Feitian Mountain Scenic Area is located in Qiaokou Town, Suxian District, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It is about 25 kilometers away from the urban area of Chenzhou, covering a total area of 110 square kilometers. As a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a national geopark, the scenic area features Danxia landform as its core, integrating mountains, water, forests, caves and Buddhist culture, and is known as the "Danxia Wonderland of Nanling Mountains". Inside the scenic area, red rocks and green waters, red cliffs and fantastic canyons and caves complement each other. The average altitude ranges from 200 to 300 meters, with the highest point (the main peak of Feitian Mountain) reaching 480 meters. Currently, there is 1 tourist service center and 2 cruise ship piers, which can accommodate 2,000 visitors at the same time. The scenic area boasts 9 kilometers of Danxia cliffs, 108 natural stone caves and a 400-mu ecological lake.
History and Culture
The Danxia landform of Feitian Mountain was formed in the Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago. Through long-term weathering, erosion and water erosion, it has developed into the unique red rock landscape seen today. The scenic area preserves Buddhist grotto statues from the Tang and Song dynasties. Among them, the "Shoufo Temple" was first built in the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,300 years. It was once the Buddhist center in southern Hunan. The existing temple was rebuilt on the original site in 2007. The prototype of the Shoufo (Longevity Buddha) enshrined in the temple is the eminent monk Wuliang Shoufo (Zen Master Quanzhen) of the Tang Dynasty. Grand Buddhist ceremonies are held every year on the 19th day of the 2nd, 6th and 9th lunar months. In addition, this place was a base for peasant rebels in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Relics such as the "Millennium Ancient Road" and the "Commanding Platform" still exist, witnessing the ancient military defense system.
Main Attractions
Main Peak of Feitian Mountain
With an altitude of 480 meters, it is the highest point of the scenic area. Climbing to the top allows a bird's-eye view of all the Danxia peaks. There is a platform of about 500 square meters on the top of the mountain, where the ruins of an ancient garrison are preserved. The remaining part of the stone city wall is about 300 meters long, 1.5 meters wide and 2 to 3 meters high.
Natural Stone Bridge
It is 38 meters long, 25 meters wide and 30 meters high, making it the largest natural stone arch bridge in Hunan Province. The bridge body is made of red sandstone, with a half-moon-shaped arch that can accommodate 100 people passing through at the same time. A stream flows under the bridge, creating the spectacular scene of "the bridge standing over the flowing water and the water reflecting the bridge".
Shoufo Temple
Covering an area of about 20 mu (1.33 hectares) with a construction area of 5,000 square meters, the temple consists of the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Main Buddha Hall and Shoufo Hall. It preserves 3 stone-carved Buddha statues from the Tang Dynasty. Among them, the bronze statue of Wuliang Shoufo enshrined in the Shoufo Hall is 9.9 meters high and weighs 30 tons, making it the largest bronze Buddha statue in southern Hunan.
Danxia Gallery
It is a 2-kilometer-long stretch of red cliffs. Various natural patterns have formed on the cliff faces, such as "Turtle Exploring the Sea", "Flying Apsaras Mural" and "Millennium Ancient Castle". Experts have verified that these patterns are formed by the combined effect of ancient fossil relics and weathering lines.
Heitan (Black Cave)
In Chenzhou, "Heitan" refers to Danxia caves formed by natural collapse. This cave is 120 meters wide, 50 meters deep and 35 meters high, with a total area of 5,000 square meters. It is known as the "No.1 Danxia Cave". It is said that bandits once stationed here, so it is also called "Bandit Fortress" or "Bandit Den".
Cuijiang River Cruise
The Cuijiang River is 12 kilometers long, running through the core Danxia landscape of the scenic area. A one-way cruise takes 40 minutes, offering a view of the scenery of "red cliffs flanking the green river on both sides". The cruise terminal operates from 8:30 to 17:00 every day, with departures every 30 minutes.
Tour Routes
One-day Tour: In the morning, arrive and take a sightseeing bus to the Main Peak of Feitian Mountain. Hike for about 1 hour to the top and visit the ancient garrison ruins. Then go to the Natural Stone Bridge and spend 30 minutes taking photos and sightseeing. At noon, taste Qifengdu Fish Noodles and Yao-style Stuffed Tofu in the scenic area restaurant. In the afternoon, take a cruise on the Cuijiang River (the 13:00 departure is the best choice), then visit Heitan and Danxia Gallery. Before returning, buy local specialties such as Linwu Duck at the tourist service center.
Two-day Tour: Follow the one-day tour route on the first day. On the second day morning, go to Shoufo Temple to attend the morning scripture recitation (7:00-8:00). Then hike to explore the "Millennium Ancient Road" (3 kilometers long, taking 2 hours). In the afternoon, visit the nearby Gaoyiling Scenic Area (15 kilometers away from Feitian Mountain, with complementary Danxia landform).
Travel Tips
- The best travel seasons are April-May (when azaleas are in bloom) and October-November (when the weather is clear and crisp). In summer, sun protection is essential (as there is no shelter in the Danxia landform area). In winter, prepare a windproof jacket.
- The hiking trail to the Main Peak of Feitian Mountain is made of stone steps. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry 1 liter of drinking water. The elderly and children can take the scenic area's electric shuttle bus to the Mid-mountain Pavilion (cost: 5 yuan).
- During the Buddhist ceremonies at Shoufo Temple (e.g., the 19th day of the 2nd lunar month), there are many visitors. Advance reservation is required if you want to attend. Female visitors must wear clothes with collars to enter the temple halls.
- The best time to visit Danxia Gallery is from 14:00 to 16:00 in the afternoon. When the sun shines at an angle, the patterns on the cliff faces are clearer. You can bring a pair of binoculars to observe the details.
Notes
- There is a risk of falling rocks from the top of the Natural Stone Bridge's arch. Staying or running under the arch for a long time is prohibited. Follow the instructions of the staff.
- Using flash photography is prohibited in the Heitan Grottoes to avoid damaging the stone carvings. The cave is wet, so it is recommended to wear waterproof shoes.
- Life jackets must be worn during the Cuijiang River cruise. Standing or climbing over the handrails during the cruise is prohibited. Children must be accompanied by adults.
- Smoking and picnic are prohibited in the scenic area. Climbing and carving on the Danxia cliffs are also prohibited. Special smoking areas and trash cans are set up along the routes.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in areas above 300 meters above sea level. It is recommended to travel in groups. Do not go to unopened canyon areas alone during hiking.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Depart from the urban area of Chenzhou, drive along Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway → Chenzhou Avenue. The whole journey is about 25 kilometers, taking 40 minutes. Depart from Guangzhou, drive along Lechang-Guangzhou Expressway → Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway. The whole journey is about 350 kilometers, taking 4 hours. The parking fee at the scenic area is 10 yuan per day.
- Bus: Take Bus No. 201 from the urban area of Chenzhou to Qiaokou Town. The fare is 5 yuan, and the journey takes 1 hour. Then transfer to a motorcycle taxi or minivan to the scenic area. The cost is 10 yuan, and the journey takes 15 minutes.
- Tourist Shuttle Bus: There are direct tourist shuttle buses from the Dongjiang Lake Tourist Service Center in the urban area of Chenzhou to Feitian Mountain at 09:00 and 10:30 every day. The fare is 20 yuan, and the journey takes 50 minutes. The return times are 15:00 and 16:30.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round. The daily opening hours are 08:00-17:30 (admission stops at 16:30). In summer (June-August), the closing time is extended to 18:00. In winter, some hiking trails may be temporarily closed in case of rain or snow. Please refer to the scenic area's announcement for the latest information.
Tickets
The ticket price is 55 yuan per person (including the sightseeing bus fare). You can search for the official WeChat public account "飞天山翠江旅游区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.