Wanfo Mountain is located in Taipingyan Village, Linkou Town, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province. It is a national key scenic area and a 4A-level tourist attraction. The total area of the scenic area is 168 square kilometers, consisting of five major scenic areas: Wanfo Mountain, Ziyun Mountain, Qixing Mountain, Shenxian Cave, and Jiangjun Mountain. Featured by Danxia landforms, it has the largest Danxia peak forest landform cluster in China, with a total of 68 peaks of various sizes, including 28 peaks above 500 meters above sea level, and the highest altitude is 635 meters. The scenic area is densely vegetated, with a forest coverage rate of over 95%, and the air has extremely high negative ion content, making it a natural oxygen bar.
History and Culture
Wanfo Mountain has a long historical and cultural heritage. According to research, there have been traces of human activities here since the Neolithic Age. The Shenxian Cave in the scenic area was once a Buddhist holy land, and the existing stone carvings and inscriptions in the cave record the history of Buddhism's spread in the local area. Among them, the grotto statues in Shenxian Cave were excavated in the Song Dynasty, with a total of 108 Buddha statues, which is one of the largest and best-preserved Buddhist grotto statue clusters discovered in Hunan Province.
In addition, Wanfo Mountain is also one of the important birthplaces of Dong culture. The local Dong people have lived and multiplied here, creating a unique Dong culture, such as Dong grand songs, Dong brocade, and Dong flutes. The Dong village buildings in the scenic area have a unique style, and buildings such as wind-rain bridges and drum towers are well preserved, demonstrating the wisdom and creativity of the Dong people.
Main Attractions
Main Peak of Wanfo Mountain
The main peak of Wanfo Mountain is 635 meters above sea level and is the core attraction of the scenic area. The top of the mountain is flat and open, covering an area of about 6,000 square meters, which can accommodate more than ten thousand people. Climbing to the main peak, you can have a panoramic view of the surrounding Danxia peak forests, presenting a spectacular scene of "thousands of Buddhas facing the main peak". The top of the mountain also preserves the ruins of a Ming Dynasty temple and cliff inscriptions, which have high historical and cultural value.
Shenxian Cave
Shenxian Cave is one of the most famous attractions in the Wanfo Mountain scenic area, located on the north side of the main peak of Wanfo Mountain. There are more than 10 karst caves of different sizes in the cave, with the largest karst cave covering an area of about 2,000 square meters. The karst landform landscapes such as stalactites, stalagmites, and stone pillars in the cave present various fascinating shapes, just like a fairyland. The cave also preserves 108 Buddhist grotto statues from the Song Dynasty, which are exquisitely carved and have different expressions, serving as important physical materials for studying Buddhist culture in the Song Dynasty.
Qixing Mountain
Qixing Mountain is named because seven peaks are arranged like the Big Dipper, with an altitude of 500-600 meters. The mountain is densely vegetated, with many unique pines and strange rocks, and has the reputation of "Little Huangshan". The Danxia landform of Qixing Mountain is unique, with steep peaks and misty mountains, making it a good place for hiking adventures and photography.
Jiangjun Mountain
Jiangjun Mountain is 580 meters above sea level and is named because the peak resembles a general in armor. There are many viewing platforms on the mountain, from which you can overlook the Danxia peak forest landscape of the entire Wanfo Mountain scenic area. There are also many ancient hanging coffin ruins on the Danxia rock wall of Jiangjun Mountain, which are important places for studying ancient funeral culture.
Ziyun Mountain
Ziyun Mountain is 550 meters above sea level and is named because purple clouds often linger on the mountain. There is Ziyun Temple on the mountain, which was built in the Tang Dynasty and is a famous local Buddhist temple. The combination of the Danxia landform and Buddhist culture in Ziyun Mountain forms a unique landscape feature.
Delicacies
Tongdao Dong-style Pickled Meat
Tongdao Dong-style pickled meat is a local specialty. Fresh pork is selected, added with seasonings such as salt, Chinese prickly ash, and chili, and pickled in a jar. The pickled meat has a bright red color and a delicious taste, with a strong Dong flavor.
Tongdao Dong-style Oil Tea
Tongdao Dong-style oil tea is an indispensable drink in the daily life of the Dong people, made by frying raw materials such as tea leaves, glutinous rice, peanuts, and sesame. It has a fragrant smell and a mellow taste, with the effects of refreshing the mind and dispelling cold and dampness.
Tongdao Dong-style Sour Fish
Tongdao Dong-style sour fish is a traditional food of the Dong people. Fresh carp is selected, added with glutinous rice flour, chili, salt, and other seasonings, and pickled in a jar. The sour fish is sour and delicious, rich in nutrition, and a good product for entertaining guests.
Surrounding Delicacies
Around the scenic area, you can also taste other special foods of Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, such as Tongdao Hei Laohu Wine, Tongdao Konjac Tofu, and Tongdao Blood Glutinous Rice Duck. These foods all have a strong local flavor and are worth trying.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket price is 68 yuan per person. As of June 7, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
It is open throughout the year from 8:00 to 17:30. The opening hours of the Shenxian Cave attraction in the scenic area are from 8:30 to 17:00, and the opening hours of the main peak of Wanfo Mountain, Qixing Mountain, Jiangjun Mountain, Ziyun Mountain, and other attractions are the same as those of the main entrance of the scenic area.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, visitors can first take the scenic area sightseeing bus to the main peak of Wanfo Mountain, climb the main peak, and enjoy the spectacular scene of "thousands of Buddhas facing the main peak". After going down the mountain, go to the Shenxian Cave attraction to visit the Buddhist grotto statues and karst landform landscapes in the cave. Then take the sightseeing bus to Qixing Mountain for hiking adventures and enjoy the unique pines, strange rocks, and Danxia landforms. In the afternoon, go to Jiangjun Mountain to visit the ancient hanging coffin ruins and Danxia rock wall landscapes. Finally, go to Ziyun Mountain to visit Ziyun Temple and feel the combination of Buddhist culture and Danxia landforms. The entire tour route is recommended to be arranged for one day.
Transportation
- Airplane: Take a flight to Huaihua Zhijiang Airport, then take an airport bus to Huaihua City, transfer to a long-distance bus to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, and finally take a taxi or scenic area shuttle bus to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area.
- Train: Take a train to Huaihua Station, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, and finally take a taxi or scenic area shuttle bus to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area.
- Self-driving: Starting from Huaihua City, drive along the Baomao Expressway, exit at Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, then drive along National Highway 209 to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area. The whole journey is about 180 kilometers, and the driving time is about 2.5 hours.
- Scenic Area Shuttle Bus: The county seat of Tongdao Dong Autonomous County has shuttle buses to and from Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area every day. The departure times are 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00, and the fare is 15 yuan per person.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Main Peak of Wanfo Mountain: The core attraction of the scenic area, 635 meters above sea level, with a flat and open mountain top, where you can enjoy the spectacular scene of "thousands of Buddhas facing the main peak", and preserve the ruins of a Ming Dynasty temple and cliff inscriptions.
- Shenxian Cave: Preserves 108 Buddhist grotto statues from the Song Dynasty, with various karst landform landscapes in the cave, which are important physical materials for studying Buddhist culture in the Song Dynasty.
- Qixing Mountain: Seven peaks are arranged like the Big Dipper, with dense vegetation and many unique pines and strange rocks, having the reputation of "Little Huangshan", and being a good place for hiking adventures and photography.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and sportswear for easy climbing and hiking.
- Carry enough drinking water and snacks, as there are few stores in the scenic area and prices are high.
- When visiting the scenic area in summer, pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention, and carry items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hats.
- When visiting the scenic area in winter, pay attention to keeping warm. The temperature on the mountain is low, so you can carry items such as down jackets, scarves, and gloves.
- Respect local customs and religious beliefs, keep quiet when entering temples, and do not make loud noises.
Notes
- The mountain roads in the scenic area are steep. Pay attention to safety when climbing and do not climb undeveloped areas.
- The ground in Shenxian Cave is slippery. Pay attention to anti-slip to avoid falling.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Please love the environment and keep the scenic area clean.
- When taking the scenic area sightseeing bus, obey the boarding order and do not crowd or scramble for seats.
- In case of bad weather or unexpected situations, follow the arrangements of the scenic area staff and evacuate dangerous areas in a timely manner.