Mount Longhu

Background

Mount Longhu lies in Guixi City, Yingtan, Jiangxi, about 20 km from downtown Yingtan; the Luxi River winds through it, with red sandstone peaks lining its banks. The cliffs hold tombs left by the ancient Yue people more than 2,000 years ago, with coffins placed in caves in sheer rock faces, most densely around Xianshuiyan. On August 1, 2010, the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee inscribed China Danxia as a World Natural Heritage Site, with Mount Longhu as one of its components. In the mid-Eastern Han, Zhang Ling (Zhang Daoling), founder of the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice, made elixirs here, and the mountain later became a key center of Zhengyi Taoism; it is counted with Wudang, Qingcheng and Qiyun among China's four sacred Taoist mountains. The Mansion of the Celestial Master in central Shangqing town was the residence of the successive Celestial Masters Zhang; most of its buildings are Qing restorations or modern reconstructions, the latest major repair in 1990. Shangqing Temple was one of the famous Taoist temples of the Song dynasty; today's temple is a recent reconstruction that keeps the Shangqing Temple bronze bell.

Local customs

• Float down the Luxi River on a bamboo raft past Danxia peaks and cliff tombs
• visit the Mansion of the Celestial Master and Shangqing Temple
• stroll the old street of Shangqing town
• follow the trails through Danxia scenery.

Travel tips

• Bamboo rafts and scenic-area shuttles are charged separately, at officially announced prices
• the cliff tombs are high on sheer rock, so they are mostly viewed from a distance
• in summer bring sun protection and insect repellent, and allow most of a day.
• Take a high-speed train to Yingtan North Station, then a bus or taxi to the scenic area
• buses also run directly from downtown Yingtan, and shuttles and rafts operate inside. Any season works: spring flowers reflect in the river, autumn is clear and crisp, summer is the most popular time for rafting, and winter is quiet.