Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area, one of the most famous 'Five Sacred Mountains (Wu Yue)' in China, is located about 62 kilometers south to Datong City of Shanxi Province. It is famous for its natural sceneries and man-made landscaping. Boasting 108 peaks and spanning 150 kilometers, it has an average elevation of 2,017 meters. The Tianfeng Peak, the highest peak, is 2,190 meters above sea level, the highest among the Five Sacred Mountains. The Hengshan Mountain scenic area was rated a national 4A tourist attraction in 2002.
Chinese recorded history tells us that Emperor Shun ( 2372 BC) toured his northern domain years ago, and he was so impressed by the sight of Mt. Hengshan that he proclaimed it the 'North Mountain' (Bei Yue). Many later emperors had also come to visit. The renowned traveler Xu Xiake came to visit in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and left behind Hengshan-inspired writings. Others did similar things.
What to see?
Mt. Hengshan Scenic Spots has temperate semiarid continental climate and distinct four seasons. It features cold-dry winters, windy springs, short rainy summers, and short sunny autumns. There is extreme temperature difference between daytime and at night. Annual average temperature here is 6.1 degree centigrade.
Ancient battleground
Mount Hengshan has been an age-old battleground. It is the bottleneck to Central Hebei Plain from Plateau beyond the Great Wall. Many emperors utilized Mt. Hengshan in national defense planning. Emperors and generals went down in history on battles won and lost right here. Plenty of ancient battlefield relics litter the landscape with passes, fortresses, castles and beacon towers. These make the mountain unique.
Hanging Monastery (Xuankong Si)
Hanging Monastery, at the mountain's foot, was built in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), on the high cliff hemmed in by a precipice on either side. It sits up there beyond reach in abject solitude. From the bottom you see range upon range of pavilions supported by dozens of wooden pillars. Entering the temple, people will be surprised by its half-house and half-cave inner structures.
Hanging Monastery deserves a visit.
Tianfeng Summit
At 2016.1 meters (6,617 feet), Tianfeng Summit, in Hunyuan County, Datong City, is the highest peak. The steep north slope is covered with verdant pine trees. Climbing onto the top of the mountain, you will see endless pine trees, some of them growing on the cliff with roots burrowing in the rocks, exotic flowers and rare herbs and odd-shaped stones, and so forth. The tourists are too delighted to return home. The south slope is studded by lots of temples where emperors worshipped the North Mountain.
Hengshan Mountain is also famous for steep ridges, splendid peaks, exotic-shaped temples and gushing fountains, together with oddly shaped stones and forests of ancient trees, which form a beautiful landscape.
Hengshan is called "The First Mountain Guarding the North Borders", depicting its magnitude and wondrous appearance. The mountain links up with the Taihang Mountain range in the east, and to the north it faces the vast expanse of a plateau, thus forming a natural screen for Shanxi province. The Great Wall winds up the mountain, forming many ancient strategic passes. The passes, ancient castles and beacon towers constitute a unique landscape differing from that of the other four sacred mountains.
Hengshan Mountain is a very good summer resort. It has a semi-arid continental climate, with cold winters, dry and windy springs, humid summers and sunny but short autumns.
Travel Tips
Add: 62 kilometers south to Datong City of Shanxi Province
Entrance Fees: CNY 270
Opening Hours: :08:00-17:00
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