Langshan Mountain

 Langshan Mountain

Langshan Mountain Scenic Zone

Langshan Mountain, a beautiful and charming place, enjoys countless poetry created by many ancient and modern literary men. The pronunciation of "崀" is “Lang”. It is said that during an southward inspection tour, Emperor Shun arrived at Langshan Mountain only to find the scenery was so amazing that he forgot to leave, praised "it is a good one among mountains" and granted the Chinese character "崀" for it. Since then, this mountain has been called Langshan Mountain. 

Langshan Mountain, located in the Xinning County at the southwest border of Hunan Province, is a rare scenic area with grand Danxia landform in China or even in the world. Covering an area of 108 square kilometers, it is composed of six scenic spots including Bajiao Mountain Village, Chili Peak, Tianyi Lane, Fuyi River, Zixia Cave, Tiansheng Bridge. Langshan Mountain, with various geomorphic types, features in peak forest, peak cluster with Danxia landform in its prime. It is high, steep, deep and long, integrated with grand, amazing, precipitous, peaceful and beautiful sceneries. There are magnificent mesa, towering rocky columns and rocky walls, steep cliffs with Danxia landform, narrow and winding rocky lane and rocky grooves, vivid graphic landscapes, as well as clean and beautiful Fuyi River. Tourists feel so wonderful that they enjoy staying here. Here is a famous scenic zone for touring, relaxing, rock climbing and exploration, and scientific research. Moreover, it is the most representative and beautiful place with the typical abundance and grade among scenic spots with Danxia landform in China, thus geologists call it as “essence of Danxia landform, the national treasure”. The climate of the scenic zone is subtropics moist monsoon climate and it has four seasons with obvious unique features and annual average temperature of 17 ℃; The Fuyi River keeps flowing for the whole year and its minimum flow is 12 m3 /second; lush plants are growing here, including various rare and precious species. The forest coverage is over 70%. With comfortable climate and superior ecological environment, this scenic zone can attract a large number of domestic and overseas tourists all the year around.

On August 2nd, 2010, Langshan Mountain was recorded in the World Heritage List and became China’s eighth world natural heritage. Today, Langshan Mountain is a tourist attraction with multiple top reputations such as World Natural Heritage, National Scenic Zone, National Geopark, National AAAA Scenic Spot, etc.

The “six amazing places of Langshan Mountain” are even the wonders of the world:

The first one is the lane of the world, which locates at Tianyixiang Scenic Spot and presents you with the sight of narrow sky through the gap formed by cliffs standing at each sides(these cliffs are with the height of about 120—180 meters). The lane is 238.8 meters long, and its width is between 0.33 meters and 0.8 meters;

The second one is whale-shape rocks in mist in Bajiao Mountain Village Scenic Spot. As you look down upon the canyon, the hazy clouds and odd peaks and stones seem to be thousands of whales playing in the sea, with their heads and tails appearing sometimes;

The third one is the Army General-shape Rock in Fuyi River Scenic Spot. At an altitude of 399.5 meters, the rock column is at net height of 75 meters and the perimeter of 40 meters. Drifting along the Fuyi River, you can see the Army General-shape Rock holding its head high and looking down upon the Fuyi River, and it is so vigorous and awe-struck;

The fourth place is Camel Peak in Chili Peak Scenic Spot. It is 187.8 meters high and 273 meters long. Two sunken places form the peak as the head, humps and tail of a camel, which is so vivid and life-like;

The fifth place is Tiansheng Bridge. The length, width, height and thickness of the bridge are respectively 64 meters, 14 meters, 20 meters and 5 meters. The whole bridge is just like a circular arch across the sky. It is so powerful and grand that has been praised as the first bridge of Asia.

The sixth place is Chili Peak in the Chili Peak Scenic Spot. As the peak's head is much bigger than its foot, it looks like a huge chili with the height of 180 meters.

Formed with the Danxia landform, Langshan Mountain develops with the height of Bajiao Mountain Village, the length of Tianyi Lane, the steepness of Candle Peak, the amazement of Honghua Red Cliff, the beauty of Army General-shape Rock and the wonder of Camel Peak. Moreover, the lush and green forests, the winding and clean Fuyi River, together with Danxia landform, green water and hills create a beautiful natural image, which is spoken highly by tourists and let them enjoy staying at Langshan Mountain.

Introduction to Six Scenic Spots

Bajiao Mountain Village

Bajiao Mountain Village, located in the south of Langshan Mountain Scenic Zone, is termed because of its main peak towers above other peaks and protrudes eight raised horns. The scenic spot covers 7.17 square kilometers and belongs to a typical Danxia mesa. Peaking at 818 meters, this scenic spot is the highest and the best place to enjoy the scenery of Langshan Mountain Scenic Zone. Its west, south and north sides are cliffs and visitors can only reach the scenic spot by a zigzag road on its southeast side. Facing the west side and looking down from the top, you can see peaks towering around with ravines.

The top of the peak grows original bush while the valley bottom grows lush green bamboo, and the cliffs are red Danxia landform. In sunny days, the blue sky, white clouds, green trees and red cliffs come together to shape a grand natural image. In foggy days, the peaks are partly hidden and partly visible in the cloud sea, and just like thousands of whales in mist. The summit peak has the ancient Yuntai Temple built in Nan Song Dynasty, which has attracted continuous worship during the past thousand years.

Featured in intensively high and dome-shaped peak forest and peak cluster Danxia landform, Bajiao Mountain Village is entitled as “the outstanding representative of early mature peak forest and peak cluster Danxia landform” and “a model of Danxia landform's main types and basic characteristics in China” by scholars at home and abroad. Gathering together the scenes of “whale-shape rocks in mist”, “conches watch the sky”, “magic axe kills the dragon”, “incense burner on dragon head”, “immortals playing chess” and “the open celestial gate”, the scenic spot enjoys a reputation of “essence of Danxia landform, the national treasure”.

Ticker price: RMB 30

Chili Peak Scenic Spot

Chili Peak Scenic Spot, with intensive Danxia landscapes of Langshan Mountain, is the outstanding representative of intensive Danxia peak clusters. It fully presents the evolution mechanism and process of Danxia landform in Langshan Mountain, as well as the unusual natural beauty of Danxia landform. This scenic spot covers 9.62 square kilometers, with main scenery spots such as Chili Peak, Camel Peak, Linjia Mountain Village, E'gong Mountain Village, Candle Peak, One-Line Sky, Dragon Mouth Facing the Sunrise etc. The famous Chili Peak in the scenic spot is situated at Foding Mountain. With the height of 180 meters, it towers straight above the other peaks. The perimeter of the peak head is about 100 meters, while that of the peak bottom is about 40 meters. As the peak is red and its head is bigger than the bottom, it looks like a huge red chili from afar and is called as "mythic chili drills into the land". In 2002, the famous French "spiderman" Alain Robert climbed up the Chili Peak with bare hands and created a new mythology. The Chili Peak thus became famous in the world since then.

Camel Peak, with the height of about 188 meters and length of about 273 meters, is a graphic landscape of rock peak with Danxia landform having three steep sides. Seen from the north side, the head of the "camel" is round, its peak is protruded and the tail is bald. It is so vivid because their heights are well proportioned with a clear structure. Next to the Camel Peak is Candle Peak which is like a red candle with the height of 199 meters and the perimeter of about 400 meters. There is a large tilted rock gap at the foot of the cliff on the east side. It is about 100 meters long, 50 meters deep and 0.4 to 1.8 meters wide, like a huge dragon opening its big mouth in 60 degrees toward the east. While the sun shines, the brilliance sparkles. Seen from the top of Camel Peak and taking a broad and remote view, the stretch and undulate peak clusters, the well-proportioned peak summits, beautiful and fine peak body together with the precipitous and rough red cliff, are all with Danxia landform and complement each other on multiplicity and simplicity, as well as hardness and softness. The samrt peaks with Danxia landform, simple residential villages and traditional farming integrate ingeniously with peaceful field scenery add fun to each other and form an elegant image with harmonious existence between human being and nature.

Ticket price: RMB 36

Fuyi River Scenic Spot

Fuyi River, originates in Mao'er Mountain in Guangxi province, is the mother river of Langshan Mountain. The river has clear and tender water flow. Its width is approximately between 100 meters and 70 meters. In the river banks, there are peculiar stones and peaks, gentle willows as well as green grass. The main scenic spots are Army General-shape Rock, Invisible Islet, willows in the long bank, Lang Tiger Howls toward the Sky, Jade Lane, Soft-shelled turtle-shape Rock, Warship-shape Rock, Woodpecker-shape Rock, Granny Rock, Bijia Hill, Ageless Dike and Lotus Pond Reflects the Moon etc. The area of the Fuyi River Scenic Spot is 24.93 square kilometers.

The natural Army General-shape Rock, towering at the low and flat mountain slope on the east bank of Fuyi River, is a rocky column with aged Danxia landform. It is 75 meters high and its girth is over 40 meters. From afar, it seems to be a vigorous General wearing war-gown and yelling toward the sky, just like the patron saint of Fuyi River. The vivid Woodpecker-shape Rock is about 90 meters high and like a woodpecker pecking the tree to remove insects. The magnificent Warship-shape Rock spans the east and west sides and raises its head on the Fuyi River. Amid the green mountains and trees, you can boat on the green water, sing love songs to know lover's mind and enjoy the brocade-like fields. Moreover, you can drift on the green river winding around the peculiar peaks and rocks; the scene of water and mountain integrate with each other, while tourists enjoy together with fish and birds. As the cool breeze blows the green waves, boats are moving on the river and visitors are touring in the beautiful scenery, like touring in a picture.

Drifting price: RMB260/ raft (4 persons)

Tianyixiang Scenic Spot

"The Lane Valley and Line Valley develop with large scale" is the most typical feature of this scenic spot. Within the scope of less than 1 square kilometer, nine places are developed with the view of big or small "one line sky", which mainly include Tianyi Lane, Yuxian Lane, Mati Lane, Yuxian Bridge, Xianren Bridge, Baizhang Cliff and Yueguang Rock, covering an area of 6.5 square kilometers.

"The Lane of the World", the typical lane valley with Danxia landform, is 238.8 meters long. The flanking rocky cliffs are 80 -120 meters high and 0.33-0.8 meters wide. The cliffs are straight，as if they are hacked by knife and axe. As they stand facing each other, "one line sky" can be seen while you look up; amid the valleys, it seems that you are a passer-by in the time tunnel, experiencing the precipitous and beautiful charm. Mr. Chen Guoda, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the first grade professor of Central South University and the founder of Diwa Theory, personally inscribed "The Lane of the World". Besides, there are criss-cross Mati Lane, Yuxian Lane, Cuizhu Lane etc. It is so charming for tourists as the lanes are narrow and the environment is peaceful with lush bamboo growing on two sides; while climbing up the Lanyue Stair step by step, you will suddenly feel like going to the sky for clasping the moon; Arriving at the seven-floor "building" Cangtian Cave, and standing at Wangjiang Tower and Louwailou Tower, visitors can see all beautiful sceneries, and can't help praising that "the rivers and mountains are so charming and gorgeous".

Ticket price: RMB 50

Zixia Cave Scenic Spot

Dong(峒)，is not karst cave, but a basin with ravine passing through from one side. Zixia Cave is a canyon with a winding road leading to a silent place and red cliff on each side. While the sun shines the cliffs, they reflect the sunglows and rise purple mist, thus it got the name of "Zixia Cave".

Zixia Cave Scenic Spot contains more than twenty big or small scenery spots such as Zixia Palace, Groove with different Views, Ziwei Peak, Honghua Red Cliff, Wuyun Mountain Village, Liu Huaxuan Tomb, Zixia Pavilion, Elephant Nose-shape Rock, Red Tile Mountain etc., covering 3.80 square kilometers. Inside of the cave, there are beautiful environment formed by dense plants, fancy rocks and winding roads, features peaceful cave, thick forest, waterfall and streams, graphic rocks, as well as religious temples. The large red cliff with Danxia landform in Red Tile Mountain is with the length of 700 meters and average height of over 100 meters. The cliff, red as fire, is rough and grand with intensive caves presenting different views. The Zixia Palace with drum at sunset and bell in the morning, and incense smoke, was built in Jiajing Regime in Ming Dynasty and was the holy land of Buddhism in southwest of Hunan province in the past. Visitors continuously come here for worship from the past to date. It is said that prayers can be satisfied every time, thus making it one of the seventy-two Buddhist resorts. Climb up the viewing point, lean against the railings and look far into the distance, visitors can see clearly the Langshan Mountain comprised numerous mountains like winding snakes and with clouds moving around the gullies.

Ticket price: RMB 30

Tiansheng Bridge

Tiansheng Bridge Scenic Spot hasn't been developed and open for public. This scenic spot has a natural Danxia stone arch bridge named as Tiansheng Bridge. The bridge crosses 64 meters with the arch rise of 20 meters, width of 14 meters and thickness of 5 meters. The whole bridge, magnificently and powerfully presented as circular arch across the sky, is praised as the greatest natural bridge of Asia.

Fine Tour Routes in Langshan MountainRoute A: Chili Peak, Tianyi Lane, Bajiao Mountain Village, Fuyi River Driftage, Zixia Cave Scenic Spots.

D1: Travel to Chili Peak Scenic Spot in the morning (about 2 hours), watch the Danxia cliff, including Chili Peak, successively conquered by the French spiderman Alain Robert with one time effort; climb the Camel Peak and Dragon Mouth Facing the Sunrise, feel the amazement of the suspended plank road over Camel Cliffs, and experience the cultural image composed of harmonious ecological home for human being and nature, together with the farming culture enhancing each other's brilliance. And then turn to romantic Fuyi River Driftage with bamboo raft (about 1.5 hours), view the Woodpecker-shape Rock, Warship-shape Rock, Army General-shape Rock etc. to relax your heart and body, and enjoy the natural beauty of Fuyi River's green water along the green mountains, as well as the fun of green water and sand beach. Travel to Tianyixiang Scenic Spot after lunch (about 2.5 hours), view the amazing scenery spots of "One Line Sky Superb Sceneries", including "the Lane of the World" created by the extremely fine craftsmanship of nature, and an ancient war castle of the Taiping Army etc.

D2: Tour in Bajiao Mountain Village in the morning (about 2 to 2.5 hours), visit three gates including Elephant Gate, Dragon Gate and Gate of Mountain Village, Taiwan Rock, Incense Burner on Dragon Head and Immortals Playing Chess, experience the greatness of crossing two provinces with one foot, and view the wonder of Danxia in the world—"Whale-shape Rocks in Mist, in Bajiao Mountain Village“, which has the reputation of "Essence of Danxia landform, the National Treasure". After lunch, tourists can visit Zixia Cave Scenic Spot (about 1.5 hours) or end the journey and get back.

Route B: Bajiao Mountain Village, Chili Peak, Tianyi Lane, Zixia Cave Scenic Spots

D1: Tour in Bajiao Mountain Village in the morning (about 2 to 2.5 hours), visit three gates including Elephant Gate, Dragon Gate and Gate of Mountain Village, Taiwan Rock, Incense Burner on Dragon Head and Immortals Playing Chess, experience the greatness of crossing two provinces with one foot, and view the wonder of Danxia in the world—"Whale-shape Rocks in Mist, in Bajiao Mountain Village“, which has the reputation of "Essence of Danxia landform, the National Treasure" Travel to Chili Peak Scenic Spot in the afternoon (about 2 hours), watch the Danxia cliff—Chili Peak, successively conquered by the French spiderman Alain Robert with one time effort; climb the Camel Peak and Dragon Mouth Facing the Sunrise, experience the amazement of the suspended plank road over Camel Cliffs, and the cultural image composed of harmonious ecological home for human being and nature, together with the farming culture enhancing each other's brilliance.

D2:Travel in Tianyixiang Scenic Spot in the morning (about 2.5 hours), view the amazing scenic spots of "One Line Sky Superb Sceneries", including "the Lane of the World" created by the extremely fine craftsmanship of nature, and an ancient war castle of the Taiping Army etc. Then visitors can enjoy their stay in Zixia Cave Scenic Spot (about 1.5 hours) and get back after lunch.

 Best Driving Route to Langshan Mountain

From Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan etc. to Langshan Mountain:

Changsha City, Zhuzhou City and Xiangtan City etc. (Shanghai-Kunming Expressway) Zhushi Town of Dongkou County (33 kilometers of the second level road) Wugang City (44 kilometers of the second level road) Xinning County (Langshan Mountain);

From Yunan, Guizhou, Huaihua to Langshan Mountain:
Kunming City (Guizhou) (Shanghai-Kunming Expressway) Huaihua City (88 kilometers of Shanghai-Kunming Expressway) Zhushi Town of Dongkou County (33 kilometers of the second level road) Wugang City (44 kilometers of the second level road) Xinning County (Langshan Mountain)

From Hengyang to Langshan Mountain:
Hengyang City (Hengyang-Shaoyang Expressway) Shaoyang City (Shanghai-Kunming Expressway) Zhushi Town of Dongkou County (33 kilometers of the second level road) Wugang City (44 kilometers of the second level road) Xinning  County (Langshan Mountain);
From Yongzhou to Langshan Mountain:
Yongzhou City (Shaoyong Expressway) Shaoyang City (Shanghai-Kunming Expressway) Zhushi Town of Dongkou County (33 kilometers of the second level road) Wugang  City (44 kilometers of the second level road) Xinning County (Langshan Mountain);

From Guangxi to Langshan Mountain:
Beihai City (Nanning, Liuzhou) (Expressway) Guilin City 45 kilometers of the first level road) Xing'an County (45 kilometers of the second level road) Ziyuan County (70 kilometers of the second level road) Langshan Mountain;
From Guangzhou to Langshan Mountain:
Guangzhou City (Wuhan-Guangzhou High Speed Railway) Hengyang City (Hengyang-Shaoyang Express way) Shaoyang (Shanghai-Kunming Expressway) Zhushi Town of Dongkou County(33 kilometers of the second level road) Wugang  City (44 kilometers of the second level road) Xinning County (Langshan Mountain).