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Mount Yuelu
Introducing Mount Yuelu
Mount Yuelu is a beautiful scenic gem rising on the west bank of the Xiang River in Changsha. Mount Yuelu offers stunning views overlooking the river and city. Its main peak and highest point, Yunlu Peak, is about 300.8 meters (987 ft) above sea level, covered in lush vegetation and home to a variety of animals.
Beyond its natural beauty, Mount Yuelu holds profound cultural significance, serving as a historical meeting point for Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. This legacy is best exemplified by the presence of Yuelu Academy, one of the four most prestigious academies in ancient China, solidifying the mountain’s reputation as a center of learning and philosophical thought. Visitors can explore a variety of scenic spots, each harmoniously integrated with the natural surroundings. These include Qingfeng Gorge, Aiwan Pavilion, Lushan Temple, Yunlu Palace, the White Crane Spring, and the Flying Stone.
Mount Yuelu Fast Facts
• AKA: Mt. Yuelu
• Chinese Name: Yuelushan 岳麓山
• Elevation: 300 meters (984 ft)
• Area: 5.28 square kilometers (2.04 square miles)
• Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 4 to 6 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Hiking, Nature
• Opening Hours: 6:00-22:00
• Entrance Fee: Free, CNY40 (Yuelu Academy), CNY50 (Round-trip Cable Car)
• Address: No. 58 Denggao Road, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province
What to Expect at Mount Yuelu
The rustling leaves of ancient trees, echoing with the wisdom of past dynasties, paint the slopes with breathtaking beauty. A place of both vibrant natural splendor and profound historical significance, Mount Yuelu invites contemplation and inspires a sense of awe in all who wander its serene paths.
Aiwan Pavilion
Perched high on Mount Yuelu, the Aiwan Pavilion (Autumn-Admiring Pavilion) stands sentinel, a vibrant splash of crimson against the verdant tapestry of the mountainside. Originally built in 1792 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Xiang River, Orange Island Park, and the surrounding cityscape. Known for its elegant architecture, featuring intricate carvings and vibrant red pillars, the pavilion has been a gathering place for scholars and poets for centuries, inspiring countless works of art and literature.
Lushan Temple
Lushan Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple with a rich history dating back to the Western Jin Dynasty (266-316 AD). Famous for its stunning natural surroundings and its importance as a pilgrimage site, the temple has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt throughout the centuries. Today, it remains an active place of worship and a popular destination for visitors seeking spiritual solace and scenic beauty.
Yunlu Palace
Originally constructed in 1478, Yunlu Palace is said to have been founded by a Taoist priest drawn to the tranquility of this renowned scenic mountain for contemplation and spiritual cultivation. The palace complex comprises three halls, each featuring stone pillars and iron tile roofs. The front hall is dedicated to Guan Yu, the God of War; the middle hall to Xuanwu Zushi, a prominent Taoist deity; and the rear hall to the Three Purities, the highest deities in the Taoist pantheon. Flanking these main halls are rooms that once served as living quarters for the Taoist community. Adjacent to the palace stands Wangxiang Pavilion, a vantage point offering breathtaking views.
The Śarīra Stūpa
Śarīra, a Sanskrit word meaning “body” or “relics,” refers to cremated remains, often bone fragments or crystalline structures, sometimes found after cremation. Tradition holds that after the cremation of the Buddha (Śākyamuni), monks constructed stūpas to enshrine these relics. The stūpa on Mount Yuelu, carved from granite, is shaped like a monk’s cap. It comprises three levels: a base, styled like a Sumeru throne; a middle section with four corners shaped like banana leaves and adorned with relief sculptures of five powerful guardian figures, symbolizing the stūpa’s protection; and a top section culminating in a finial resembling the top of a monk’s cap. West of the stūpa stands a stone stele inscribed with the phrase “Jointly Build Bodhi,” referring to the Buddhist concept of enlightenment or awakening.
Yuelu Academy
Yuelu Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China. Founded in 976 AD during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), it has served as a center of Confucian learning for over a thousand years, fostering intellectual and cultural growth through various dynasties.
White Crane Spring
White Crane Spring, nestled beneath the rocks to the right of Lushan Temple, emerges from a large fissure that extends from Qingfeng Gorge to Xianglu Peak. Abundant groundwater, filtered through sandstone from the lushly forested mountain above, gushes forth in a continuous, crystal-clear, sweet, and refreshing stream. This flow never runs dry, regardless of the season. A simple yet elegant pavilion shelters the spring. Its stone pillars support sweeping eaves, and its ceiling is adorned with two painted white cranes poised for flight. Their images, reflected in the gently rippling water below, appear to dance.
How to Get to Mount Yuelu
• By Bus: Take bus 308 to Xinminxuehuijiuzhi (Xinmin Organization site) Station.
• By Subway: Take subway line 2 to Rongwanzhen (Rongwan Town) Station.
Additional Travel Advice on Mount Yuelu
• Cable car is available in the scenic area. Many visitors choose to enter from south gate and hike the mountain and then take cable car down and exit from the east gate.
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes.
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