Langshan Scenic Area is located in Xinning County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, at the eastern section of the Yuechengling Mountains where Hunan and Guangxi meet. The scenic area covers a total area of 108 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 40.38 square kilometers. It is a World Natural Heritage, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national scenic area, and a national geopark. Langshan is renowned for its typical Danxia landform, representing the integration of "grandeur, wonder, peril, beauty, and seclusion" in China's Danxia landforms. It has more than 60 main geological and geomorphic attractions, including core landscapes such as Bajiao Zhai (Octagonal Village), Lajiao Feng (Chili Peak), Tianyi Xiang (Heavenly First Alley), and Fuyi River. With diverse and high-grade Danxia landform types, it is praised by geological experts as the "Soul of Danxia, Treasure of the Nation."
History and Culture
The development history of Langshan can be traced back to the Song Dynasty. According to the Chronicle of Xinning County, monks built an abbey for practice in Bajiao Zhai during the Northern Song Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Langshan gradually became a popular destination for literati and poets. Jiang Shilin, a poet of the Qing Dynasty, once wrote the verse: "Langshan is full of strange rocks, towering into the clouds." In 2001, Langshan was approved as a National Geopark by the Ministry of Land and Resources; in 2002, it was approved as a National Scenic Area by the State Council; in 2010, Langshan, together with Danxia Mountain in Guangdong, Taining in Fujian, etc., succeeded in the joint application for world heritage, becoming a World Natural Heritage site; in August 2016, Langshan Scenic Area was officially approved as a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
Xinning County, where Langshan is located, has a profound historical and cultural heritage. As the intersection of Chu culture and Baiyue culture, it has given birth to rich folk cultures such as Yao folk songs and flower drum opera. The scenic area also retains cultural relics such as ancient villages and temples from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Among them, the Ming and Qing residential complex in Yaoshi Village is well-preserved, with high historical value.
Main Attractions
Bajiao Zhai (Octagonal Village)
Bajiao Zhai is the main peak of Langshan, with an altitude of 818 meters, named for the eight upturned corners of the main peak. At the top of the mountain, there are ruins of Yuntai Temple built in the Northern Song Dynasty, and the existing buildings were reconstructed in recent years. The most famous landscape here is the "Whales Churning in the Sea." In cloudy weather, the Danxia peaks are like thousands of whales frolicking in the cloud waves, which is magnificent. In addition, the "Dragon Head Incense" of Bajiao Zhai is unparalleled in the world. On the 818-meter-high cliff, a about 5-meter-long Danxia stone beam extends, with a small temple built at the top, allowing only one person to pass through, known as the "First Peril of Langshan."
Lajiao Feng (Chili Peak)
Lajiao Feng has an altitude of 180 meters and a vertical height of 128 meters. The stone peak is entirely red, shaped like a huge red chili, and is a typical representative of Langshan's Danxia landform. In 2002, Alain Robert, the French "Spider-Man," climbed Lajiao Feng bare-handed, setting a new rock climbing record. At the foot of the peak, Linjiazhai Ancient Village preserves more than 30 Yao dwellings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which is an excellent place to experience Yao culture.
Tianyi Xiang (Heavenly First Alley)
Tianyi Xiang is 238.8 meters long, with stone walls on both sides 80-120 meters high. The widest part is 0.8 meters, and the narrowest part is only 0.33 meters, allowing only one person to pass sideways. It is praised as the "First Alley in the World" by Chen Guoda, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The alley maintains a constant temperature of 18-22℃ all year round, and rare animals and plants such as bats and stone ears grow on the rock walls on both sides. There are three "skylights" on the top of the alley, and sunlight shines through the skylights, forming the strange landscape of "A Thread of Sky."
Fuyi River
Fuyi River is the mother river of Langshan, with a total length of 238 kilometers and a flow of about 22 kilometers in the Langshan scenic area. The river is crystal clear, and the Danxia peaks on both banks are reflected in the water, forming pictographic landscapes such as the "General Stone," "Woodpecker Stone," and "Warship Stone." Taking a bamboo rafting on it, you can enjoy the artistic conception of "The monkeys on both banks keep crying, and the light boat has passed thousands of mountains," which is the most poetic way to visit Langshan.
Zixia Dong (Purple Cloud Gorge)
Zixia Dong is a typical Danxia canyon, named for the purple air often rising in the cave. Inside the cave, there are cultural landscapes such as Zixia Nunnery and Liu Guangcai's Tomb. Liu Guangcai was a famous general who resisted the French in the late Qing Dynasty, and the stone figures and horses in front of his tomb are exquisitely carved, with high artistic value. Zixia Dong is also a holy land of Buddhism and Taoism. Historically known as the "Purple Cloud Immortal Mountain," it attracts a large number of believers to worship every year.
Local Cuisine
Blood Sauce Duck
Blood Sauce Duck is the most characteristic food in Xinning. Local native ducks are selected, and duck blood and spices are mixed into a sauce during slaughter. The duck meat is stir-fried and then braised with the sauce, with a bright red color, rich sauce flavor, and a spicy and fresh taste. It is recommended to taste it at "Langshan Local Cuisine Restaurant" near the Langshan Scenic Area, with an average consumption of about 50 yuan per person.
Langshan Navel Oranges
Xinning County is the "Hometown of Navel Oranges in China." Langshan navel oranges are famous for their thin skin, rich juice, and sweet and sour taste, rich in vitamin C and carotene, with high nutritional value. The picking season for navel oranges is from November to March of the following year. Tourists can pick them by hand in the orchard, priced at about 8-12 yuan per catty.
Fern Cake Noodles
Fern Cake Noodles are made from starch ground from wild fern roots, cut into strips after steaming, and can be stir-fried or served cold. Fern Cake Noodles have a smooth taste and the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and lowering blood pressure. They are a characteristic snack of Langshan and can be bought at snack stalls around the scenic area, about 10 yuan per portion.
Oil Tea
Oil Tea is a traditional drink of the Yao people in Xinning. Tea leaves, peanuts, sesame, etc., are fried and mashed, boiled with boiling water, and then mixed with fried rice, walnuts, and other ingredients. Drinking oil tea can dispel cold and dampness, refresh the mind, and is a necessary drink for the Yao people to entertain guests. You can experience the authentic oil tea making process in the Yao village near Bajiao Zhai.
Plasma Duck
Plasma Duck is similar to Blood Sauce Duck in practice but pays more attention to the tenderness of the duck meat. Duck blood is added before serving, so that the duck meat is wrapped in a layer of bright red plasma, with a fresh, tender, and spicy taste. It is recommended to taste it at the "Yao King Feast" restaurant in the county seat, with an average consumption of about 60 yuan per person.
Tickets
The ticket price is 136 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "崀山景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round, with opening hours of 7:30-17:30 (summer) and 8:00-17:00 (winter). The drifting time of Fuyi River is 8:30-16:30, and the specific time may be adjusted due to weather conditions.
Visiting Routes
Recommended three-day tour route: On the first morning, visit Bajiao Zhai to enjoy the "Whales Churning in the Sea" and "Dragon Head Incense," and go to Lajiao Feng in the afternoon to climb Lajiao Feng and visit Linjiazhai Ancient Village; on the second morning, visit Tianyi Xiang to experience the magic of the "First Alley in the World," and visit Zixia Dong in the afternoon to visit Zixia Nunnery and Liu Guangcai's Tomb; on the third morning, take a bamboo rafting on Fuyi River to enjoy the Danxia scenery on both banks, and return in the afternoon. The total walking distance is about 15 kilometers, and it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
Transportation
- By air: You can first arrive at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or Changsha Huanghua International Airport. Guilin is about 140 kilometers from Langshan, a 2.5-hour drive; Changsha is about 380 kilometers from Langshan, a 4.5-hour drive. You can rent a car or take a bus at the airport.
- By train: Take the train to Xinning Station (high-speed rail) or Shaoyang Station. Xinning Station has direct buses to the scenic area, about 40 minutes by car; Shaoyang Station is about 150 kilometers from the scenic area, 2.5 hours by car. You can take a long-distance bus or chartered car.
- By bus: There are direct long-distance buses to Langshan from cities such as Changsha, Guilin, and Shaoyang. Changsha West Bus Station has two buses daily (8:30, 14:00), about 4.5 hours by car; Guilin Qintan Bus Station has three buses daily (9:00, 13:30, 16:30), about 2.5 hours by car.
- By self-driving: From Changsha, via Changsha-Shaoshan-Loudi Expressway and Erguang Expressway, exit at Xinning, with a total distance of about 380 kilometers, 4.5 hours by car; from Guilin, via Quannan Expressway and Zixing Expressway, exit at Langshan, with a total distance of about 140 kilometers, 2.5 hours by car. The scenic area has a large parking lot, and the charging standard is 10 yuan per day.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Bajiao Zhai: The main peak of Langshan, enjoying the Danxia peaks and sea of clouds, and experiencing the thrill of "Dragon Head Incense."
- Tianyi Xiang: The "First Alley in the World," feeling the magic of Danxia landforms, with a cool and pleasant alley.
- Fuyi River Rafting: Taking a bamboo raft to enjoy the pictographic Danxia landscapes on both banks and experiencing poetic landscapes.
Visiting Tips
- Spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November) are the best seasons to visit Langshan. Rhododendrons bloom in spring, and Danxia is more colorful in autumn.
- It is recommended to visit Bajiao Zhai in the morning to easily see the sea of clouds. Prepare a coat as it is windy at the top of the mountain.
- The inside of Tianyi Xiang is slippery. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes. The alley is narrow and requires queuing. It is recommended to visit during off-peak hours.
- When rafting on Fuyi River, you can carry a camera to take photos of the scenery on both banks, but pay attention to waterproofing.
- The catering price in the scenic area is high. It is recommended to dine in the county seat or farmhouses around the scenic area for better cost performance.
Notes
- Most of the scenic area is mountain roads with steep steps. It is recommended to travel in groups and pay attention to safety, especially in dangerous areas such as "Dragon Head Incense" in Bajiao Zhai.
- Take good care of the environment in the scenic area, do not litter, and do not damage vegetation and geological landscapes.
- When taking a bamboo rafting, wear a life jacket, follow the raftman's instructions, and do not stand or play in the water at will.
- There are many tourists in the scenic area during holidays. It is recommended to book tickets and accommodation in advance to avoid delaying the schedule.
- Some attractions such as Bajiao Zhai and Tianyi Xiang need to be climbed. It is recommended to carry drinking water and snacks to replenish energy.