Yandang Mountain

The pleasant outdoor environment, fresh mountain air, and cool stream water make it a pleasant summer holiday resort, getting a lot of popularity both at home and abroad. Covering an area of 294.6 square kilometers, the place features volcanic rocks, deep valleys, precipitous peaks, mysterious caves and strange rock formations. There are more than 500 scenic spots scattering the 8 major areas. The Spiritual Peaks, the Big Dragon Waterfall and the Spiritual Rocks are so exceptional and magnificent that they shared the title of "the top spot in Yandang Mountain".

The Yandang Mountain's development started in the Northern and Southern Dynasty (420 AD-581AD), flourished in the Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907AD), and bloomed in the Song Dynasty (960 AD-1279AD). During the development, the scenic spot has accumulated rich historical and cultural treasures. The unique and splendid mountainous scenery in the Yandang Mountain area has attracted a large number of monks and literati. There are 21 temples, 6 Taoist temples, 11 nunneries, 3 halls, 10 monasteries, 22 pavilions and some other religious buildings located here.

Temples were built beneath steep peaks, and the construction was done in harmony with caves and their ecosystems. Those particular buildings represent an integration of human culture and natural environment. The decorated archways in Nange village and other historical relics and residential areas are still well-preserved in rural settlements in this area.

Fog forms in the upper peaks of of Yandang Mountain in East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo by Liang Daming/photoint.net]

The mountainous area consists of the North Yandang Peak, the South Yandang Peak and the Middle Yandang Peak. In the northern Song Dynasty (960 AD-1127AD), scientist Shen Kuo (1031 AD-1095 AD) wrote that the flow of water formed the erosion terrain in the Yandang Mountain area. This theory about erosion was put forward more than 600 years before the Europeans proposed it. It is reported that Yandang Mountain was formed due to activity of a typical rhyolitic caldera complex around 120 million years ago in the Cretaceous period. In addition to its cultural significance, the area also serves as an important place for studying the effect of volcanic activity during the Mesozoic

 Era.

Scenic spot level: AAAAA

Ideal sightseeing season: all year

Opening hours: Different spots open at different times

Ticket price: No more than 50 yuan ($7.20)

Address: Xianglintou village, Yandang town, Zhejiang province

Website: http://zx.wzyds.com/(Chinese)
http://en.wzyds.com/(English)

Notes: 
Weekends are peak travel time. Train and bus tickets are very difficult to buy and the accommodation is often full. Also, the Spiritual Peaks are even more dazzling at night, so don't miss them.