The Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area is located in Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area features rich cultural landscapes and unique natural scenery: cultural attractions are concentrated within the 2.18-square-kilometer core area, including the Shaolin Temple known as the "No.1 Buddhist Temple under Heaven" (the ancestral home of Chan Buddhism and birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu), and the Pagoda Forest with 228 brick-and-stone tomb pagodas from 7 dynasties (Tang to Qing) and 3 modern pagodas; natural scenery is concentrated in Sanhuangzhai of Shaoshi Mountain, where the three major orogenic and continent-building movements of "Songyang, Zhongyue, and Shaolin" converge, serving as the best viewing spot of Songshan Global Geopark with more than 40 landscapes.
History and Culture
Shaolin in Songshan has a long history. Shaolin Temple was first built in the 19th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD), ordered by Emperor Xiaowen to accommodate the Indian eminent monk Master Batuo at the northern foot of Shaoshi Mountain in Songshan.
Damo, the First Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, meditated facing the wall in Damo Cave on Wuru Peak behind Shaolin for nine years from 527 to 536 AD, realizing the Eastern Chan Buddhism, making Shaolin the birthplace of Chan Buddhism.
Shaolin Kung Fu originated in the Northern Wei Dynasty, thrived in the Tang and Song dynasties, and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties, forming a unique martial arts system. Known as "All Martial Arts under Heaven Originate from Shaolin," it is an important representative of Chinese kung fu.
Main Attractions
Shaolin Temple Regular Residence
The core building of Shaolin, a place for monks' Buddhist activities, was first built in the 19th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD). The three characters "Shaolin Temple" on the temple gate were personally inscribed by Kangxi. The ancient ginkgo tree in front of Tianwang Hall is over 1,500 years old, with finger hole marks left by monks practicing One-Finger Zen and Two-Finger Zen on the tree.
Shaolin Pagoda Forest
The largest existing tomb pagoda group in China, with 228 brick-and-stone tomb pagodas from 7 dynasties (Tang to Qing) and 3 modern pagodas. Most pagodas have stone or brick inscriptions, serving as important physical materials for studying ancient architecture and Buddhist culture.
Sanhuangzhai
Located on the mountainside of the western foot of Shaoshi Mountain, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, it is a representative natural scenic area of Songshan Global Geopark and National Forest Park, with more than 40 landscapes such as Monkey Watching Heaven and Cloud Peak Tiger Roar.
First Patriarch Nunnery
Built in the Song Dynasty to commemorate Damo's wall-facing meditation for enlightenment, covering an area of more than 3,000 square meters. It was announced as the fourth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council on November 20, 1996.
Damo Cave
A natural cave, about 7 meters deep and 3 meters wide. Legend has it that Damo meditated here facing the wall for nine years, and his image remains on the stone wall.
Yongtai Temple
The first nunnery built after Chan Buddhism was introduced to China, and the earliest existing royal nunnery in China, known as the ancestral home of Chan Buddhism for nuns.
Delicacies
Dengfeng Sesame Crispy Covered Sesame Cake
A characteristic food of Dengfeng, with sesame seeds covering the surface, crispy and aromatic, hollow in the middle, and can be stuffed with braised meat, tofu skewers, etc., offering rich tastes and delicious flavor.
Shaolin Vegetarian Cuisine
Using vegetables, beans, fungi, etc., produced by the temple as main ingredients, following Buddhist vegetarian concepts, the dishes are exquisitely shaped, light and refreshing, such as stir-fried seasonal vegetables and Arhat Vegetarian Feast, allowing visitors to feel the tranquility of Buddhist culture while enjoying food.
Stewed Starch Jelly
Made from sweet potato starch, it can be fried, stir-fried, or stewed. Fried starch jelly is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while stir-fried starch jelly is paired with various vegetables, fresh and aromatic, a common food on local tables.
Tickets
The ticket price for Songshan Shaolin Scenic Area is 80 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "嵩山旅游" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area ticket office is open from 7:30 to 17:30, and Shaolin Temple is open from 8:00 to 17:30.
Tour Routes
Regular One-day Tour Route: Enter the scenic area in the morning, visit Shaolin Temple Regular Residence and watch Shaolin Kung Fu performances, then go to the Pagoda Forest; in the afternoon, take a cable car to Sanhuangzhai, enjoy the scenery of Shaoshi Mountain, and return to the gate after passing through Haohan Slope, Nantianmen and other attractions.
In-depth Two-day Tour Route: On the first day, visit Shaolin Temple Regular Residence and Pagoda Forest in the morning, and visit First Patriarch Nunnery and Damo Cave in the afternoon; on the second day, spend the whole day touring Sanhuangzhai, and you can go to Yongtai Temple to experience the charm of Shaolin Scenic Area, Songshan in all aspects.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Shaolin Scenic Area, Songshan", with parking fees near the scenic area about 10 yuan.
- Public Transportation: There are buses from Zhengzhou Railway Station's Passenger Transport Center Bus Station and Zhengzhou East Railway Station's Passenger Transport East Station to Dengfeng, taking about 1.5 hours; from Dengfeng urban area, take a shuttle bus to Shaolin Temple, about one every 20 minutes, fare 5 yuan, journey 40 minutes.
- Taxi: About 30 yuan from Dengfeng urban area to the scenic area.
Must-visit Attractions
- Shaolin Temple Regular Residence: The ancestral home of Chan Buddhism and birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, with Kangxi's inscribed plaque, feeling the culture of Buddhism and Shaolin Kung Fu.
- Pagoda Forest: The largest tomb pagoda group in China, with more than 200 tomb pagodas witnessing history, a treasure house for studying Buddhism and architecture.
- Sanhuangzhai: At an altitude of 1,200 meters, the best viewing spot of Songshan Geopark, with more than 40 magnificent natural landscapes.
- Damo Cave: The place where Damo meditated facing the wall for nine years, with his image in the cave, feeling the connotation of Chan culture.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to spend 1-2 days, and 2 days for in-depth experience.
- Pay attention to the Shaolin Kung Fu performance time in advance and arrange the itinerary reasonably.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes as there are many mountain roads in the scenic area.
- Take sun protection measures (sun hat, sunscreen) in summer and keep warm in winter.
Notes
- Photography is prohibited in some attractions, please follow the regulations.
- Keep quiet when visiting the temple, respect Buddhist beliefs and customs, and do not make loud noises or improper behaviors.
- Obey the instructions of staff and follow safety regulations when taking the cable car.
- There are few toilets on Shaoshi Mountain and water may be unavailable, so solve physiological needs in advance at the foot of the mountain.
- Commodity prices in the scenic area are relatively high, you can bring your own drinking water and snacks, but do not litter and keep the scenic area clean.