Park or nature areaOutline guide

Mount Heng (Hunan)

Sacred mountain in Hunan, China

Photo: Huangdan2060, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Mount Heng (衡山: héngshān), also known as Nányuè (南岳, south peak) is a mountain sacred to Taoists in Hunan province.

Sights and activities

From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.

Zhurong Feng Peak
See
祝融峰
The highest point in the park, at 1300.2m. There's a temple from the Ming dynasty on top.
Details
Huixian Bridge
See
会仙桥
A large rock got jammed between the mountain and another interesting rock, forming a bridge. The trail here makes for a welcome escape from the tourist throngs above at the peak. Not far from the bridge is a ticket gate for those hiking up from Nanyue Shoumiao (南岳首庙) temple in the northwest.
Details
Martyrs' Shrine
See
纪念堂
Large memorial complex with impressive landscaping
Details
Xiangguang Peak
See
祥光峰
Another peak, with sporadic bus service from the bus terminal at the base of the cable car. There is a Tibetan Buddhist Temple (藏经殿) just past the peak.
Details
Nantai Temple
See
南台禅寺
The huge pagoda on the next ridge to the southwest, visible from most of the mountain, is attached to Nantai Temple. It has occasional bus service from the base of the cableway until 14:00 or 15:00.
Details
Grand Temple of Mount Heng
See
Nanyue Damiao, 南岳大庙
Immediately outside the main park entrance, this huge temple complex dates to 725AD, but has been heavily damaged and expanded repeatedly over the centuries. It includes Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian areas, along with ponds and gardens. It can be entered from the north or south ends.
Hours
November–April: 07:30-17:30. May–October: 07:00-18:00
Price
November–April: ¥40. May–October: ¥60
Details

Getting there and around

Getting there

Hengshan is served by two railway stations.

Read in the guide

Getting around

Transportation tickets allow you to get around the entire park with the shuttle buses and take the cable car up and down once. There might be limits to the bus rides.

Read in the guide

Airports and nearby hotels

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Changsha Huanghua International Airport

Changsha (Changsha) · International · CSX

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Read before you go to Mount Heng (Hunan)

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandSituated in Hengyang City, Hunan Province, Mount Hengshan is one of China’s Five Sacred Mountains. The mountain range runs 150 km from Hengyang to Changsha. Of the cluster of 72 peaks, the most known is Zhurong Peak.

Get inHengshan is served by two railway stations.

Fees and permitsPark entrance: ¥80 (1 November - 30 April), ¥120 (1 May - 31 October). Valid for entry on one day (but you can stay in the park)

Get aroundTransportation tickets allow you to get around the entire park with the shuttle buses and take the cable car up and down once. There might be limits to the bus rides.

SeeThe mountainside is dotted with a large number of temples, gates, rocks with inscriptions, ponds, lakes, springs, and other such points of interest. Most are pleasant, few are exceptional, and few are crowded.

DoBuy the transportation ticket unless you want to hike a lot and don't mind hiking on roads. The first section of the park has a nice 4– to 5-km path without many ascends that will take you to the cable car station.

BuyEverything on the mountain is overpriced like most tourist attractions in China. Tofu sticks are special in the area but should only be a few yuan. Bring some water and snacks unless you are prepared to overpay.

EatTofu sticks, corn, fruit, and some other snacks can be bought at the peak and along major paths. There are a few small restaurants, and the guesthouses can usually arrange something.

DrinkBottled waters at high prices are available at many stops.

SleepGuesthouses are common throughout the park, but while these places are comfortable, quiet and friendly, conditions can be more basic than in an average city.

Stay safeAlthough it is strange to see beggars on a tourist mountain, most touts are more annoying than dangerous.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Mount Heng (Hunan)" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Mount Heng (Hunan)", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Huangdan2060, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Mount Heng (Hunan)" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Mount Heng (Hunan)", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: Huangdan2060, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage