[2025 Dengfeng Attraction] Travel Guide for Taishi Mountain (Updated Aug)

💥Hey everyone, today we're conquering Taishi Mountain, the leader of the Five Sacred Mountains! This iconic Central Plains peak favored by emperors not only boasts an impressive altitude of 1,490 meters but also carries thousands of years of Chinese civilization history. From Songyang Academy to ancient pagoda clusters, from Junji Peak to Fawang Temple, every site tells a unique story. 🏔️【Core Values of Taishi Mountain】 ✨Geographical Significance as Leader of Five Sacred Mountains: • Junji Peak stands majestically at 1,490m in Central Plains • First established sacred mountain among the Five Sacred Mountains • Outstanding representative of Songshan's geology and history ✨Rich Cultural Heritage: • Songyang Academy - birthplace of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism • Ancient trees witnessing 4,500 years of Chinese civilization • Songyue Temple Pagoda (Northern Wei) & Fawang Temple Pagoda (Early Tang) • Millennium-old Fawang Temple bestowed by Emperor Ming of Han 🌳【Must-Visit Attractions】 🔍 Songyang Academy: • Sacred site of Neo-Confucianism, prestigious Song Dynasty academy • 4,500-year-old "General Cypress" trees • Giant Tang Dynasty stele recording academy's history • Key highlight for Songshan's World Heritage application 🔍 Ancient Pagoda Complex: • Songyue Temple Pagoda (1,500 years old): ◦ Fusion of Indian and Northern Dynasties architectural styles ◦ Majestic silhouette of this millennium-old pagoda • Fawang Temple Pagoda (1,300 years old): ◦ 15-tiered dense-eave brick pagoda ◦ Surpasses Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in scale ◦ Equally renowned as White Horse Temple 🔍 Junji Peak: • Main peak of Taishi Mountain at 1,490m • Site of Empress Wu Zetian's Fengshan ritual platform • Breathtaking "Lofty as Mountain, Reaching Heaven" scenery 🚩【Hiking Route Guide】 ⏰Recommended Itinerary: 9:20 Depart from Songyang Academy → 10:00 Taishi Mountain Square (optional shuttle) → 11:20 Zhongyue Palace (start steepest section) → 13:00 Junji Peak Summit (Wu Zetian's ritual site) → 15:40 Fawang Temple → 17:30 End 💡Tips: • Shuttle available at Songyue Temple entrance • Panoramic mountain views from Junji Peak • Fawang Temple and Songyue Temple are nearby 💡【Cultural Insights】 Taishi Mountain is like a three-dimensional textbook of Chinese civilization: • Ancient trees witnessing 4,500 years of history • Academy preserving Neo-Confucian wisdom • Pagodas telling stories of architectural fusion • Junji Peak embodying the grandeur of "Lofty as Mountain" Standing atop Junji Peak, gazing at the sea of mountains, one can almost hear the ancient melody of "Song Gao" from the Book of Songs echoing through the valleys. This emperor-favored peak carries not only magnificent natural scenery but also the spiritual essence of Chinese civilization spanning millennia.

📍 Songshan Scenic Area, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan 🗺️Route: South Gate of Mount Song → Junji Peak → Luya Waterfall → Main Gate of Luya Waterfall Scenic Area 🎫If only hiking, purchase the full-price ticket for Taishi Mountain at 50💰/person ⏰12:00−19:00 (7 hours) 👉🏻Photography takes about 2 hours. The difficulty is moderate, similar to Shenzhen's Wutong Mountain, with many steps. Both ascent and descent are mostly stair paths, so knee pads are essential❗️ 🎒Since all four of us carried heavy backpacks (no small bags), we just brought one bottle of water and knee pads each. Our snacks were leftover buns from breakfast. 👟Regular sports shoes are sufficient for this route—no need for hiking boots, just comfortable ones. 🍞Plenty of supplies along the way: mineral water starts at 3💰/bottle at the beginning and 8💰/bottle at the summit. Sausages and instant noodles🍜 are also widely available. 🚾Restrooms🚻 are frequent on the way up but scarce during descent, so use them when you see them to avoid long waits later. 🦯Hiking poles are helpful—recommended if you have them. ⚠️If starting after 12:00 PM, bring a headlamp. The dense forest canopy makes it dark quickly. 🕑12:00 Depart from the South Gate of Mount Song. 12:15 Reach "Gao Shan Yang Zhi"—5.2km to the summit. 13:00 Arrive at the hiking entrance with a ticket office and a photo spot at the "Central Sacred Mountain Mount Song" stone📷. 13:30 Finish photos + ticket purchase, enter via ID scan. 13:40 Reach Taishi Xiandu (Laojun Cave). 14:10 Arrive at the 3.5km marker (see photo). 15:10 Reach Sanhuangkou. 15:40 Summit at Junji Peak (6km). The sign there had a long photo queue, so we skipped it and descended (for us, anywhere can be a photo spot—we improvise and crowds follow😂). 🕓15:45 Start descending via Luya Waterfall. 16:20 At 7.5km, a tree grows horizontally across the path—we climbed it for a 30-minute photoshoot. 17:25 First restroom🚻 on descent (10.5km). 17:40 Reach Yixiantian (near 12km), paused for another 30-minute photoshoot. 18:20 See Luya Waterfall. A short walk leads to a suspension bridge. 18:55 Descent complete✅

Taishi Mountain offers three routes to the summit. Following the advice of the local innkeeper's daughter, I chose the Songyang Academy route for its convenient transportation and the opportunity to visit the academy along the way. Initially, I planned to take a bus and transfer to reach Songyang Academy. However, upon reaching the main road from the inn, I discovered a local minibus (¥5) that shuttles between Mount Song and Shaolin Temple, with a confirmed stop at Songyang Academy. I quickly hopped on and arrived in no time. To avoid the academy closing after descending the mountain, I decided to visit Songyang Academy (entrance fee ¥30) first. As one of the four great ancient academies, it was originally a Taoist temple before becoming a Confucian academy during the Song Dynasty. The most remarkable feature of the academy is its two ancient cypress trees, known as the General Cypresses, estimated to be 4,500 years old. These majestic trees are truly awe-inspiring. Exiting Songyang Academy and turning right leads to the mountain trail. On this Sunday, there were quite a few hikers. The initial 2 kilometers involve a gentle stone stair climb to reach the entrance of the Taishi Mountain Scenic Area (entrance fee ¥50). The trail consists entirely of stone steps, with a 3-kilometer ascent requiring over 4,000 steps. Although shaded by trees, the trail offers limited views, with occasional glimpses of mountain peaks at the turns. No wonder online reviews describe the trail as unremarkable except for the summit. After about 3 hours, I reached the highest point, Junji Peak (elevation 1,491.73 meters). I then descended the same way, completing the round trip of approximately 12 kilometers in about 6 hours.

Hey guys, today I'm going to bring you a super detailed guide to Mount Song, so let's climb to the top and enjoy the beauty and charm of Mount Song! 📍Mount Song is located in Dengfeng City, Henan Province. It is one of the Five Great Mountains of China and is known as the "Center of Heaven and Earth." 🎫Tickets: 1. Shaolin Temple Scenic Area: CNY 80 2. Zhongyue Songshan Scenic Area: CNY 70 (including Taishi Mountain, Songyang Academy, etc.) 🚗Transportation: 1. Public transportation: First, arrive in Dengfeng City. There are several bus routes in Dengfeng City that can take you to the Mount Song Scenic Area. 2. Self-driving: Navigate directly to the Mount Song Scenic Area parking lot, which is convenient for parking. 🌄Hiking routes: 1. Taishi Mountain Route: Songyang Academy - Laomu Cave - Junji Peak This is the classic hiking route of Mount Song. Starting from Songyang Academy, walk along the ancient stone road and pass through Laomu Cave. Along the way, you will see dense forests and strangely shaped rocks. Laomu Cave is a natural cave dedicated to Wuji Laomu. Continue climbing and finally reach Junji Peak. Standing on the top of the peak, you can see the rolling mountains, and the magnificent scenery will leave you in awe. 2. Shaoshi Mountain Route: Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area Entrance - Haohan Slope - Nantianmen - Suspension Bridge - Shaolin Temple Shaoshi Mountain is famous for its steep and unique scenery. Starting from the entrance of Sanhuangzhai Scenic Area, you will be greeted by the steep Haohan Slope, which requires some physical strength and perseverance. Climb up Haohan Slope, pass through Nantianmen, cross the thrilling suspension bridge, and finally reach Shaolin Temple. The strange peaks, rocks, and cliffs along the way make you marvel at the wonders of nature. 🌟Recommended attractions: 1. Junji Peak: The main peak of Mount Song, with an altitude of 1,491.7 meters. Climbing to the top of the peak, you will feel like you are in the clouds, and the surrounding scenery is picturesque. In the morning, you can see the beautiful sunrise; in the evening, you can enjoy the charming sunset. 2. Shaolin Temple: This world-famous Buddhist temple is not only magnificent in architecture but also has a profound historical and cultural heritage. Here, you can watch wonderful martial arts performances and experience the unique charm of Zen and martial arts. 3. Songyang Academy: It is one of the ancient higher education institutions in China, and its simple and elegant architecture is full of cultural atmosphere. In the academy, you can almost hear the sound of students reading aloud in the past. 4. Sanhuangzhai: The cliffs here are steep, and the scenery is beautiful. Especially in autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves, adding a touch of romance. 📸Photography tips: 1. When shooting sunrise or sunset at Junji Peak, it is recommended to find a good shooting location in advance, use a tripod to stabilize the camera, and adjust the exposure parameters to capture spectacular and shocking photos. 2. The architectural style of Shaolin Temple is unique, with red walls and yellow tiles, suitable for shooting ancient-style photos. You can choose to shoot in the morning or evening, using soft light to create a simple atmosphere. 3. The suspension bridge at Sanhuangzhai is an excellent photo spot. Standing on the bridge, with the strange peaks and rocks behind you as the background, you can take thrilling and beautiful photos. 🍜Recommended food: 1. Dengfeng Sesame Baked Cake: Golden and crispy on the outside, soft and multi-layered on the inside, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and full of aroma. 2. Dengfeng Braised Lamb: A stew made with tender lamb and rich side dishes, with a fresh and delicious soup and tender meat, paired with baked cakes, is simply amazing. 3. Stir-fried Knife-cut Noodles: Handmade knife-cut noodles with a smooth and chewy texture, stir-fried with various vegetables and seasonings, with a rich flavor that is unforgettable. 💡Notes: 1. Check the weather forecast in advance and choose appropriate clothing and hiking equipment according to the weather conditions. If it is rainy, be careful of slipping; if it is sunny, take sun protection measures. 2. Pay attention to safety during hiking and follow the signs and designated routes. Do not leave the route without permission to avoid danger. 3. Bring enough water and food, as there are relatively few supply points on the mountain. At the same time, pay attention to environmental protection and take your garbage down the mountain. Come to Mount Song to challenge yourself and experience the charm of nature! I believe this will be an unforgettable trip!💖

👉 It takes about two hours by car from Luohe to reach the destination. Starting from Yongtai Temple, you begin the climb. Taishi Mountain is underfoot, and Shaoshi Mountain is in the distance, offering stunning scenery. 🦻 It is said that this route is called Wudaozhang because you need to cross five peaks, which resemble Buddhist stupas (chuang), hence the name. The entire route is 9 kilometers, ending at an alpine meadow. You can bring a hammock or moisture-proof mat to rest in the meadow. 😎 Although it is a beginner's climbing route and does not require ropes, scrambling over rocks can still be a bit dangerous. My partner is afraid of heights and didn't dare to look back while climbing because there were sheer cliffs behind. Many newcomers in our group said they would never come again after descending 😄😄😄. ✨ Previously, when taking the cable car in the scenic area, I wondered what it would feel like to walk among the mountains. Now I understand that it feels like I am measuring, feeling, and touching the mountain step by step. It's much more interesting than taking the cable car, but of course, this must be done while ensuring your safety. Every step must be steady and firm to better experience the joy of climbing!

Qimu Que, also known as Kaimu Que, is located at the foot of Wansui Peak on the southern slope of Mount Taishi in Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan Province. It is the spirit way que in front of Qimu Temple, built in the second year of Yang Guang (123 AD) by Zhu Chong, the governor of Yingchuan, and is known as one of the 'Three Han Que of Zhongyue' along with Taishi Que and Shaoshi Que. Qimu Que is carved and built from stone, consisting of two separate que to the east and west, with the existing height being 3.17 meters. On the north side of the western que, there are two inscriptions. One is the Qimu Que inscription in seal script; the other is the Rain Prayer inscription, written in clerical script below the Qimu Que inscription by Tang Xi Dian. The body of the que is carved with scenes of horse taming, horseback riding, acrobatics, magic, elephant training, Guo Ju burying his son, Yu the Great transforming into a bear, dismounting from a horse, hunting, a tiger chasing a deer, double dragons, images of the Moon Palace, and Cuju (ancient football). The top of the que is carved with architectural components such as tile ridges, tile ends, flat tiles, and hanging ridges. Among them, the image of women playing Cuju is an important physical evidence that football originated in China. The carving art of Qimu Que has high historical, artistic, and scientific value and holds an important position in the history of world historical epigraphy and stone carving. The architectural components carved on the top of the que provide physical evidence for the study of Han Dynasty architecture. On March 4, 1961, Qimu Que was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units; On August 1, 2010, the historical architectural complex of Dengfeng 'Center of Heaven and Earth', which includes Qimu Que, was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Mount Taishi is located north of Dengfeng City in Henan Province. It is the eastern peak of Mount Song, with the highest peak, Junji Peak, reaching an elevation of 1491.73m. Mount Taishi has a total of thirty-six peaks, with verdant rocks and cliffs interspersed among them. The peaks rise in a circular fashion, resembling the shape of a lotus. Famous attractions include: Lu Cliff Waterfall, Songmen Waiting for the Moon, One-Line Sky, Junji Peak, Qinggangping, White Crane Observatory, Chongtang Observatory, Qimu Que, Lao Mu Cave, Zhongyue Temple, Huishan Temple, Songyang Academy, Songyue Temple Pagoda, Dafawang Temple, Yongtai Temple, and more. Mount Taishi has a complex geological structure with numerous mineral resources. It has a rich total amount and variety of animal resources. The vegetation is dense, including a large number of timber plants, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, and more. Mount Taishi does not have a cable car and requires hiking the entire way. The journey up and down the mountain is long. Even for those in good physical condition, it takes six to seven hours to complete the entire journey.

This is definitely the top choice for a free suburban tour in Zhengzhou! —— Songshan Grand Canyon. Songshan Grand Canyon is part of the Songshan Taishi Mountain range, less than 100 kilometers away from Zhengzhou. The canyon starts from Chuandao Spring in the south and extends to Daobai Gully in the north. The sedimentary rocks formed by the ancient river erosion have created a unique landscape! Navigation address: Songshan Grand Canyon Located in Gongchuan Village, Gongyi City, there is parking and vendors selling water at the entrance. The big rock on the cover is on one side of the plank road, where you can overlook the entire canyon, which is very spectacular. Free scenic area, there are signs at the entrance!!