Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot(Datong)

Introducing Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot
Mt. Hengshan is one of the 5 sacred Daoist mountains. Mt. Hengshan's peak is at 2,017m. Mt. Hengshan is located 62km south of Datong City. Mt. Hengshan has been revered as a sacred site since the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), owing to its strong Taoist presence. However, owing to its positioning in the northern territories, which were often subject to control by non-Chinese nations, Mount Hengshan has historically experienced fewer pilgrimages compared to the other four mountains. As a result, it remains the least-visited and least-developed among the quintet, encompassing the smallest area. This relatively lower religious significance has led to Mount Hengshan being less commercialized, with no hotels situated on the mountain. The main peak offers a scenic hike of approximately three hours round trip from the parking lot, with fragrant lilac blossoms adorning the summit in June and temples nestled into the cliffs. The slopes are predominantly adorned with hemlocks, pines, elm, fir, poplar, and hawthorn, interspersed with areas of sparse vegetation. During the Han Dynasty, the Shrine of the Northern Peak (Beiyue Miao), dedicated to the mountain god, was constructed on Mount Hengshan's slopes. Despite undergoing periodic destruction and subsequent reconstruction, this temple boasts an uninterrupted history from the Han era to the present day. During periods of occupation by non-Han Chinese entities, reverence for Mount Hengshan was redirected towards the Beiyue Temple in Quyang of Hebei Province.

Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot Fast Facts
• AKA: Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot
• Chinese Name: Heng Shan 恒山
• Best Time to Visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sept & Oct
• Elevation: 2,017 m (6,617 ft)
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 3 - 4 hours
• Things to Do: Natural scenery, hiking, architecture
• Opening Hours: 08:00 to 18:00 from Apr to Oct; 08:30 to 17:30 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: CNY45; free for children under 1.2m (3.9ft).
• Address: Mt Hengshan, Hunyuan County, Datong

History of Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot
Mount Hengshan, like its counterparts in China that are steeped in Taoist traditions, has been revered as a holy Taoist mountain since the inception of Taoism. Its geographical position in the north, frequently under the rule of non-Chinese entities, has resulted in a less robust history of pilgrimage compared to its four counterparts, including Mt. Huashan and Mt. Taishan. In fact, it remains the least frequented, least developed, and smallest in size among the five mountains. Consequently, Hengshan’s religious significance in China is not as pronounced as the other Taoist mountains.

What to Expect at Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot
Golden Dragon Gorge
The Golden Dragon Gorge, nestled between Tian Feng Ling Peak and Chuiping Peak, appears precipitous from an aerial view due to its profound depth and slender base, which is just over 10 meters wide. This gorge has served as a natural fortification of significant strategic value to military leaders since the time when armies first arrived at Mt. Hengshan in the ancient era. During the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), General Yang Ye, along with his sons, successfully repelled the invaders from the adjacent Liao Dynasty (916-1125) by utilizing the Golden Dragon Gorge as their final line of defense.

Temples of Mount Hengshan
Temples are mostly situated on the southern slope of Tianfengling Peak on Mount Hengshan. A temple known as the Shrine of the Northern Peak (Beiyue Miao), devoted to the mountain god, was constructed on the slopes of Hengshan during the Han dynasty. Despite being periodically demolished and reconstructed, this temple boasts a continuous history from the Han era to the present day.Additionally, the renowned Hanging Temple, which was erected over 1,500 years ago into a nearby cliff, is another significant religious site in the area.

How to Get to Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot
• Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot is located 72km (45 miles) away from Datong.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Datong to Mount Hengshan Scenic Spot.