscriptions on Mount Lu by famous Tang and Song calligraphers such as Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, Mi Fu, and Huang Tingjian, and scrolls of calligraphy and paintings by famous Ming and Qing calligraphers and painters such as Tang Yin, Zheng Banqiao, and Zhu Da. The most precious are the "Picture of Five Hundred Arhats", the "Avatamsaka Sutra" written in blood, and crystal Buddhist beads, all of which are national first-class cultural relics.
I recommend you to focus on visiting the Celebrities and Lushan Exhibition Hall.
Mount Lu, a sacred mountain for humanities, has captivated the world since the Western Han Dynasty, and especially since the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Its breathtaking beauty has captivated the world, inspiring countless literati and scholars to explore its beauty. Many of the mountain's scenic spots, historical sites, poems, songs, cliff carvings, and legends are associated with these figures. The Celebrities and Mount Lu exhibition hall showcases twenty-one iconic figures from two thousand years of history, including Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi, Su Shi, Xu Xiake, and Yue Fei. A visit allows for a sense of reflection, a sympathetic connection with the ancients, and a glimpse into those turbulent times.
Mr. Su Shi wrote in "Inscription on the Wall of Xilin": I cannot see the true appearance of Mount Lu, because I am already in this mountain.
The reason for this is definitely not because Mr. Su has a bad drinking habit and suffers from hysteria after drinking. The poet also gave a reason: looking from the side, it looks like a mountain; looking from the front, it looks like a peak; it looks different from different distances and heights.
Then let’s change the perspective, let the drone fly into the sky, and try to decipher the reason why “the true face of Mount Lu is unknown” from a corner of Mount Lu - Lulin Lake.
Lulin Lake is one of the two major alpine lakes in Lushan Mountain, located at an altitude of 1,000 meters. When the drone climbs to an altitude of 200 meters, it rises into the sea of clouds. From the perspective of God, Lulin Lake is full of clouds and magnificent.
The Lulin Bridge is 30 meters high, integrating the bridge and dam, blocking the water to form a lake. The lake is like a mirror, like a glowing jade inlaid in the beautiful valley under the shade of trees, and is beautiful against the backdrop of misty clouds.
Lulin Lake is surrounded by mountains, verdant pines and cypresses, creating a picturesque scene. Its waters are pristine and clear, mirror-like, reflecting the mountains. In the center of the lake stand two small pavilions, each beautiful and exquisite in appearance.
Li Bai, the immortal poet, is undoubtedly the most influential figure in Mount Lu. He visited the mountain five times and penned numerous poems praising its beauty. In his timeless masterpiece, "Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu," he posits: "Sunlight shines on the incense burner, creating purple smoke. From afar, I gaze upon the waterfall, cascading down the river. The torrent plummets three thousand feet, like the Milky Way descending from the heavens."
Li Bai's familiarity with Mount Lushan is unquestionable. Yet, he never traveled all the way to the summit, nor did he witness the stunning beauty of the three cascading waterfalls of Sandiequan. I often wonder what magnificent poems he would have written if Sandiequan had been his first attraction.
But this does not prevent the poet Li Bai from becoming the "spokesperson" of Lushan Mountain, and there are still traces of Li Bai in Lushan Mountain.
The Sandiequan Cable Car Station is named "Shixian and Taibai" and the cable car is the Taibai. The ascending and descending stations depart simultaneously and meet in the middle of Qinglian Valley. Above and to the left of the ascending cable car is a mysterious rock formation, its form and spirit reminiscent of the poet Li Bai composing a poem while twisting his beard. This earned the mountain the name "Li Bai Stone."
The Li Bai Stone can only be seen from a specific angle and direction. The cable car will pass by the photo spot, but you only have one minute to take photos. If you want to take a photo with this amazing sight, it is recommended to ask the driver or crew in advance to find a good photo spot.
From Taibai Station to Sandiequan, you'll have to climb 3,000 winding stone steps, descending first and ascending later. Some sections are quite steep, and as you ascend and descend, you'll need to conserve your energy, taking each step firmly and zigzagging. Rest as you get tired. Along the way, there are supply stations and places to board sedan chairs. There's also a stall selling Lushan flower wreaths and katydid cages, all of which look quite interesting.
The best viewing point for Sandiequan is at the third tier, where the waterfall cascades down from the mountain. Standing on the observation deck, you can see the waterfalls cascading down from the mountain, shimmering in the sunlight like a glittering silver necklace on Mount Lushan.
The three-fold waterfall converges into a clear pool on the mountainside, like a jewel hanging on a necklace. The water in the pool is so clear that you can see the bottom, and it is suitable for boating and also brings good luck.
There's a lake in Lushan, its name like a zither, its sound like a song, melodious and lingering. It plays and sings throughout the four seasons, day and night, regardless of rain or snow, winter or summer. The lake reflects the happiness of the people of Lushan.
Lushan Mountain boasts stunning scenery and a rich cultural atmosphere. Visitors flock to the area endlessly, and the leisurely lifestyle cultivated by generations of people born and raised here is like two parallel universes, intersecting yet unaffected. Visitors wander the shores of Ruqin Lake, admiring and yearning for the beauty.
Ruqin Lake is vast yet beautiful and elegant, with curvy lakeshore and the lake surface resembling a charming violin. In addition, there are two words "Ruqin" carved by ancient people on the stone by the lake. The subtle combination makes it more meaningful, hence the name "Ruqin Lake".
Half of the lake lies within the Flower Path Garden, also known as "Flower Path Lake." It is a picturesque and elegant spot dotted with winding bridges, pavilions, and a flower path. The flower path is also known as "Bai Sima Flower Path" because Bai Juyi once walked along it to admire the flowers.
The poet Li Bai was particularly fond of Mount Lu. Besides the well-known magnificent poem "Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu," in 750 AD, when Li Bai and his fourth wife, Zong, ascended Mount Lu for the third time, he wrote "Viewing the Five Old Peaks at Mount Lu." The poem goes like this: Southeast of Mount Lu, the Five Old Peaks, like golden lotuses carved from the azure sky. The beauty of Jiujiang is so captivating, I shall build my nest among the clouds and pines here.
The poet vividly and uniquely depicts the location, temperament, and beauty of Wulao Peak in Lushan. A visit to Wulao Peak offers not only breathtaking views of Jiujiang, but also the opportunity to savor the mist and enjoy the company of clouds. The word "nest" cleverly expresses the poet's desire to live in seclusion there.
The Five Old Men Peak, located in the southeast of Mount Lushan, is divided into five parallel peaks because the top of the mountain is separated by a pass. Looking up, they look like five old men sitting on the ground, so people call these five peaks "Five Old Men Peaks".
Due to different viewing angles, everyone sees the Five Old Peaks differently and draws different conclusions. Some people think that the Five Old Peaks are like a poet chanting, some think that the Five Old Peaks are like a warrior singing, and some think that the Five Old Peaks are like a fisherman fishing... If you want to have a complete view of the Five Old Peaks, the most realistic view is from the Haihui Temple in Haihui Town, Lushan District.
Besides the view from afar, climbing Wulao Peak also offers an extraordinary experience. With its roots connected to Poyang Lake and its peak touching the sky, Wulao Peak boasts a magnificent and dangerous scenery.
Among the five peaks, the third peak is the most dangerous, with various strange rocks and stones, majestic and beautiful, which is a magnificent sight; the fourth peak is the highest, with the cloud pines on the top that are bent like dragons.
"In spring, there are hundreds of thousands of kinds of flowers, brilliant as fire. In early winter, they are still green, and the red maples adorn them, making the eyes full of carved patterns." The ground is covered with red and purple flowers all year round, so it is named Jinxiu.
Due to Quaternary glacial activity, Jinxiu Valley, a southwest-facing mountain depression, was repeatedly carved by glaciers, forming a flat-bottomed, steep-sided valley. The confluence of Dalin Peak and Tianchi Mountain, along with complex geological changes, is the reason for its formation.
In the Jinxiu Valley, which is about 1.5 kilometers long, there are many large and small attractions such as the sky bridge, the good luck stone, the dangerous peak, the Fanyin Spring, the Lixian Gate, the Guanmiao Pavilion, the Jinsong, the Imperial Stele Pavilion, and the Immortal Cave. The scenery changes with every step.
Walking along the stone steps built beside the cliffs of Jinxiu Valley, you will see thousands of rocks competing for beauty and winding ravines in the valley; the cliffs are naturally formed, the stone forests are tall and beautiful, and the steep cliffs and ravines are like the roar of a lion, the leap of a tiger into a stream, the climbing of agile monkeys, and the sitting of immortals, all of which are lifelike.
There's a sky bridge in Jinxiu Valley, but it's actually a bridge without a sky bridge, a truly remarkable wonder of Lushan. The bridge's wonder lies not in the bridge itself, but in the steep valley where it overlooks. Within the valley, steep cliffs and ravines, layer upon layer, are carved into a magnificent scene, resembling a pile of bricks.
Look at the sturdy pines in the dusk, they are calm even when the chaotic clouds are flying. There is a fairy cave in the sky, and the infinite scenery is on the dangerous peak.
The dangerous peaks in Jinxiu Valley are not so much the height, but the artistic conception. Standing at an altitude of only 1,025 meters, you can overlook the vast valleys and mountains, and the sunset glow, which is very inspiring.
The mountains are thousands of years old, and their beauty remains unchanged despite the passage of time; visitors from all over the country come to praise them, and their cultural heritage is continued through poems and stone inscriptions.
