Mount Mingyue Scenic Area is located in Yuanzhou District, Yichun City, Jiangxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national scenic spot, a national forest park, a national geopark, a national natural heritage, and also known as the Hometown of Hot Springs in China. The scenic area features "spectacular mountains, selenium-rich springs, authentic Buddhism, and rural fun" as its core characteristics, integrating ecological sightseeing, leisure vacation, popular science education, and religious culture. The total area of the scenic area is approximately 389 square kilometers, with the core scenic area covering 136 square kilometers. It consists of 12 peaks with an altitude of over 1,000 meters, and the main peak, Taiping Mountain, stands at 1,735.6 meters. It gets its name because the entire mountain range resembles a half-moon. The forest coverage rate in the area reaches 92%, with rare plants such as taxus chinensis and sinomanglietia glauca, as well as national protected animals like the yellow-bellied tragopan and clouded leopard. Additionally, it is home to the world's rare selenium-rich hot springs, making it a tourist resort where nature and humanity are perfectly integrated.
History and Culture
The history and culture of Mount Mingyue can be traced back to the Pre-Qin period. It is said to be the birthplace of the legend of Chang'e flying to the moon, and scenic spots such as "Benyue Platform" and "Yueguan" in the scenic area are related to this legend. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, Taoist culture flourished here. Taoists like Ge Xuan and Ge Hong once practiced alchemy here, leaving behind relics such as the Alchemy Well and the Moon-Viewing Altar.
After the Tang Dynasty, Buddhist culture gradually thrived. The Yangshan Qiyin Temple, built during the Huichang period of the Tang Dynasty, became one of the birthplaces of the Weiyang School of Zen. Founded by Zen Master Huiji, it was reputed to have "100,000 monks in Yangshan" during its heyday and was the Buddhist center in the Jiangnan region at that time. The Tang Dynasty Buddhist pagodas and Song Dynasty stone inscriptions preserved in the temple witness the prosperity of Zen culture.
In addition, the hot spring culture of Mount Mingyue has a long history. As early as the Qin and Han dynasties, ancestors used hot springs for healing and health preservation. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the folk custom of "hot spring bathing" took shape, and ancient hot spring pool sites are still preserved today, serving as important physical materials for studying the history of ancient hot spring utilization.
Main Attractions
Yungu Waterfall
Yungu Waterfall is one of the iconic landscapes of Mount Mingyue, located between Taiping Mountain and Yujing Mountain. With a total length of 119.57 meters and a width of about 3-4 meters, it is the tallest waterfall in Jiangxi Province. The waterfall cascades down from the top of a 1,100-meter-high cliff, forming the "Three-tiered Spring" spectacle through three levels of drops. During the rainy season, the water volume is abundant, and the splashing water surges like clouds and mist, hence the name "Yungu" (Cloud Valley). There is an observation platform at the foot of the waterfall, where visitors can get up close to feel the power of the water crashing against the rocks. The plank road along the way winds through the bamboo forest, presenting changing scenery with each step, and the landscape is serene and peaceful.
Mount Mingyue Selenium-Rich Hot Springs
Mount Mingyue's selenium-rich hot springs are distributed in Wenshang Town, about 15 kilometers from the core scenic area. They are rare low-mineralization, selenium-rich hot springs in the world, with a constant water temperature of 68-72℃ and a selenium content of 0.01-0.07mg/L, having high medical and health value. The hot spring area covers a total area of about 1.8 square kilometers, with facilities such as ancient hot spring pools, modern hot spring hotels, and open-air hot spring pools. Among them, "Gujing Spring Street" preserves the site of a Ming Dynasty hot spring well, with a well mouth diameter of about 1 meter and a depth of about 8 meters, which still gushes water continuously. Tourists can experience hot spring bathing here and enjoy the architectural style of the "hot spring ancient town" at the same time.
Yangshan Qiyin Temple
Yangshan Qiyin Temple is located in the deep valley of Yangshan in the hinterland of Mount Mingyue. It was founded in the first year of Huichang in the Tang Dynasty (841 AD) and is the ancestral home of the Weiyang School of Zen. The temple covers an area of about 50 mu, and the existing buildings were rebuilt on the original site in 2006, retaining the Tang Dynasty architectural style. It mainly includes the mountain gate, the Great Buddha Hall, the Scripture-Storage Building, and the Pagoda of Zen Master Huiji. The Song Dynasty "Stele of Qiyin Temple" in the temple records the historical evolution of the temple, and the Tang Dynasty stone-carved Buddha statues are exquisitely shaped, having high artistic value. Every Lunar January 15th, the temple holds a "Lantern Transmission Dharma Assembly", attracting many believers to participate.
Yueliang Lake (Moon Lake)
Yueliang Lake (Moon Lake) is an alpine lake atop Mount Mingyue, located at an altitude of approximately 1,530 meters with a surface area of about 30 mu. It gets its name because the shape of the lake resembles a full moon. The lake is formed by the convergence of mountain streams, with water so clear that the bottom is visible. Surrounded by coniferous forests and alpine meadows, it has an average summer temperature of only 22°C, making it an ideal place for summer retreats and leisure. There are lakeside trails and viewing pavilions by the lakeside. Visitors can stroll to enjoy the scenery or take a boat tour on the lake (ticket price: 30 yuan per person), overlooking the overlapping mountains with pleasant views.
Qingyun Plank Road
Qingyun Plank Road is located on the cliff of Wuyunya (Dark Cloud Cliff) at an altitude of 1,500 meters, with a total length of about 3,100 meters. Among it, the suspended section of the plank road is approximately 116 meters long and 1.5 meters wide, built along the cliff with a bottomless abyss below. The plank road is constructed with reinforced concrete and is equipped with guardrails on the outer side. When walking on it, visitors feel as if they are strolling in the clouds, able to enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Mount Mingyue. Especially in the early morning, when clouds and mist linger, the plank road looms in and out of sight, resembling a fairyland. There is a "glass viewing platform" in the middle of the plank road, covering an area of about 15 square meters, providing visitors with a thrilling and exciting viewing experience.
Food
Yichun Specialty Dishes
Wenshang Lao Selenium-Rich Hot Spring Eggs
Wenshang Lao Selenium-Rich Hot Spring Eggs are made by selecting local free-range eggs and simmering them in selenium-rich hot spring water for 30 minutes. The constant temperature of the hot spring ensures even heating of the eggs. The egg white is as tender as pudding, and the yolk is half-set in a runny state, rich in selenium, with nutritional and tonic effects. The "Hot Spring Restaurant" in the scenic area's hot spring area supplies them in limited quantities every day, and they taste unique when paired with local honey.
Zhangshu Port Chili Fried Pork
Zhangshu Port chili (though originally from Xiangyin, it is widely grown in Yichun) is stir-fried with local pork. The chili has thin skin and thick flesh, slightly spicy with a hint of sweetness, and the pork is fragrant without being greasy. This dish is a common one in Yichun's rural banquets. The "Shanli Renjia" restaurant near the scenic area cooks it with a wood-fired stove, retaining the original flavor of the ingredients, with an average consumption of about 50 yuan per person.
Surrounding Food
Yichun Zha Fen (Yichun Braided Noodles)
Yichun Zha Fen is a local traditional rice noodle, made from late rice through processes such as soaking rice, grinding into pulp, steaming the pulp, and braiding. It is in the shape of vermicelli, with a chewy texture. When eaten, it is stir-fried with bacon and green vegetables, with a rich sauce flavor, and is the first choice for Yichun people's breakfast. The "Laojie Zha Fen Store" in Wenshang Town has a history of more than 20 years, with a daily sales volume of 500 portions.
Dongmi Tang (Frozen Rice Candy)
Dongmi Tang is a traditional pastry in Yichun. It is made by steaming glutinous rice, drying it in the sun, frying it into "frozen rice", and then mixing it with maltose, sesame, and peanuts and pressing it into shape. It has a crispy and sweet taste, melting in the mouth. It is available in specialty stores in Mount Mingyue Scenic Area, with varieties such as original flavor and sesame flavor, priced at about 25 yuan per catty, suitable as a souvenir.
Tickets
The ticket price is 95 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "明月山旅游" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The core scenic area is open from 8:00 to 17:30 (admission stops at 16:30); Yangshan Qiyin Temple is open from 8:30 to 17:00; the selenium-rich hot spring area is open from 9:00 to 24:00 (some hotels are open 24 hours).
In winter (December-February), the opening hours of the core scenic area are adjusted to 8:30 to 17:00 (admission stops at 16:00). For details, please refer to the scenic area's announcement on the day.
Tour Route
Recommended One-Day Tour Route
Arrive at Mount Mingyue Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m., take the cable car (80 yuan per person for the upward trip) to the middle station, then walk to Qingyun Plank Road (about 1 hour) to experience the suspended plank road and glass viewing platform; at 10:30, head to Yueliang Lake (about 40 minutes) and take a stroll along the lakeside trail or enjoy a boat tour on the lake; at 11:30, have lunch at Yueliang Lake Restaurant, with recommended dishes including selenium-rich steamed eggs and stir-fried Zha Fen (braided noodles).
At 13:00 p.m., go to Yungu Waterfall (about 1.5 hours), enjoy the bamboo forest scenery along the way, arrive at the waterfall viewing platform to take photos as a souvenir; at 15:00, take the cable car downward (70 yuan per person for the downward trip), go to Yangshan Qiyin Temple (about 1 hour) to visit the temple buildings and historical relics; at 16:30, go to Wenshang Town to experience the selenium-rich hot springs (it is recommended to choose the open-air hot spring pool), and end the day's trip.
Transportation
- Public transportation: Take bus No. 116 in Yichun urban area to directly reach Mount Mingyue Visitor Center, with a journey of about 40 minutes and a fare of 5 yuan per person; take bus No. 6 from Yichun Station (high-speed railway station) and transfer to bus No. 116, with a total journey of about 1 hour and a total fare of 6 yuan per person; Nanchang Passenger Station has direct buses to Wenshang Town, Yichun, 6 times a day, with a journey of about 2.5 hours and a fare of 80 yuan per person.
- Self-driving: Starting from Yichun urban area, drive south along Mingyue Avenue for about 15 kilometers to reach the scenic area parking lot, with a journey of about 30 minutes; starting from Nanchang, take Shanghai-Kunming Expressway to Yichun Exit, then transfer to Mingyue Avenue, with a total distance of about 220 kilometers and a driving time of 2.5 hours. The charging standard for the scenic area parking lot is 10 yuan per car per day.
- Internal transportation in the scenic area: The core scenic area has a cable car (150 yuan per person for the whole journey, 80 yuan per person for the upward trip, 70 yuan per person for the downward trip), operating from 8:00 to 17:00; it takes about 4-5 hours to climb the mountain on foot, with rest pavilions and small shops along the way.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Yungu Waterfall: The tallest waterfall in Jiangxi, with unique three-level drop scenery, especially spectacular when the water volume is abundant in the rainy season.
- Qingyun Plank Road: A 1,500-meter high suspended plank road, with a glass viewing platform offering a thrilling viewing experience and an excellent view overlooking the mountains.
- Selenium-Rich Hot Springs: Rare selenium-rich hot springs in the world, with constant temperature water of 68-72℃ having health-preserving effects, a must-experience item for leisure and relaxation.
- Yangshan Qiyin Temple: The ancestral home of the Weiyang School of Zen, with strong Tang Dynasty architectural style and Buddhist culture, suitable for cultural visits.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to visit in spring and autumn (April-May, September-October) when the temperature is pleasant, wild flowers bloom in the mountains, and the scenery is beautiful; summer is good for summer resort, and winter is good for enjoying snow and soaking in hot springs, each with its own characteristics.
- For mountain climbing, it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes, carry sun protection products and drinking water. Some sections of Qingyun Plank Road are steep, so attention should be paid to safety.
- It is recommended to arrange the hot spring experience in the evening or at night to avoid the daytime peak. At the same time, avoid soaking in hot springs on an empty stomach or after a full meal, and each soaking time should not exceed 20 minutes.
- For food, it is recommended to go to "Gujing Spring Street" in Wenshang Town, which gathers many characteristic restaurants, where you can taste local foods such as selenium-rich hot spring eggs and Zha Fen in one stop.
- If time permits, you can stay in Wenshang Town for one night, choose a hotel with hot springs (average price about 300-600 yuan per night), and experience hot spring health preservation in depth.
Matters Needing Attention
- The mountain roads in the core scenic area are steep, and some plank roads are narrow. When visiting, you must abide by the "keep to the right" principle, do not chase and play, and do not climb over the guardrails.
- When soaking in the hot spring area, you must abide by the regulations. People with hypertension, heart disease and other diseases should consult a doctor in advance. Pregnant women and those who have been drinking are prohibited from soaking in hot springs.
- Yangshan Qiyin Temple is a religious site. When visiting, you must keep quiet, do not make noise, do not touch the Buddha statues and cultural relics, and obtain permission before taking photos.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the ecological environment and do not pick wild animals and plants.
- When buying selenium-rich products (such as hot spring eggs, Dongmi Tang), choose regular stores, check the product shelf life and ingredient instructions, and avoid buying counterfeit and shoddy products.