Mount Lu: National Geopark of China
Mount Lu, listed as the World Heritage Site in 1996, is one of the spiritual centers of Chinese civilization. With its unique ways, the Buddhist and Taoist temples, along with the landmarks of Confucianism, are blended into outstanding natural landscapes, forming cultural landscape while have high aesthetic value and is closely linked with the national spirit and cultural life.
Located in Jiangxi Province, it borders Yangtze River to the north and Poyang Lake to the east. It could easily reach Mount Lu from the tourist cities like Nanchang, Wuhan, and Jingdezhen etc.
Mount Lu Brief Introduction
Lushan Mountain is famous for its cliffs, sea of clouds and waterfalls, which combines scenery, religion, education and culture. The large rivers, lakes and mountains in the scenic area form one integrated mass and a world-famous summer resort.
The main peak, Big Hanyang Peak, is 1,474 meters above sea level. "A misty land in spring, a green jade in summer, an intoxicating crimson in autumn and a white jade in winter" is a popular local saying and still the best description for the scenery of the Lushan Mountain.
Highlights of Mount Lu
Highlights One: Watch Sunrise at Hanpo Pass
Hanpo Pass is the ideal place to watch sunrise and the sea of clouds. Here you can see the whole Poyang Lake which is the largest fresh lake in China, with rich resource of water and species. When the sun rises above the lake, all the mountains are golden. It seems that you are bathed in the light from heaven.
Suggested time: If you come in summer, you should get up early for the sun always rises at 05:15-05:30. If you come in winter, watch sunrise at 06:40-07:20.
Highlights Two: Watch Sunset at Big Heavenly Pool
Big Heavenly Pool is ideal to view a sunset and enjoy the Yangtze River. In the southwest of Guling Town, it has a larger size compared with the Less Heavenly Pool.
Suggested time: If you come in summer, you’ll see sunset at around 19:00-19:20. If you come in winter, watch sunset at 17:20-17:40.
Highlights Three: Appreciate Beautiful Waterfalls
Three Step Waterfall is the most outstanding waterfall attraction in Mt. Lushan. Originating in Dayue Mountain, the spring angles around the backside of Five-Old-Men Peak and pours into Nine Tier Gully, crashing twice upon rocks, and then converges into a torrent and drops once again. Driven by the gully wind, the tiny drops dance in the misty air, sparkling in the sunlight and falling like countless dazzling pearls.
Highlights Four: Explore Cultural Sites
The Temples and churches representing Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity and Catholicism can still be found on the mountain. That five religions can peacefully coexist on one mountain is a rare and wonderful thing. Besides, White Deer Cavern Academy ranks first among the four major ancient schools of China. Mount Lu also boasts a long humanist history and is the cradle of traditional Chinese landscape poems. Moreover, the various western styles villas (Russia, Britain, America, France, Germany and Italy) in Guling Town are worth seeing.
Mount Lu Travel Routes
There are two routes of Mount Lu - Western Route and Eastern Route. If you have two days, you’d better visit western route on the first day and eastern route on the next day.
Main Attractions of Western Route: Flower Path, Jinxiu Valley, Immortal Caverns, Imperial Stone Tablet Pavilion, Big Heavenly Pool, Stone Gate Valley, Yellow Dragon Pool, Black Dragon Pool, Three Ancient trees, Lulin Lake, Lushan Museum etc.