Mount Songshan

Introducing Mount Songshan (from Henan Municipal Commission of Tourism)
Mount Songshan, known for its beauty and steepness, is located in Dengfeng County of Henan Province. With a range of 60 kilometers from west to east, Mount Songshan consists of Taishi and Shaoshi Mountains. As a produce of the lithosphere rising 2 million years ago, Mount Songshan enjoys a growing attraction as time goes by, favored by the nature with sculptures made by the wind and the rain. Xu Xiake, a widely-known geographer in the Ming Dynasty called it “Peculiar Scenery under the sun”.

Mount Songshan Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Song Shan 嵩山
• Best Time to Visit: March to May; September to November
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Hiking, Culture
• Opening Hours: 07:30-17:30
• Entrance Fee: CNY 100 for Shaolin Temple; CNY 60 for Yongshou Temple; CNY 30 for Songyang Academy; CNY 40 for Huishan Temple; CNY 30 for Zhongyue Temple; CNY 50 for Luya Waterfall
• Address: No. 146 Zhongyue Street, Dengfeng, Henan Province

What to expect at Mount Songshan

Out of the effect of many severe crust movements of the earth, the geological structure of the Songshan area is very complex, forming various kinds of geological views. Strata of five eras since the Archaeozoic to the Cenozoic are well kept as witnesses of the tremendous changes the central plain has experienced in more than 3 billion years. They are ideal for geological structure study and geological sightseeing as well, laurelled by geographers as the natural geological museum with “5 generations of landforms together”.

Songshan is a mountain of a long history with numerous spots of interests and historic sites. Located at the root of the Huanggai Peak of the Taishi Mountain, Zhongyue Temple, also called the “Taishi Temple” which was first built in the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C – 206 B.C.), was a shrine to offer sacrifices to the god of the Taishi Mountain. In 110 B.C., Emperor Hanwudi of the Han Dynasty came to the temple to offer sacrifices on his way of praying to gods. Arriving at the peak, he suddenly heard the mountains cheering him with “Long Live Your Majesty!” Out of great excitement, Wudi Emperor ordered to expand the building of Taishi Temple and conferred names such as the Majesty Peak, the Majesty Pavilion and the Majesty Palace there. Lying in the central China, Songshan Mountain is also called Zhongyue, literally the Middle Saint Mountain, and is regarded as the dwelling of the god of Zhongyue. Therefore, to pray for the stability of the nation, emperors of all generations came here to offer sacrifices.

Visiting the Mount Songshan, the natural museum of history, tourists will broaden their horizon in history and culture as well as enjoy the remarkable natural beauties.

How to get to Mount Songshan
• Take a bus from Zhengzhou Central Bus Station to the scenic area directly.
• Take a bus from Zhengzhou North Bus Station or General Bus Station to Dengfeng city. Then take Dengfeng Bus 2 to Songyang Academy in Songshan Mountain Scenic Area.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Zhengzhou to Mount Songshan.

Additional travel advice on Mount Songshan
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes.
• Prepare some food, drinkable water, in case no much vendors selling them on the Mountain.