Mount Hengshan, Hunan, China

5Buke W 5:00 PM Mar 29, 2014

Great Mountain, great view.
As the southern one of China's 'Five Great Mountains', Hengshan is famous for its rich history and wonderful views. It is not very tall, merely around 1500m, but diversify in landscapes, plants, climates, colors. The Great Five Mountains also represent the Five Elements in China's ancient philophosy (Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth), and Hengshan is for Fire. The main saint (or god) of Hengshan is Zhurong, a historical figure heavily mystified through thousands of years, and for whom the temple on top of Hengshan worships. To Chinese people, climbing Hengshan is never simply the hiking and sightseeing, but worshiping. That's why we met so many local worshiping people gathered very early in front of Tourist Centre, wearing similar costumes. The Tourist Centre opens at 7:30, buy tickets on 2nd Floor and take the bus on 3rd. Certainly you can choose to climb the mountain from the very beginning and I heard it takes around 6 hours to reach the top for a young man and a 8 hours maybe for a middle-age. Ticket for entry is 80RMB and minivan ticket is also 80RMB (double way). I noticed this is the 'low-season' price stated on the ticket. Vans were plenty and set off when it was full. They drove you to a cable car station mid of mountain, on duty every ten minutes, very fast, and drop you off at top station which is still 2km away from the Zhurong Temple, the real top of Hengshan. There were many motorbikes waiting at cable station to take you for the remaining 2km to get to the Temple, but these local people tried their best to charge you a lot. Since 2km is easy and this part rises slowly, just ignore these motorbikes. The Temple gave you a surprise with its simple, powerful, stumpy design. I think this style is in according with local people's character. Other scenic places in mountain were also OK, but the Zhurong Temple is the best, very simple but striking. Another bonus view is to watch Chinese ladies climbing mountain in high heel shoes. Before the trip I read the review by Stevelizhangjun, but I think I could notice it by myself. Really amazing.

4Lizzie H 5:00 PM Apr 18, 2016

Excellent view and a little tired climbing
Last July, I went to Hengshan with my friends and our families. We got up at about 5 am to catch the very early high-speed rail to Hengyang (stated from Changsha). It was in my summer vacation after National College Entrance Examination, I was quite tired for getting up so early. We had breakfast in a restaurant near the entrance. There were so many people waiting for the bus to the half top of the mountain that we waited in the line for about one hour. We climbed for half of the whole journey. It was a long way but the roads were well to step. Along the route, there were many kinds of plants that I had never seen before. And the air was very fresh. As climbing higher and higher, it was very misty. I recommend you to bring a coat for warming or a rain coat. With chatting and smiling all the way, we reached the top of the mountain successfully. In the temple, we worshiped and prayed. In this way, we experienced Buddhism and Taoism culture there. But you should pay attention that the mountain road for bus is very tortuous. You'd better prepare some medicine or plums for carsickness.