Feitian Mountain Scenic Area is located in Qiaokou Town, Suixian District, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, about 25 kilometers away from Chenzhou Urban Area, with a total area of 110 square kilometers. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a national geopark. The scenic area features Danxia landforms as its core, integrating mountains, waters, forests, caves, and Buddhist culture, known as the "Wonderland of Danxia in Nanling". The red rocks and green waters, red cliffs and canyons, and strange caves in the scenic area form interesting contrasts. The average altitude is 200-300 meters, and the highest altitude is 480 meters (Feitian Mountain Main Peak). There is currently 1 tourist service center and 2 cruise terminals, which can accommodate 2,000 visitors at the same time. It has 9 kilometers of Danxia cliffs, 108 natural grottoes, 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, with unique red rock landscapes formed by long-term weathering, erosion, and water erosion. The scenic area retains Buddhist grotto statues from the Tang and Song dynasties. Among them, Shoufo Temple was built in the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,300 years. It was once the Buddhist center of southern Hunan. The existing temple was rebuilt on the original site in 2007. The Shoufo (Longevity Buddha) enshrined in the temple is modeled after the Tang Dynasty monk Wuliang Shoufo (Quanzhen Zen Master). Grand Dharma assemblies are held on the 19th day of the second, sixth, and ninth lunar months each year. In addition, this place was the base of peasant rebels at the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. Existing relics such as the "Thousand-Year Ancient Road" and "General Pointing Platform" witness the ancient military defense system.
Main Attractions
Feitian Mountain Main Peak
At an altitude of 480 meters, it is the highest point of the scenic area. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the entire Danxia peaks. The mountain top has a platform of about 500 square meters, with existing ancient garrison ruins. The remaining stone city wall is about 300 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 2-3 meters high.
Natural Bridge
38 meters long, 25 meters wide, and 30 meters high, it is the largest natural stone arch bridge in Hunan Province. The bridge body is composed of red sandstone, and the bridge hole is crescent-shaped, capable of accommodating a hundred people passing through at the same time. A stream flows under the bridge, forming the wonder of "bridge born with flowing water reflecting the bridge".
Shoufo Temple
Covering an area of about 20 mu, with a construction area of 5,000 square meters, it consists of the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Shoufo Hall, etc. The temple preserves 3 Tang Dynasty stone carvings of Buddha statues. Among them, the Wuliang Shoufo bronze statue enshrined in the Shoufo Hall is 9.9 meters high and weighs 30 tons, being the largest bronze Buddha statue in southern Hunan.
Danxia Gallery
About 2 kilometers of red cliff Danxia, various patterns naturally form on the rock walls, such as "Turtle Exploring the Sea", "Flying Apsaras Mural", "Thousand-Year Old Castle", etc. According to expert verification, these are formed by the combined effect of paleontological fossil remains and weathering patterns.
Heitan Grotto
50 meters high, 100 meters wide, and 30 meters deep, it is the largest natural grotto in southern China. The cave was once an ancient Buddhist practice site, with more than 20 existing Tang Dynasty cliff inscriptions. Among them, the "Wuliang Shoufo" inscription is 8 meters high and 5 meters wide, being the largest single stone inscription in southern Hunan.
Cuijiang Cruise
The 12-kilometer-long Cuijiang River runs through the core Danxia landscape of the scenic area. The one-way cruise takes 40 minutes, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery of "red cliffs on both sides sandwiching green water". The cruise terminal operates daily from 8:30 to 17:00, with a departure every 30 minutes.
Delicacies
Qifengdu Fish Noodles
A characteristic snack in Chenzhou, fresh fish from the Cuijiang River is used to make milky white fish soup, paired with handmade rice noodles. The fish is tender, and the soup is rich. It is sold at restaurants around the scenic area for 15-20 yuan per bowl, and can be seasoned with pickled cowpeas and chopped chili.
Linwu Duck
One of the eight famous ducks in China, with a breeding history of over 2,000 years, the duck meat is firm and tender. The recommended "spiced duck" is salty, fragrant, and slightly spicy. The vacuum-packed version is sold for 50-80 yuan per piece and can be purchased at the scenic area's tourist center.
Dongjiang Grilled Fish
Wild small fish from Dongjiang are selected, marinated, and grilled over charcoal, with a crispy exterior and tender interior. Sprinkled with cumin and chili powder, the per capita consumption is 30-40 yuan, mainly distributed at stalls around the cruise terminal.
Suxian Bayberry Dried
A local specialty, made from ripe bayberries in June-July through sun-drying and sugar curing, sweet and sour. Each 100-gram bag is sold for 15-20 yuan and is available at the scenic area's specialty stores.
Yao-style Stuffed Tofu
A traditional food of the Yao people, tofu is hollowed out and filled with meat filling, steamed, and paired with a secret sauce, soft and tender in taste. The per capita consumption at restaurants in the scenic area is 25-35 yuan, and it is recommended to eat with local rice wine.
Admission Tickets
The ticket price is 80 yuan per person. Subject to the actual price of the scenic area. As of June 3, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
Open throughout the year, daily opening hours are 08:00-17:30 (stopping admission at 16:30). In summer (June-August), closing is extended to 18:00. In winter, if there is rain or snow, some hiking trails may be temporarily closed, subject to the scenic area's announcement.
Tour Routes
One-day tour: After arriving in the morning, take a sightseeing bus to the main peak of Feitian Mountain, hike for about 1 hour, and visit the garrison ruins; then go to the Natural Bridge for 30 minutes of sightseeing and photography; have lunch at the scenic area restaurant to taste Qifengdu fish noodles and Yao-style stuffed tofu; in the afternoon, take a cruise on Cuijiang River (the 13:00 schedule is best), then visit Heitan Grotto and Danxia Gallery, and purchase Linwu Duck and other specialties at the tourist center before departure. Two-day tour: The first day's itinerary is the same as above. On the second day, go to Shoufo Temple in the morning to attend the morning class (7:00-8:00), then hike to explore the "Thousand-Year Ancient Road" (3 kilometers in total, 2 hours), and visit the surrounding Gaoyiling Scenic Area in the afternoon (15 kilometers away from Feitian Mountain, with complementary Danxia landforms).
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Chenzhou Urban Area, drive along Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway → Chenzhou Avenue, with a total distance of about 25 kilometers and a driving time of 40 minutes; from Guangzhou, drive along Leguang Expressway → Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, with a total distance of about 350 kilometers and a driving time of 4 hours. The scenic area parking lot charges 10 yuan per day.
- Bus: Take Bus No. 201 from Chenzhou Urban Area to Qiaokou Town, fare 5 yuan, 1 hour; transfer to a motorized tricycle or van to the scenic area, fare 10 yuan, 15 minutes.
- Tourist Special Line: Dongjiang Lake Tourist Center in Chenzhou Urban Area has tourist special lines directly to Feitian Mountain at 09:00 and 10:30 daily, fare 20 yuan, 50 minutes; return times are 15:00 and 16:30.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Natural Bridge: The largest natural stone arch bridge in Hunan, 30 meters high. It is recommended to take a panoramic view from the bottom of the bridge, with the best light from 10:00-11:00 in the morning.
- Heitan Grotto: The largest natural grotto in southern China, with cave inscriptions dating back 1,300 years. Follow the guide to understand the historical background (the scenic area provides free guided tours once every hour).
- Cuijiang Cruise: Enjoy Danxia blue waters by boat. It is recommended to choose the 11:00 schedule for the best downstream shooting effect. Boat tickets need to be purchased 30 minutes in advance.
Tour Tips
- The best tourist seasons are April-May (azaleas in bloom) and October-November (clear autumn). In summer, pay attention to sun protection (Danxia landforms have no shelter), and in winter, prepare windproof jackets.
- The hiking trail to the main peak of Feitian Mountain is a stone step road. 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 battery car to Banshan Pavilion (fee: 5 yuan).
- During the Shoufo Temple Dharma assembly (such as the 19th day of the second lunar month), there are many visitors. Advance reservation is required for participation, and female visitors need to wear collared clothing to enter the hall.
- The best viewing time for the Danxia Gallery is 14:00-16:00 in the afternoon. The rock wall patterns are clearer when the sun is slanting, and a telescope can be carried to observe details.
Notes
- There is a risk of falling rocks from the top of the Natural Bridge. Do not stay under the bridge for a long time or run, and follow staff instructions.
- Using flash photography is prohibited in Heitan Grotto to avoid damaging the stone inscriptions; the cave is slippery, and waterproof shoes are recommended.
- Life jackets must be worn on the Cuijiang cruise. Standing or climbing over the railing during navigation is prohibited, and children must be accompanied by adults.
- Smoking and picnicking are prohibited in the scenic area. Climbing and carving on Danxia rock walls are forbidden. Special smoking areas and trash cans are set up along the way.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in areas above 300 meters above sea level. It is recommended to travel in groups and do not go to unopened canyon areas alone when hiking.