Huaguoshan - Jiangsu Tourist Attraction

Huaguoshan Scenic Area is located in Haizhou District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, situated at the northern foot of the Yuntai Mountain Range. It is famous at home and abroad for the legend of "the hometown of Sun Wukong" in the classic masterpiece Journey to the West. The total area of the scenic area is 75.39 square kilometers, and the main peak, Yunu Peak, stands at an altitude of 624.4 meters, making it the highest peak in Jiangsu Province. Huaguoshan features "the integration of mountains and seas, the culture of the Great Sage, and ancient trees and famous woods", integrating natural landscapes with mythological legends. It is a comprehensive scenic area that combines sightseeing, cultural experience, and leisure vacation. The existing ancient building complex in the area covers an area of about 12,000 square meters, including historical buildings such as Sanyuan Palace and Yuhuang Pavilion. The annual number of visitors has remained stable at over 3 million, with the summer season (June-August) and the National Day holiday being peak periods, with a maximum of 50,000 visitors per day.

Historical Culture

The historical culture of Huaguoshan can be traced back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Bronze vessels, jade artifacts, and other cultural relics unearthed in the scenic area indicate that ancestors lived here more than 3,000 years ago.

As the core birthplace of Journey to the West culture, the mythological legends of Huaguoshan have far-reaching influence. Since the Tang Dynasty, stories such as "the birth of the stone monkey" and "the havoc in Heaven" have gradually spread. In the Ming Dynasty, Wu Chengen depicted Huaguoshan as the birthplace and base of Sun Wukong in Journey to the West, making the scenic area an important symbol of Chinese mythological culture. Existing landscapes such as the "Wayi Stone" (about 10 meters high, shaped like a monkey's head) and the "Water Curtain Cave" are highly consistent with the descriptions in the novel, becoming must-visit places for tourists to explore the traces of myths.

Religious culture also has a profound accumulation in Huaguoshan. The Sanyuan Palace, founded in the Eastern Han Dynasty, is one of the oldest Taoist sacred places in Jiangsu Province. It has undergone many renovations during the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and the existing buildings were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, covering an area of about 8,000 square meters. It enshrines gods such as the Three Yuan Emperors and Sun Wukong, combining Taoist and folk belief characteristics. The "Shangyuan Temple Fair" on the 15th day of the first lunar month and the "Peach Festival" on the 3rd day of the third lunar month attract tens of thousands of believers and tourists every year, forming a unique folk cultural landscape. In addition, the Ashoka Pagoda in the scenic area (built in the Song Dynasty, 40.58 meters high) is the oldest existing Buddhist pagoda in northern Jiangsu, witnessing the spread and development of Buddhism in the region.

Main Attractions

Water Curtain Cave

The Water Curtain Cave is the most famous attraction in Huaguoshan, located in the middle of the scenic area. A waterfall hangs above the cave entrance, about 10 meters wide with a drop of 5 meters, and the water flows like a curtain, which is consistent with the description in Journey to the West: "Huaguoshan is a blessed place, and the Water Curtain Cave is a heavenly abode". The cave is about 30 meters deep and covers an area of about 150 square meters, with natural landscapes such as stone benches and stone tables. The inscriptions "Water Curtain Cave" on the cave wall were left in the Ming Dynasty. Tourists can enter the cave through the waterfall to experience the habitat of the "Monkey King". The platform at the cave entrance is an excellent place to watch the waterfall and take photos. In summer, the waterfall has abundant water, and the scenery is particularly spectacular.

Yunu Peak

Yunu Peak is the main peak of Huaguoshan, with an altitude of 624.4 meters, making it the highest point in Jiangsu Province. A viewing platform and Yunu Pavilion are built on the peak. Standing on the platform, you can overlook the Yellow Sea, Lianyungang Port, and the surrounding mountains with a broad view. You can watch the sunrise over the sea in the early morning, with the glow reflecting on the sea surface, presenting a magnificent scene. On clear days, you can also see the wonder of "mirage" (mostly appearing in spring and autumn). A stone tablet "The Highest Point in Jiangsu Province" stands on the peak. Around it, there are thousand-year-old pine trees (about 1,000 years old, with a chest diameter of 1.2 meters) and rare plants, making it a must-visit place for mountaineering enthusiasts. It takes about 2.5 hours to walk from the scenic area's gate to the peak, or you can take the scenic area's sightseeing bus (fare 25 yuan per person) to the middle of the mountain and then walk for 1 hour.

Sanyuan Palace

Sanyuan Palace is located in the hinterland of Huaguoshan, the largest ancient building complex in the scenic area. It was founded in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the existing buildings are in the Qing Dynasty style, covering an area of 8,000 square meters, consisting of the Sanyuan Hall, Yuhuang Pavilion, Scripture Repository, etc. The Sanyuan Hall enshrines the three emperors of Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, and Xiayuan, and the side halls on both sides enshrine gods such as Sun Wukong (wearing imperial robes, reflecting the folk respect for him) and Guan Yu. Ancient cypresses tower to the sky in the palace, among which a "thousand-year-old ginkgo" is about 1,100 years old, 25 meters high, with a chest diameter of 3.5 meters. In autumn, the golden leaves contrast with the red walls, presenting a pleasant scene. On the 15th day of the first lunar month (Shangyuan Festival) every year, a prayer ceremony is held in the palace, with a strong incense atmosphere.

Wayi Stone

Wayi Stone is located on the west side of the Water Curtain Cave, a natural boulder about 10 meters high and 30 meters in circumference, with a slightly round top and a slightly pointed bottom, shaped like a monkey's head, echoing the description of "the birth of the stone monkey" in Journey to the West. The characters "Wayi Stone" are carved on the stone, which is said to be transformed from the five-colored stone left by Nuwa when she mended the sky. There is a crack beside the boulder, about 0.5 meters wide, and it is said that Sun Wukong burst out of this stone. There are viewing platforms and Journey to the West story reliefs around it, making it one of the core attractions for interpreting the mythological culture of Huaguoshan.

Ashoka Pagoda

Ashoka Pagoda is located at the northern foot of Huaguoshan, built in the first year of Tiansheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1023). It is a pavilion-style brick pagoda, 40.58 meters high, with 9 floors. The pagoda body is octagonal, with arched doors, fake windows, and reliefs on each floor, including patterns of Buddha statues and flowers, with exquisite carvings. There was originally a wooden ladder inside the pagoda for climbing, but it has been closed for cultural relic protection, but the appearance is well-preserved. It is one of the oldest existing Buddhist pagodas in Jiangsu Province and an important object for studying Song Dynasty architecture and Buddhist art. There is a stele corridor beside the pagoda, displaying inscriptions by literati of past dynasties.

Huaguoshan Gate

The Huaguoshan Gate is the entrance symbol of the scenic area, an antique archway-style building, 12 meters high and 27 meters wide, supported by 108 stone pillars (symbolizing the 108 tribulations in Journey to the West). The plaque "Huaguoshan" above the gate was inscribed by a contemporary calligrapher, and the reliefs on both sides depict classic scenes in Journey to the West (such as the birth of the stone monkey and the havoc in Heaven). A bronze statue of "Sun Wukong" (5 meters high, holding a golden hoop staff) stands in the square in front of the gate, a landmark for tourists to take photos. There are visitor centers, ticket offices, and parking lots around the square with complete facilities.

Cuisine

Huaguoshan Air-Dried Goose

Huaguoshan Air-Dried Goose is a specialty food of Lianyungang. It is made of locally raised white geese through processes such as pickling, air-drying, and smoking. The meat is firm, salty and fragrant, with the flavors of cured meat and smoked meat. It can be tasted in the "Great Sage Restaurant" in the scenic area and farmhouses at the foot of the mountain. Vacuum-packed air-dried goose can be bought as a specialty, with a 500-gram package priced at about 45 yuan. It is recommended to eat it wrapped in pancakes or sliced as a cold dish, and it is a common dish in local banquets.

Cold Noodles

Lianyungang Cold Noodles are made of pea flour, which can be seen everywhere in the snack stalls in Huaguoshan Scenic Area. They are smooth in taste, served with seasonings such as mashed garlic, vinegar, chili, and coriander, refreshing and appetizing. The cold noodles in the scenic area are mostly made on-site, 5 yuan per bowl, and are refreshing to eat in summer. Some stalls also offer "Stir-Fried Cold Noodles", stir-fried with bean sprouts and leeks, with a unique flavor, priced at 8 yuan per serving.

Huaguoshan Cloud and Mist Tea

Huaguoshan Cloud and Mist Tea is one of the famous teas in China. It gets its name because it grows in mountainous areas above 500 meters above sea level, surrounded by clouds and mist all year round. It has the characteristics of thick leaves, high and fresh aroma, and mellow taste. The "Cloud and Mist Tea House" in the scenic area offers freshly brewed tea, and there are tea gift boxes for sale, with 250 grams of premium cloud and mist tea priced at about 200 yuan. Tourists can visit the tea garden (located south of Yunu Peak, covering an area of about 200 mu) to learn about the processes of tea picking and tea making, and experience tea culture.

Deep-Fried Cicada Larvae

Deep-Fried Cicada Larvae are a local specialty snack, common in the night markets around Huaguoshan Scenic Area. Cicada larvae are soaked in salt water and then deep-fried, with a crispy outer skin and high protein content. They are sold by the string, 3 yuan per string (3-4 larvae per string), with a taste similar to shrimp chips. They are a local flavor snack suitable for tourists who are brave enough to try new foods.

Tickets

The ticket price is 90 yuan per person.

You can search for the official WeChat public account "连云港花果山风景区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.

Opening Hours

Open all year round, with opening hours adjusted according to the season:

Peak season (March 1 - November 30): 7:00 - 18:00 (admission stops at 17:00)
Off-season (December 1 - February 28 of the following year): 8:00 - 17:00 (admission stops at 16:00)

Among them, attractions such as Sanyuan Palace and Ashoka Pagoda have the same opening hours as the scenic area; the Water Curtain Cave may be temporarily closed in January each year due to waterfall maintenance (please refer to the scenic area announcement for details); sightseeing buses and cable cars will suspend operation in severe weather (such as heavy rain, strong winds, and freezing conditions).

Tour Route

Recommended one-day tour route: Arrive at the scenic area gate at 7:30 am, take photos as a souvenir, then take the sightseeing bus to the "Jiulong Bridge" station (about 20 minutes); walk to the Water Curtain Cave (15 minutes), pass through the waterfall and visit the cave (30 minutes); walk along the mountain road to the Wayi Stone (10 minutes) to learn about the legend of the stone monkey's birth; go to the Sanyuan Palace at 10:00 am (20 minutes), visit the ancient building complex and the thousand-year-old ginkgo (1 hour), and you can have lunch here (vegetarian noodles 15 yuan per bowl).

Start from Sanyuan Palace at 13:00 pm, walk to Ashoka Pagoda (40 minutes), admire the ancient Buddhist pagoda and steles (40 minutes); take the cable car to Yunu Peak at 14:30 pm (10 minutes), climb to the viewing platform at the top to overlook the sea view and mountains (1 hour); walk down the mountain to the "Great Sage Buddha" statue at 16:00 pm (30 minutes) to visit and take photos; take the sightseeing bus back to the gate at 16:40 pm, and you can buy souvenirs such as golden hoop staff toys and cloud and mist tea in the souvenir shop on the way; leave the scenic area at 17:30 pm.

If you have enough time, you can add a visit to the "Seventy-Two Caves" (located between the Water Curtain Cave and Sanyuan Palace, requiring an additional 1 hour) to explore various natural stone caves and feel the mood of "blessed caves and heavenly abodes".

Transportation

Bus: Take bus B11 or Tourist Line 1 in Lianyungang to directly reach Huaguoshan Scenic Area, with a fare of 2 yuan. Bus B11 departs from Lianyungang Railway Station, once every 15 minutes, with a journey of about 40 minutes; Tourist Line 1 departs from Lianyungang East Station, once every 30 minutes, with a journey of 1 hour.
Self-driving: Starting from downtown Lianyungang, drive southeast along Huaguoshan Avenue for about 10 kilometers to reach the scenic area, with a journey of 20 minutes; the parking fee standard at the scenic area parking lot is 15 yuan per day for small cars and 30 yuan per day for large cars. Parking spaces are tight on holidays, so it is recommended to arrive early.
Taxi: It is about 15 kilometers from Lianyungang Railway Station to the scenic area by taxi, costing 30 yuan; it is about 30 kilometers from Lianyungang East Station by taxi, costing 60 yuan.
Train: Take the high-speed rail to Lianyungang Station or Lianyungang East Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi (as mentioned above); Lianyungang Station is closer to the scenic area, so it is recommended to choose it first.

Must-Visit Attractions

Water Curtain Cave: The core landscape of Journey to the West, combining a waterfall and a cave, allowing you to experience the fun of passing through the waterfall. It is recommended to visit for 1 hour.
Yunu Peak: The highest peak in Jiangsu Province, where you can climb high and look far, watch the sunrise and sea view. It is recommended to visit for 1.5 hours (including climbing time).
Sanyuan Palace: A thousand-year-old ancient temple, integrating Taoism and Journey to the West culture, with the ancient ginkgo being extremely beautiful in autumn. It is recommended to visit for 1 hour.
Wayi Stone: The carrier of the legend of "the birth of the stone monkey", closely related to mythological stories. It is recommended to visit for 30 minutes.

Tour Suggestions

The best visiting seasons are April-May (when mountain flowers are in full bloom) and September-October (when the weather is clear and crisp, and it is the cloud mist tea picking season). Summer is hot and rainy, so it is necessary to bring rain gear and sun protection products; winter is cold, and some mountain roads may be icy, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
The scenic area is relatively large, and it takes about 6-7 hours to walk the entire course. Visitors with limited physical strength can reasonably combine sightseeing buses and cable cars to save energy and visit core attractions.
Visitors with children can rent strollers at the mountain gate (50 yuan/day, with a deposit of 300 yuan). Some sections are steep, so please pay attention to safety.
It is recommended to buy souvenirs at the shops at the exit of the scenic area, where prices are relatively transparent. Golden hoop staff toys (plastic material) are 10-30 yuan each, suitable as gifts for children.
If you want to watch the sunrise, you need to enter the scenic area before 5:30 a.m. (the peak season opens at 5:30 a.m.). You can stay at the "Huaguoshan Hotel" at the foot of the mountain, which is only a 10-minute walk from the mountain gate, with a standard room priced at about 300 yuan/night.

Matters Needing Attention

The mountain roads in the scenic area are steep, and some sections have no guardrails. When visiting, please pay attention to your footing, do not get close to the edge of cliffs; the roads are slippery on rainy days, so it is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes.
Respect the regulations of religious sites. When entering Sanyuan Palace, you need to be neatly dressed, not make noise, not take photos (photography is prohibited in the hall), and not touch the statues and offerings.
There are many mosquitoes in summer, so you need to bring mosquito repellent; the temperature on the mountain is 5-8℃ lower than that at the foot of the mountain, and there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so it is recommended to bring a thin coat.
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. There are environmental protection trash cans, and violators will be fined 50-200 yuan.
There are many tourists in peak seasons (especially holidays). It is recommended to arrive at the scenic area before 7:30 a.m. to avoid the peak hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and reduce waiting time.