Yuelu Mountain is located in Yuelu District, Changsha City, Hunan Province. As the last peak among the 72 peaks of Hengshan Mountain (the Southern Sacred Mountain), it stands at an altitude of 300.8 meters with a total area of 35.20 square kilometers. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a national key scenic area. Integrating natural scenery, historical relics and cultural heritage, the scenic area has a forest coverage rate of over 90%. It boasts renowned attractions such as Yuelu Academy, a millennium-old academic institution, Aiwan Pavilion and Lushan Temple. There are 977 plant species belonging to 559 genera and 174 families on the mountain, including 17 species of national key protected wild plants. It serves as a "natural oxygen bar" and a cultural landmark in downtown Changsha.
Historical Culture
Yuelu Mountain has a long history. Since the Western Han Dynasty, it has been a gathering place for literati and scholars. Taoists had practiced asceticism here even before the Western Jin Dynasty. After Buddhism was introduced, Lushan Temple was built, forming a pattern where Buddhism and Taoism coexisted. During the Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi gave lectures here, making Yuelu Academy one of the Four Great Academies of ancient China. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, thinkers such as Wang Fuzhi and Wei Yuan were active here. Since modern times, revolutionary martyrs including Huang Xing and Cai E have been buried here, making Yuelu Mountain an important carrier of Hunan culture and revolutionary history.
A large number of historical relics remain in the scenic area, such as Lushan Temple built in the Tang Dynasty, Yuelu Academy in the Song Dynasty, and Aiwan Pavilion in the Qing Dynasty. These buildings are not only models of ancient Chinese architecture but also witnesses to the development of Hunan culture. In 1983, Yuelu Mountain was designated as a key scenic area of Hunan Province; in 2012, it was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction; and in 2017, it was listed as a national key scenic area.
Major Attractions
Yuelu Academy
Located at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, it is one of the Four Great Academies of ancient China. First founded in the 9th year of the Kaibao period of the Northern Song Dynasty (976 AD), the existing buildings feature the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, covering an area of 21,000 square meters. Its main buildings include the First Gate, the Second Gate, the Lecture Hall and the Imperial Library. The academy preserves 13 stone inscriptions from successive dynasties and more than 10 ancient and famous trees, being the largest and best-preserved complex of academy buildings existing in China.
Aiwan Pavilion
Nestled in Qingfeng Gorge of Yuelu Mountain, the pavilion was first built in the 57th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1792 AD). Originally named Hongye Pavilion (Red Leaf Pavilion), it was renamed later after the line "I stop my carriage, loving the maple woods in the twilight" by Du Mu, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty. With a double-eave structure supported by eight pillars, glazed blue tiles and upturned eaves, the pavilion covers an area of 50 square meters. Surrounded by maple trees, it is one of the best spots for viewing maple leaves in Changsha in autumn.
Lushan Temple
Located halfway up Yuelu Mountain, it is one of the earliest Buddhist temples introduced to Hunan. First constructed in the 4th year of the Taishi reign of the Western Jin Dynasty (268 AD), the existing buildings were reconstructed in 1984, covering an area of about 4,000 square meters. Its main buildings include the Mountain Gate, the Maitreya Hall, the Mahavira Hall and the Guanyin Pavilion. The temple preserves the "Stele of Lushan Temple" written by Li Yong in the Tang Dynasty, which is a rare treasure in the history of Chinese calligraphy.
Huang Xing's Mausoleum
Situated at the foot of Yunlu Peak on Yuelu Mountain, this is the mausoleum of Huang Xing, a key leader of the 1911 Revolution that overthrew China's last feudal dynasty. Covering an area of 1,913 square meters, the mausoleum is accessible via three layers of stone steps. The tomb mound is hemispherical, about 10 meters high. A tombstone stands in front of the mound, inscribed with the characters "Huang Xing's Tomb". Surrounded by pine and cypress trees, it is a key cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.
Yunlu Palace
Perched on the top of Yuelu Mountain, it is a Taoist temple. First built in the 14th year of the Chenghua reign of Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty (1478 AD), the existing buildings were rebuilt in 1973, covering an area of about 5,000 square meters. Its main buildings include the Front Hall, the Middle Hall and the Rear Hall. In front of the palace lies the Feilai Stone (Flying Stone), from which visitors can enjoy a bird's-eye view of downtown Changsha. It is recognized as one of the "Seventy-Two Blessed Lands" in Taoism.
Recommended Travel Route
A recommended one-day tour route: Enter the scenic area from Dongfanghong Square. First, visit Yuelu Academy to learn about the historical origin of Hunan culture. Then walk to Aiwan Pavilion to admire the beautiful maple scenery. Next, head to Lushan Temple to experience Buddhist culture. Afterwards, climb up to Yunlu Palace to get a panoramic view of Changsha. For the descent, you can take a sightseeing bus or cable car. Finally, go to South Lushan Road to taste local specialty snacks. The entire route takes about 5-6 hours with a walking distance of approximately 8 kilometers.
Travel Tips
- Spring (March-May) is the prime time to admire azalea blooms, and autumn (October-November) is the best season for maple leaf viewing. It is advisable to bring a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
- Most paths in the scenic area are mountainous, so comfortable sports shoes are recommended. Take sun protection measures in summer and keep warm in winter.
- Free guided tours are available at Yuelu Academy at 9:00, 10:00, 15:00 and 16:00. It is recommended to join these tours to gain a deeper understanding of the academy's history.
- South Lushan Road is lined with many snack shops, but some have long queues. It is suggested to dine during off-peak hours to avoid long waits.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Please take good care of flowers, plants, trees and cultural relics.
- When taking sightseeing buses or cable cars, please follow the order, obey the staff's arrangements and pay attention to safety.
- Loud noises are not allowed in Yuelu Academy. Do not use flash when taking photos to prevent damage to cultural relics.
- The scenic area is crowded during holidays. Please plan your trip in advance to avoid congestion.
- Some mountain sections are not equipped with street lights. Please be cautious when descending the mountain at night, and it is recommended to travel in groups.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Changsha Metro Line 4 and get off at Hunan University Station. Exit from Exit 2 and walk for about 10 minutes to reach the East Gate of the scenic area.
- Bus: Take buses No. 63, 106, 132, 202, 315, 318, 356, 902, 903 or 908 and get off at Yuelushan North Bus Station. Then walk for about 5 minutes to the North Gate of the scenic area.
- Self-driving: There are parking lots near the scenic area, such as Yuelu Mountain Parking Lot and the Former Site of Xinmin Society Parking Lot. The parking fee is 10 yuan per hour. Parking spaces are in short supply during holidays, so green travel is recommended.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open 24 hours a day. Yuelu Academy is open from 7:30 to 18:00, and the operating hours of sightseeing buses and cable cars are from 8:30 to 17:30.
Ticket Information
The scenic area is open to the public free of charge, but advance reservations are required. Some individual items and services within the scenic area are subject to separate charges.
You can search for the official WeChat official account "岳麓山 橘子洲旅游区" to get the latest updates or make online reservations and purchases.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.
