Misty Wonderland Guide

🌟 Hengshan Travel Notes | First Encounter with "Shouyue Nanyue," A Complete 2-Day 1-Night Walk and Blessing Guide on the Immortal Mountain! 🌟

Hello～ As a travel blogger, I was deeply attracted by the "lush green mountains and the fusion of Buddhism and Taoism" here on my first visit to Hengshan! Watching the sea of clouds lift the sunrise at Zhurong Peak in the early morning, strolling along the Brahma Sound Ancient Trail listening to the babbling creek in the afternoon, feeling the thousand-year incense smoke at Nanyue Grand Temple at dusk... This cultural sacred mountain, known as the "Unique Peak of the Five Great Mountains," is truly a double healing of nature, history, and soul! I've put together my lazy version of the guide, so first-timers can just copy it! 👇

📌 Highlights at a Glance

• Immortal Mountain Blessing: Watch the sea of clouds and sunrise at Zhurong Peak, experience the fusion of Buddhism and Taoism at Nanyue Grand Temple, explore the tranquility of Brahma Sound Ancient Trail—all in one trip to collect the "Eight Wonders of Nanyue"!

• Cultural Imprints: From the ancient fire god Zhurong to the Qianlong imperial stele, from the Chan Buddhism case at Mojing Terrace to the war memories at the Martyrs' Shrine, every step is history.

• Easy Travel: Scenic area shuttle + cable car directly to Nantianmen, a half-hour hike to the summit, suitable for the whole family.

🗺 Itinerary Plan: 2-Day 1-Night Essential Route

Day 1: Ancient Town Blessing · Brahma Sound Ancient Trail Stroll

Morning

• Blessing at Nanyue Grand Temple

A 10-minute walk from the visitor center to the "First Ancient Building Complex in Jiangnan." The red walls and corner towers resemble the Forbidden City, uniquely featuring a Taoist temple on the east side and a Buddhist temple on the west side within the same courtyard. When burning incense, remember to hold the incense in your left hand and avoid stepping on the threshold.

• Vegetarian Lunch at Zhusheng Temple

Visit the Tang Dynasty ancient temple along the East Street of the ancient town. Have a vegetarian meal inside the temple at noon (30 RMB/person), recommended fermented bean curd and mushroom soup, light and warming.

Afternoon

• Hiking the Brahma Sound Ancient Trail

Enter the bluestone path from the Shengli Square entrance, accompanied by streams and dotted with stone inscriptions in the forest. Pass by the Martyrs' Shrine (War Memorial Hall), the Poetry Forest in the Rock Cave (stone-carved poems), and take forest-style photos at "Lovers' Rock." It takes about 3 hours to reach the Mid-Mountain Pavilion.

• Stay at Mid-Mountain Pavilion

Recommended to stay at a farmhouse (150-300 RMB/night) with mountain views from the window. Dinner features local specialties like lotus leaf-wrapped rice and Hengshan tofu pot, with tofu made from mountain spring water, tender and flavorful.

Day 2: Summit Sunrise · Sea of Clouds and Immortal Peak Challenge

Early Morning

• Rush to Zhurong Peak for Sunrise

Summer sunrise is around 5:30 AM; it’s recommended to depart from Mid-Mountain Pavilion at 4:30 AM! Take the first eco-friendly shuttle to Nantianmen (40-minute ride), then hike 30 minutes to the summit. At the Zhurong Hall at 1300.2 meters elevation, watch the red sun leap out of the sea of clouds, with the rosy glow gilding the incense of the "Sacred Emperor of Nanyue."

Morning

• Explore Mojing Terrace and Sutra Hall

Descend passing Mojing Terrace, listen to the guide’s story about Chan Buddhism’s "sudden enlightenment," and visit the former residence of He Jian; then head to the Sutra Hall to see the thousand-year-old white magnolia blooming in spring, with ancient trees towering like a green fairyland.

Afternoon

• Water Curtain Cave Wonder

Take the eco-friendly shuttle to the mountain foot, then transfer to Water Curtain Cave (ticket 30 RMB). The waterfall cascades down a 30-meter cliff, with Li Bai’s inscription "Water Curtain Cave" still visible on the stone. The pool below is clear and cool, perfect for taking off shoes and splashing to beat the heat.

🍜 Food Must-Try and Avoid List (Tested!)

✅ Must-Eat List

• Hengshan Local Bowl: Seven layers of ingredients including pig’s trotters and meatballs stacked like a "pagoda," a banquet staple.

• Cloud Mist Tea Cake: Freshly baked at an old street tea shop, crispy and fragrant paired with Hengshan cloud mist tea, 5 RMB each.

• Jiuguan Lake Blood Duck: Duck blood cooked into the dish, smooth, salty, and spicy, a perfect match for rice.

❌ Pitfall Tips

• Instant noodles on the summit cost 20 RMB per cup; it’s better to bring energy bars; the "Golden Fruit" preserved fruit inside the scenic area is overpriced and average in taste.

💡 Practical Tips

1. Save on Transportation

◦ Take the high-speed train to "Hengshan West Station," then take a bus (6 RMB/person) directly to Nanyue Bus Station; the scenic area eco-shuttle runs in segments, full ticket 80 RMB valid for 2 days.

2. Ticket Discounts

◦ Peak season (May to October) ticket 110 RMB, Nanyue Grand Temple 60 RMB; half price for students and seniors, book in advance via "Nanyue One-Code Tour."

3. Gear List

◦ Must bring: non-slip sports shoes (stone steps are wet), light jacket (temperature difference at the summit), cash (some areas have weak signal).

4. Best Seasons

◦ Spring (March-April): Rhododendron sea; Autumn (October-November): fiery red leaves; Winter: sparkling rime (check scenic area announcements).

Final Thoughts: The charm of Hengshan is not only in the grandeur of "only Nanyue soars alone," but also in the sound of streams along the Brahma Sound Ancient Trail, the incense smoke drifting in Zhurong Hall, and the steaming rice noodles in the ancient town... Save a morning for the sea of clouds at the Sunrise Viewing Platform, wait for an unexpected moment of Zen, and you will find that Hengshan, the "Unique Peak of the Five Great Mountains," is the most touching blank space 🍃

✨ Follow me to unlock more hidden mountain and water adventures! ✨

(Note: Opening hours and ticket prices are subject to the latest official announcements from "Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area." Eco-shuttle routes may be adjusted on rainy or snowy days~)