Lushan Scenic Area is located in Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province. It is a World Cultural Heritage site, a World Geopark, and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Famous for its "majesty, strangeness, steepness, and beauty", it has long been praised as "Kuanglu's beauty is unparalleled under heaven". The total area of the scenic area is 302 square kilometers, with the main peak Hanyang Peak reaching an altitude of 1474 meters. The mountain is elliptical in shape, surrounded by the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake, forming a unique mountain climate with an average annual temperature of 11.4°C. It is cool and pleasant in summer, making it a famous summer resort. The scenic area boasts natural landscapes such as waterfalls, peaks, strange rocks, and seas of clouds, as well as cultural buildings like temples, academies, and villas. There are over 200 scenic spots in total, including 12 World Cultural Heritage sites and 18 national key cultural relics protection units, forming a three-dimensional picture where nature and humanity blend.
History and Culture
The history and culture of Lushan can be traced back to the Warring States Period, when it was called "Kuangshan". It is said that seven brothers of the Kuang family built huts and lived in seclusion here during the Zhou Dynasty, hence the name "Lushan". During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to Lushan. In 386 AD, the eminent monk Huiyuan founded the Pure Land Sect at Donglin Temple, making Lushan one of China's Buddhist holy lands, and Donglin Temple became the ancestral court of the Pure Land Sect, one of the eight major Buddhist sects.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Lushan's culture reached its peak. Literati and poets such as Li Bai, Bai Juyi, and Su Shi flocked here, leaving behind eternal masterpieces like "The waterfall flies down three thousand feet" and "Viewed horizontally, it is a range; viewed vertically, a peak". More than 300 inscriptions from past dynasties still exist. In the Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi gave lectures at Bailudong Academy, making it the top of China's four ancient academies and promoting the spread and development of Neo-Confucianism.
In modern times, Lushan became an important political and cultural stage. The "Lushan Talk" delivered here in 1937 laid the foundation for the nationwide resistance against Japanese aggression. Three plenary sessions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee were held here in 1959, 1961, and 1970, with far-reaching influences. In addition, from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, about 1,600 villas of various styles were built on Lushan, covering architectural styles from over 20 countries including Britain, the United States, and France, earning it the title of "Museum of World Villa Architecture". In 1996, Lushan was listed on the World Heritage List as a "World Cultural Landscape".
Main Attractions
Three-Tiered Spring (Santiaquan)
Three-Tiered Spring is the most famous waterfall in Lushan, located at the lower part of Wulaofeng (Five Old Peaks). It gets its name because the water flows down in three tiers, with a total drop of 155 meters, and is known as "the first wonder of Lushan". The spring water flows from Dayue Mountain, first passing through a narrow cliff valley to form the first tier of the waterfall with a drop of about 50 meters; then it pours down the cliff to the second platform, forming the second tier with a drop of about 40 meters; finally, it flows into the third-tier deep pool with a drop of about 65 meters, making a roaring sound and presenting a majestic scene. Visitors need to walk more than 1,400 steps to reach the viewing platform, enjoying the canyon scenery along the way. During the rainy season (April-June), the water volume is abundant, making the scenery particularly spectacular.
Hanpokou
Hanpokou is located in the middle section of Hanpoling in the eastern valley of Lushan, at an altitude of 1286 meters. It gets its name because it looks like a mouth containing Poyang Lake, and is the best place to watch the sunrise over Poyang Lake and the sea of clouds. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the lake on one side, it offers a wide view, allowing visitors to overlook the lake and mountain scenery. Wangpo Pavilion and Hanpo Pavilion are built on Hanpoling, with Wangpo Pavilion being the best spot to watch the sunrise. In summer, the sunrise time is around 5:30-6:00. When the sun rises, the lake surface shimmers with golden light, interweaving with the sea of clouds to form a magnificent landscape. In addition, Litoujian Mountain on the west side of Hanpokou and Wulaofeng on the east side stand opposite each other, forming a natural pass with majestic momentum.
Bailudong Academy
Bailudong Academy is located at the southern foot of Wulaofeng. It was founded during the Sheng Yuan period of the Southern Tang Dynasty (937-943 AD) and is one of China's four ancient academies. The existing architectural complex covers an area of about 30,000 square meters, consisting of more than 10 buildings such as the Hall of Rituals and Sages, the Hall of Ming Lun, and the White Deer Cave, retaining the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The academy houses cultural relics such as ancient pines planted by Zhu Xi and inscriptions from past dynasties. Among them, the "Bailudong Academy Manifesto" inscribed on a stele, formulated by Zhu Xi, became the criterion for ancient academy education. The "White Deer Cave" in the scenic area is said to be the place where Li Bo raised deer during his seclusion in the Tang Dynasty, and there is a stone-carved white deer in front of the cave, which is a landmark of the academy.
Huajing (Flower Path)
Huajing is located in the western valley of Guling. It is said that Bai Juyi, when serving as Sima of Jiangzhou in the Tang Dynasty, once enjoyed flowers and wrote poems here, hence the name "Huajing". The total area of the scenic area is about 100,000 square meters, with the theme of appreciating flowers and commemorating Bai Juyi, and includes landscapes such as Bai Juyi's Thatched Cottage, Huajing Lake, and Ruqin Lake (Lute Lake). Bai Juyi's Thatched Cottage is an imitation of Tang Dynasty architecture, displaying Bai Juyi's poems and life materials. Huajing Lake (Ruqin Lake) is named because its surface resembles a violin, covering an area of about 110,000 square meters. The lake is surrounded by lush trees, and lotus flowers bloom in summer, presenting a quiet and beautiful scene. Every April-May, peach blossoms and cherry blossoms in the garden bloom in competition, making it a popular destination for flower appreciation in spring.
Meilu Villa
Meilu Villa is located in the eastern valley of Guling. It is a British country-style building, built in 1903, covering an area of about 4,928 square meters with a construction area of 996 square meters. It is famous because Chiang Kai-shek and Soong May-ling once lived here. The villa consists of a main building, an auxiliary building, and a garden. The main building preserves the furniture, utensils, and historical photos of that time, showing the living scenes of the Republic of China period. In the courtyard, there is a crape myrtle tree planted by Soong May-ling herself and a stone stele inscribed with "Meilu" by Chiang Kai-shek. Mao Zedong also lived here in 1959. Meilu Villa is a representative of the Lushan villa group and is now a national key cultural relics protection unit.
Food
Lushan Cloud and Mist Tea
Lushan Cloud and Mist Tea is one of China's top ten famous teas. It gets its name because it grows in the cloud-shrouded areas above 800 meters above sea level on Lushan, with a history of more than 1,000 years. The tea leaves are tightly twisted in shape, green in color, and after brewing, they have a high and refreshing aroma, a mellow and sweet taste. Authentic products can be purchased at the "Cloud and Mist Tea House" on Guling Street. The price of super-grade Cloud and Mist Tea is about 600-800 yuan per catty, and first-grade tea is 300-500 yuan per catty. Visitors can also experience tea picking and tea making in the tea garden.
Stone Chicken
Stone Chicken is a special frog species in Lushan, with the scientific name of spiny-breasted frog. It grows in mountain streams, with tender meat and rich in protein. The classic way to cook stone chicken in scenic area restaurants is braised stone chicken, which is stewed with chili, ginger, and other seasonings, tasting delicious. Each serving is about 500 grams, priced at 88 yuan. In addition, clear stewed stone chicken has a sweet soup, suitable for visitors with a light taste, priced at 98 yuan per serving.
Stone Ear
Stone Ear is a kind of fungus growing on the cliffs of Lushan, shaped like fungus, rich in various minerals, and known as "mountain treasure". Locally, it is often stewed with chicken: stone ear and local chicken are stewed together for 2-3 hours, resulting in a rich soup with abundant nutrition, which is a good tonic. Each serving is priced at 128 yuan. This specialty dish can be tasted at the "Lushan Family" restaurant on Guling Street.
Surrounding Food
There are more characteristic foods in Jiujiang City, 30 kilometers away from Lushan Scenic Area, such as "radish cakes", which are filled with shredded radish, fried, crispy outside and tender inside, priced at 2 yuan each, available at the "Time-honored Radish Cake Shop" in Xunyang District; "Jiujiang fried noodles" are made with local rice noodles, stir-fried with eggs, vegetables, etc., priced at 8 yuan per serving, and are a favorite breakfast of Jiujiang people. In addition, the "Riverside Fish Restaurant" near Xunyang Tower features fresh ingredients from Poyang Lake, and dishes such as steamed white fish and yellow catfish boiled with tofu are very popular, with an average consumption of about 60 yuan per person.
Tickets
The ticket price is 160 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "一机游庐山" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
It is open all year round, with specific opening hours as follows:
- Peak season (April 1 - November 30): 6:00 - 20:00;
- Off-season (December 1 - March 31 of the next year): 7:00 - 19:00. The opening hours of all attractions in the scenic area are the same as the scenic area. The operating hours of the Three-Tiered Spring Cable Car are 8:00 - 17:00 (peak season) and 8:30 - 16:30 (off-season).
Tour Route
Recommended three-day in-depth tour route: Day 1: Arrive at Lushan in the morning, take a sightseeing bus to Guling Street to check in, then visit Huajing, Ruqin Lake, and Bai Juyi's Thatched Cottage to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery; in the afternoon, go to Jinxiugu (Splendid Valley), hike along the 1.5-kilometer canyon plank road to watch landscapes such as Tianqiao (Sky Bridge) and Xianfeng (Dangerous Peak), and enjoy the sunset at Hanpokou in the evening. Day 2: Go to Hanpokou at 5:30 in the early morning to watch the sunrise, go to Three-Tiered Spring at 7:30 to experience the fun of hiking down the mountain to watch the waterfall, return to Guling for lunch at 11:00; in the afternoon, visit Meilu Villa and the former site of the Lushan Conference to learn about modern history, and go shopping on Guling Street to buy specialties in the evening. Day 3: Go to Bailudong Academy in the morning to visit the ancient academy buildings and feel the cultural heritage; have lunch at a restaurant near the academy at noon; in the afternoon, visit Donglin Temple to see the ancestral court of the Pure Land Sect, and end the trip and go down the mountain at 15:00. This route is about 35 kilometers in total, combining natural landscapes and cultural history, suitable for visitors with sufficient time.
Transportation
- Sightseeing bus: The scenic area has sightseeing bus connections, with two types of tickets: 80 yuan per person (24 hours) and 100 yuan per person (72 hours), covering all major attractions, with a frequency of every 15-30 minutes.
- External transportation:
- Train: Take a train to Jiujiang Station, then go to Jiujiang Bus Terminal after exiting the station to take a tourist bus directly to Lushan, with a journey of about 1 hour and a ticket price of 15 yuan per person;
- Self-driving: Starting from Jiujiang urban area, drive along Hangrui Expressway to Lushan Exit, enter the scenic area via Beishan Highway or Nanshan Highway, with a journey of about 40 minutes, and the parking fee in the scenic area is 50 yuan per day;
- Plane: It is about 120 kilometers away from Nanchang Changbei International Airport. You can take an airport bus to Jiujiang urban area, then transfer to a tourist bus to Lushan, with a total journey of about 2.5 hours, and the airport bus ticket price is 60 yuan per person.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Three-Tiered Spring: A 155-meter three-tiered waterfall, a landmark landscape of Lushan, requiring a hike of 1,400 steps, it is recommended to take the cable car (80 yuan one-way) down.
- Hanpokou: At an altitude of 1286 meters, the best place to watch the sunrise over Poyang Lake and the sea of clouds, open for free, need to arrive early to occupy a spot in peak season.
- Bailudong Academy: The top of China's four ancient academies, with a 30,000-square-meter Ming and Qing architectural complex, to experience ancient educational culture, included in the ticket.
- Meilu Villa: A 996-square-meter British-style building, showing the history of the Republic of China and the life of celebrities, a national key cultural relics protection unit, included in the ticket.
- Jinxiugu: A 1.5-kilometer canyon plank road, with landscapes such as Tianqiao and Xianfeng along the way, famous for its strangeness and steepness, open for free, suitable for hiking.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend 3 days for the tour. The best tourist seasons are summer (June-August, for summer resort) and autumn (September-October, with clear and crisp weather, suitable for watching the sea of clouds).
- The mountain climate is changeable, so it is necessary to bring rain gear and coats. Even in summer, long-sleeved clothes should be prepared, as the temperature difference between morning and evening can reach more than 10°C.
- The steps of Three-Tiered Spring are steep, so it is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes. The elderly can choose to take the cable car up and down (80 yuan one-way, 150 yuan round-trip).
- The catering price in the scenic area is relatively high, and the restaurants on Guling Street are more affordable, with an average consumption of about 50-80 yuan per person. You can bring your own dry food to supplement energy.
- There are many tourists in peak season (July-August, holidays), so it is recommended to book accommodation in advance. Guling Street has a variety of options from budget hotels to high-end homestays, with prices ranging from 200 to 1,000 yuan per night.
Matters Needing Attention
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Core scenic spots (such as Three-Tiered Spring and Splendid Valley) are monitored, and violators will be fined 50-200 yuan.
- When hiking, you must follow the designated routes and not enter undeveloped areas without authorization. Some sections have no guardrails, so please pay attention to safety.
- When purchasing specialties like Cloud and Mist Tea, choose regular stores and ask for invoices to avoid buying counterfeit products.
- Self-driving vehicles must abide by the traffic regulations of the scenic area. Some sections of Beishan Highway and Nanshan Highway are winding mountain roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h, so it is recommended that new drivers drive cautiously.
- In winter (December-February), some road sections may be icy, and the scenic area will be temporarily closed or require the installation of anti-skid chains.