Dear group members, I am Xiaotu: today I will take you on a tour of Zhongyue Song Mountain! Before leaving, I will give you a detailed introduction to the relevant information of Songshan, so that you can have a more comprehensive understanding of this trip.
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Basic information about Songshan
Songshan has a long history and can be called one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. In ancient times, it was an important area for human activities, and many ancient cultural sites have witnessed the dawn of human civilization.
As the place where the three religions gather, Buddhism was introduced into Songshan in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the Shaolin Temple is the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism.
Taoism has deep roots in Songshan, Zhongyue Temple was built in the Qin Dynasty, after several dynasties of repair and expansion, is an outstanding example of Taoist architectural art.
Confucian culture has left a deep imprint on Songyang Academy, and since the founding of the Northern Wei Dynasty, it has been the cultural and educational center of the Central Plains.
In addition, many emperors, generals, literati and writers have traveled to Songshan, leaving behind many legends and poems.
geography
Songshan Mountain is located in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, in the hinterland of the Central Plains, and is an important branch of the eastern section of the Qinling Mountains. It is composed of two peaks, Mount Taimuro and Mt. Shaomuro, with a total of 72 peaks, the main peak of Mount Taimuro is 1491.7 meters above sea level, and the elevation of Mt. Shaomuro Liantian Peak is 1512 meters.
Its geological structure is complex and diverse, with rich rock types and peculiar geological landscapes, such as book cliffs, etc., which is a natural “geological history book”.
Natural ecology
The scenery of Songshan Mountain is different in four seasons. Flowers bloom in spring, trees bloom in summer, red leaves in autumn and winter are covered in snow.
Folklore
Shaolin martial arts is a treasure of Songshan folk culture, which originated in Shaolin Temple and has undergone thousands of years of development. The Songshan Temple Fair is held in Zhongyue Temple and Shaolin Temple respectively on the 10th day of the 3rd and 10th days of the lunar calendar every year, with traditional folk performances, folk handicraft displays and special snacks.
Gourmet specialties
- Food: Dengfeng baked cakes, Songshan mustard silk, Shaolin vegetarian food, braised noodles, etc. Dengfeng baked cake has a crispy crust and a fragrant aroma; Songshan mustard silk has a refreshing taste; Shaolin vegetarian food is beautifully shaped and nutritious; The braised noodles are gluten, and the soup is delicious.
- Specialty: Songshan jade has a delicate and warm texture, which can be carved into exquisite jewelry; Honeysuckle is of good quality and has medicinal effects; The aroma of Zhongyue Xian tea is clear and long-lasting, and the taste is mellow and sweet.
traffic
- External transportation: The nearest airport to Songshan is Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, you can take the airport bus or rent a car to Dengfeng. Zhengzhou East Railway Station and Zhengzhou Railway Station have trains to all parts of the country, and Dengfeng City also has a railway station.
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Internal transportation: There are many bus lines connecting the urban area and various scenic spots in Songshan in Dengfeng City, as well as taxis and scenic sightseeing bus services.
lodging
- Dengfeng downtown hotel: There are five-star luxury hotels and budget hotels. Five-star hotel facilities are high-end and considerate service; The budget hotel is affordable and the rooms are clean and tidy. The downtown hotel has convenient transportation and abundant supporting facilities.
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Farmhouses near scenic spots: run by local villagers, the environment is rustic, the price is relatively low, so that tourists can feel the rural life, and can also taste the special farm food, but the accommodation conditions may be relatively simple.
Consumption per capita
The per capita consumption of a 2-3 day trip to Songshan is about 800-2000 yuan.
The total cost of tickets is about 200 – 300 yuan; The cost of transportation is about 100 – 300 yuan per person; The cost of accommodation is about 200 – 600 yuan per person; Food and beverage costs about 100 – 200 RMB per person per day; Other fees vary from person to person and range from $100 to $500.
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Next, Xiaotu will introduce you to the specific tourist routes and attractions of Songshan:
Tourist Routes:
Tourist Service Center→ Shaolin Temple is often hospitalized→ Tallinn → Chuzu Nunnery→ Dharma Cave → Erzu Nunnery→ Sanhuang Zhai → Liantian Suspension Bridge → Shushu Cliff → Zhongyue Temple→ Songyang Academy→ Taimur Mountain Steep Peak
Details:
1. Visitor Information Center
This is the starting point of the journey, providing services such as tourist consultation, ticket sales, and map distribution. There are parking lots, rest areas and dining facilities in the surrounding area. From here, take a sightseeing bus to Shaolin Temple and often stay hospitalized.
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2. Shaolin Temple is often hospitalized
Arrival by sightseeing car. This ancient temple built in the Northern Wei Dynasty is the birthplace of the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu.
The mountain gate is solemn and solemn, the central axis is distributed in the Tianwang Palace, the Daxiong Treasure Hall and other buildings, simple and elegant, magnificent, there are precious cultural relics such as Buddha statues, murals, inscriptions, etc., showing the cultural heritage of Buddhism.
The courtyard is shaded with trees and a flat stone path for resting at any time. When visiting, you need to abide by the temple rules, keep quiet, and do not touch the cultural relics.
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3. Tallinn
It is about a 15-minute walk from the hospital. This is the cemetery of the high monks of the past dynasties, there are 241 brick and stone tomb towers, various shapes, such as square, hexagonal, etc., the number of layers is different, and the deeds of the monks are engraved on the tower. The stone pavement in Tallinn is flat, and you can stop in the open space between the towers to feel the precipitation of history.
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4. Hatsujo-an
Leave Tallinn and follow the mountain trail in about 30 minutes. It was built to commemorate the patriarch of Bodhidharma, and was built in the seventh year of Xuanhe in the Northern Song Dynasty.
The building in the nunnery is simple, such as the mountain gate, the main hall, etc., the main hall has the style of the Song Dynasty, the bucket arch is huge, the beam frame structure is unique, and there are precious stone carvings, murals. Surrounded by greenery, it is quiet and quiet, and there are benches in the nunnery where you can rest.
Although the path is beautiful, it is bumpy, so pay attention to the safety of your feet and enjoy the scenery slowly.
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5. Dharma Cave
From Hatsujo-an, it takes about 1 hour to climb the stone steps of the mountain road. The mountain trail is steep and tests physical strength. Along the way, you can see strange peaks and strange rocks and dense forests, and the scenery is magnificent.
Bodhidharma Cave is said to be the place where Bodhidharma Patriarch has been facing the wall for nine years, and there is a stone statue of the patriarch in the cave. At the entrance of the cave, you can feel the mysterious atmosphere, enjoy the mountain scenery and take photos.
Rest every 20-30 minutes while climbing to hydrate, breathe, conserve energy, and hold on to the handrails to prevent slipping.
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6. Erzuan
It takes about 1.5 hours to get from the Dharma Cave, and the dirt road is difficult to navigate. On the way, you can enjoy the different features of Songshan Mountain, with peaks, valleys and streams. Erzu Nunnery is the place where Erzu Hui can practice, with ancient buildings and inscriptions, and has historical and cultural value. You can take a break in the inner courtyard of the nunnery and visit the buildings and cultural relics.
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7. Three Emperor Village
After arriving at the Erzu Nunnery, continue to walk to the Three Emperors Village. The natural scenery here is unique, and there are many strange geological landscapes. The mountain road is combined with the dirt road, so you need to walk with caution. There are viewing platforms along the way, where you can enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery and rest, recharge energy and hydration.
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8. Liantian Suspension Bridge
It is located in the Three Emperors Village Scenic Area. The suspension bridge spans between the two mountains, and under the bridge is a deep valley. Before crossing the bridge, you can calm down by the bridge and enjoy the canyon scenery. When crossing the bridge, keep your balance and move forward steadily, and don’t play around.
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9. Book Cliff
Walk across the Liantian Suspension Bridge not far away. Its rock formations are arranged upright, as spectacular as a history book, and it is a landmark landscape of Songshan quartzite landform. The surrounding roads are relatively flat, but close to cliffs, pay attention to safety and do not go near dangerous areas.
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10. Zhongyue Temple
After visiting the Book Cliff, head to it. Zhongyue Temple is a Taoist holy place, which was built in the Qin Dynasty, and the existing buildings are large-scale. There are buildings such as Tianzhong Pavilion, Junji Gate, Zhongyue Hall and so on in the temple, with red walls and green tiles, and the gold is splendid.
The layout of the central axis can be visited in turn. The road inside the temple is flat, so you can rest on the promenade or in the shade of a tree to rehydrate. Respect Taoist beliefs and customs when visiting, and do not make noise.
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11. Songyang Academy
Depart from Zhongyue Temple. It is one of the four great academies in ancient times, founded by the Northern Wei Dynasty. The building layout of the college is rigorous, with a temple, a lecture hall, a library building, etc. The ancient cypress is towering to the sky and has a strong cultural atmosphere.
The courtyard is a flat road, where you can slowly appreciate the details of ancient buildings and cultural connotations, and the tour lasts about 1-2 hours, during which you can rest in the courtyard and rehydrate.
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12. The steep peak of Mt. Taimuro
Go up the mountain from the back mountain of Songyang Academy. The main peak is 1491.7 meters above sea level, and the mountain is steep, requiring physical strength and endurance to climb. There are scenic spots such as Long Live Peak along the way, which can overlook the whole picture of Dengfeng urban area.
Rest at regular intervals while hiking to replenish energy and hydration and maintain physical strength. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach the summit, and after reaching the top, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery and feel the “view of the mountains”.
After enjoying the scenery, the route of the whole journey is basically over. You can go down the mountain by the same way or go down from the Luya Waterfall Road, which is long and requires physical strength and patience.
The best season to visit Songshan and the duration of the tour
- Best seasons to visit: Spring (March – May) and Autumn (September – November). The mountains are full of flowers in spring and the red leaves are full of autumn leaves, and the climate is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful.
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Tour duration: It is recommended to arrange 2-3 days to fully appreciate the natural scenery and historical and cultural relics of Songshan Mountain, and experience folk customs.
Qiantu Outdoor Tips:
- Warm up before climbing and choose suitable climbing equipment, such as comfortable sneakers, trekking poles, etc.
- Follow the scenic signs during the climbing, do not deviate from the route, and do not stop in the dangerous area to take pictures.
- Carry enough water and food to replenish your energy and hydration in time.
- Pay attention to the weather changes, stop climbing in case of bad weather, and find a safe place to take shelter.
- Abide by public order in the scenic area, take care of the environment, and do not litter.
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs, and behave appropriately in temples and Taoist temples.