Things to do in Mount Hengshan
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Top 10 attractions in Mount Hengshan
Zhurong Town
Zhurong Town is located in the Tianzi Mountain area of Nanyue. It is a large-scale Attraction complex in Nanyue Hengshan that integrates performances and celebrations, tourist gatherings, health vacations, leisure and entertainment, sightseeing, cultural origins, business contacts, study tours, and special shopping. Since it was officially opened to the public on April 24, 2021, it has successively held the first large-scale fire lantern temple fair, the first Nanyue Zhurong Town Flower Drum Opera Festival, the 2021 "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" Hunan Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotion and Exhibition Main Event, "Mountains as Witnesses" - "Three Mountains, One Water and Three Painting Academy" The first "Red Five-Star" Art Works Joint Exhibition and many other activities. "Mountain climbing during the day and watching opera at night" has become a reality here, and it has become a new business card and new landmark for Nanyue tourism, opening up broad market prospects for Nanyue two-day tours, three-day tours and holiday experience tours.Hengyang · 40.6 km from downtown
Zhurong Hall
Hengyang · 46.2 km from downtown
liao shi zhang ling qi zhi mu
Hengyang · 43.8 km from downtown
Li Zijian Art Museum
Li Zijian Art Museum is located on the bank of Xiangjiang River in the Yanghu Wetland Park area of Changsha City. It is a large-scale modern public art museum in China and abroad, which was solely invested and founded by Li Zijian and Dan Hui. The construction started in December 2014 and was completed and opened on October 1, 2016. At the same time, Li Zijian Art Museum has the reputation of "the world's largest individual artist art museum". Introduction to artist Li Zijian: Li Zijian is a famous American painter and the director of Li Zijian Art Museum. Born in Shaoyang, Hunan in 1954, he graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 1982 and moved to Los Angeles, USA in 1988. Over the past 20 years, he has held 72 large-scale global tour solo exhibitions in 30 countries and regions on six continents. He has independently and at his own expense promoted the universal values of "humanity and love" and spread the spirit of Chinese culture through realistic oil painting art tours, and has gained international reputation and attracted attention in the art world. In March 2018, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Knight of the Order of Literature (Arts) of the United Nations Global Philanthropy Alliance in Paris, France. In 2006, he was awarded the "Special Contribution Medal for International Peace" at the International Peace Forum. In 2005, he was awarded the European Byzantine "Knight of the Order of St. John" in Belgium and was knighted. In October 2016, painter Li Zijian and his wife invested in the construction of the "Artist's Personal Art Museum" - Li Zijian Art Museum in Changsha, Hunan, and he served as the lifelong director.Changsha · 97.2 km from Mount Hengshan
Dongzhou Isle
Dongzhou lsland is located in the middle of the Xiang River, dividing it asymmetrically with a slight eastern bias. Its shape resembles a bow drawn eastward, hence its name. The island features attractions such as Fuzhi Tower, a children's play area, Chuanshan Academy, and Luohan Temple, making it one of the eight ancient scenic spots of Hengyang.Hengyang · 45.3 km from Mount Hengshan
Orange Isle Scenic Area
Orange Isle Scenic Area is a narrow sandbar lying across the heart of the Xiang River in Changsha, stretching approx. five km. It faces Yuelu Mountain to the west and borders Changsha's old city to the east, surrounded by water on all sides. Named after the abundant orange trees planted on the isle, it was historically called Shuiluzhou. Formed by river alluvium, this sandbar has existed for over a millennium, where the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery was once among the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. In 1925, the poem "Spring in a pleasure garden - Changsha" was composed here, with its iconic line "Alone I stand in the biting fall, watching the Xiang River flow north past Orange Isle's head," which made this riverine landmark widely renowned. The highlights of the visit are concentrated at the islet's head: A granite art sculpture over 30 m tall, modeled after the 1925 youth image, stands facing the river as Changsha's highly recognizable landmark. Nearby, the Questioning Heaven Platform extends toward the river center, where leaning on the railing reveals the mighty Xiang River flowing northward, with Yuelu Mountain and the city skylines on both banks facing each other across the water. The Songju Pavilion, white marble poetry stele, and the 200-year-old ancient phoenix tree at the islet head are all in this area. Heading north from the islet head, a hundred-acre orange orchard bears golden fruits in fall, while bamboo groves, peach orchards, plum gardens, and osmanthus groves take turns showcasing seasonal flora. The historic Zhuzhang Ferry (where Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi once crossed the Xiang River for lectures) and the Huxiang Culture Exhibition Hall are scattered along the way. At the islet's tail, the reconstructed Jiangshen Temple and Gongji Tower area was precisely where ancients admired the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery. The island is long and narrow, making round-trip walks quite tiring. A sightseeing train is available for transportation, with multiple stops along the way for hopping on and off. Travelers with limited time are advised to head straight to the island's tip to see the sculpture and river views, then stroll leisurely along the riverside path. At dusk, watching the sunset over the Xiang River and seeing the lights gradually illuminate both shores from the island's tip is especially worth setting aside time for.China · Changsha
Mount Yuelu
Mount Yuelu stands on the west bank of the Xiang River and is a landmark mountain in Changsha. At its foot lies the Yuelu Academy, founded during the Northern Song Dynasty, a millennium-old institution sharing the mountain's name. Ascending from here leads to Qingfeng Gorge, where the Aiwan Pavilion, named after Du Mu's poetic line "I stop my carriage to admire the maple woods at dusk," is surrounded by maple trees. Midway up the mountain, the ancient Lushan Temple, established in the Western Jin Dynasty over 1,700 years ago, features a lush six-dynasty-era podocarpus tree in front of its sutra repository. At the summit stands the Yunlu Palace, a Taoist temple built during the Ming Dynasty, offering panoramic views of the Xiang River and Changsha's urban area. The mountain's historical sites extend further, with the Yu King Stele, Python Cave, and Changsha Battle Memorial Stele scattered along its trails. Modern figures such as Huang Xing, Cai E, and Chen Tianhua are also buried here, making the mountain a condensed repository of profound modern history. Most cultural attractions are concentrated near the south gate, where you can visit major historic sites in sequence from Yuelu Academy to Aiwan Pavilion. For those preferring not to hike, a cableway station near the east gate allows easy ascent, eliminating most uphill climbing. With an elevation of about 300 m and well-developed trails, reaching the summit on foot is manageable. Ancient trees like Jin dynasty podocarps, Tang dynasty ginkgos, Song-Yuan era camphor trees, and Ming-Qing maple-chestnuts line the paths, making the entire mountain resemble a natural botanical museum. In late fall when maple leaves turn red across the slopes, it becomes an ideal time for hiking. Allocate half a day to leisurely photograph Aiwan Pavilion and the mountaintop viewpoints.China · Changsha
Shigu Academy
Shigu Academy is located on Shigu Mountain in the north of Hengyang, at the confluence of the Zheng River and the Xiang River. Surrounded by water on three sides, it has long been praised as "the magnificent Shigu landscape." The academy was founded in the fifth year of the Yuanhe era of the Tang Dynasty (810 AD) and continued to operate until the end of the Qing Dynasty, spanning over a thousand years. It was founded more than a hundred years earlier than the Yuelu and Bailudong academies. During the Northern Song Dynasty, it was granted imperial plaques by both Emperor Taizong and Emperor Renzong, and was subsequently ranked alongside the Suiyang, Bailudong, and Yuelu academies as one of the "Four Great Academies of China," serving as an important birthplace of Huxiang culture. The buildings were destroyed by fire during the war, and were rebuilt on the original site in 2006 according to the architectural layout of the Qing Dynasty. Crossing the mountain gate, you are greeted by a large stone drum made of granite from Mount Heng. The original drum has long been lost, and the one before you was made by later generations, yet it remains a striking landmark. Following the central axis, you will find the Yu Stele Pavilion, which houses the Yu Stele inscribed with tadpole script; the Wuhou Temple, which commemorates Zhuge Liang; and the shrine dedicated to Li Fu, a famous official of the Southern Song Dynasty. Further in is the Daguan Tower, the main building of the academy. In front of the tower stands a statue of Confucius. The first floor, "Jingye Hall," restores the scene of lectures from the past, while the library on the second floor displays portraits of the "Seven Sages of Shigu"—Li Kuan, Han Yu, Zhou Dunyi, Zhu Xi, and Zhang Shi—as well as calligraphy and paintings by famous figures throughout history. The Hejiang Pavilion at the northern end, also known as the Lüjing Pavilion, is named after Han Yu's poem "The green is so pure one cannot spit," and is a great place to overlook the confluence of the Zheng and Xiang rivers. The Zhuling Rear Cave at the northeast foot was once known as "a thousand poems in the Zhuling Cave," and inscriptions such as "Zhuling Rear Cave" and "Dongya" still remain at the cave entrance. The ancients summarized the scenery here as the "Eight Views of the Academy"—Dawn Sun at Dongyan, Night Toad at Xixi, Breeze at Lüjing, Residual Snow at Wazun, Sound of Books at the River Pavilion, Evening Singing at the Fishing Confluence, Withered Vines on the Plank Road, and Greenery at the Confluence. Most of these are related to the river scenery at dawn or dusk. Among them, "Residual Snow at Wazun" is particularly interesting: after a snowfall, the snow on the mountain melts without a trace, but the snow inside the Wazun Stone, which is solid on the outside and hollow on the inside, remains unmelted throughout the winter. After visiting, the Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake praised this place for having the beauty of both the Pavilion of Prince Teng and the Yellow Crane Tower. Today, the academy often holds cultural activities such as opening-pen ceremonies and study gatherings, making it a particularly suitable place to bring children to experience the scholarly atmosphere of this thousand-year-old institution.Hengyang · 41.1 km from Mount Hengshan
Hunan Botanical Garden
Hunan Forestry Botanical Garden is a great place to enjoy nature, flowers, and family fun. The forest is dense, the environment is lush, and the air is fresh. The park is divided into several areas: the cherry blossom garden, the lotus garden, and the Rhododendron square. Flower exhibitions are held from time to time in the park when beautiful tulips, cherry blossoms, peonies, and lotus flowers are blooming. The area is large and beautiful when in full bloom.Changsha · 97.9 km from Mount Hengshan
Hunan Museum
Hunan Museum has a rich collection of cultural relics, especially of those from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs. The Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs Exhibition is a permanent exhibit at Hunan Museum. It features thin-as-cicada-wing plain yarn garments, undamaged printed cotton gowns, all kinds of exquisite embroidery, brightly painted lacquer wares, delicate and detailed paintings, and so on.China · Changsha
Experiences you can't miss in Mount Hengshan
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Free things to do in Mount Hengshan
Zhurong Town
Hengyang · 40.6 km from downtownZhurong Hall
Hengyang · 46.2 km from downtownliao shi zhang ling qi zhi mu
Hengyang · 43.8 km from downtownLi Zijian Art Museum
Changsha · 97.2 km from Mount HengshanDongzhou Isle
Hengyang · 45.3 km from Mount HengshanOrange Isle Scenic Area
China · ChangshaMount Yuelu
China · ChangshaShigu Academy
Hengyang · 41.1 km from Mount HengshanHunan Botanical Garden
Changsha · 97.9 km from Mount HengshanHunan Museum
China · Changsha
What travelers say about Mount Hengshan
谜蝶香March 24, 2026
3.0
This place is no longer called Zhurong Town; it's now called Time City 1944. Locals get in free; it's 50 yuan for adults and 30 yuan for seniors from other areas. It's not a large place.
Zhurong Town
wan***ngOctober 19, 2026
4.0
The surrounding environment is great; the park outside is definitely worth spending some time in. The museum itself has a fairly extensive collection. We rented a guided tour with the artists themselves, where you can hear their creative thoughts and background—it was quite interesting. However, sometimes the "sensing" function wasn't very effective; while standing in front of one painting, I'd sense the explanation of another, which could waste a bit of time. The gift shop has some nice designs; perhaps they could expand the selection. Overall, it's still worthwhile!
Li Zijian Art Museum
E08***03March 13, 2026
5.0
There is Chuanshan Academy (a landmark of Hunan culture, with additional fees for the internal exhibition halls), Luohan Ancient Temple, and Fuzhi Tower; in spring, "Dongzhou Peach Blossom Waves" is one of the eight scenic spots of ancient Hengyang, and the thousand-meter-long peach forest is perfect for taking photos in an ancient style; admission to the island is free, and the covered bridge is pedestrian-friendly.
Dongzhou Isle
Anonymous userOctober 8, 2026
5.0
There were no assigned seats, so you could sit anywhere. We spent most of our time on the third deck enjoying the view and taking photos. Although it was very hot outside, there was a breeze on both sides of the deck, so it wasn't too bad. There were karaoke machines and vendors selling snacks and drinks on both the second and third decks. The air conditioning on the second deck was very strong. We arrived at the pier half an hour early, and there was already a queue.
Orange Isle Scenic Area
118***58October 5, 2026
5.0
During the National Day holiday, the crowds were immense. Our tour guide, Xiao Xiang, led us along the way, providing lively and engaging explanations that saved us from taking unnecessary detours and greatly improved efficiency. He also clearly outlined the key locations.
Mount Yuelu
西格玛 123April 16, 2026
5.0
The ancient Shigu Academy, located at the confluence of the Xiang River and the Zheng River, is an important birthplace of Hunan culture. Standing at the confluence and looking north, the river is wide and the view is excellent.
Shigu Academy
Anonymous userAugust 17, 2026
4.0
Admission is free; same-day reservations are possible.
Accessible by subway and public buses.
On-site facilities are adequate, including restrooms, shops, luggage storage, and parking.
Plants are in good condition.
Sometimes, depending on the flowering season, some plants may be removed and replanted. It is recommended to check in advance if you wish to see specific species.
The temperature inside the greenhouse is high; it is advisable to bring sufficient drinking water and a fan.
Hunan Botanical Garden
Anonymous userOctober 9, 2026
5.0
Since we couldn't book through the official website, we chose this option. Entry was smooth, and the guide even led us into a classroom for a brief explanation before the tour. The explanation was very detailed and thorough. Even with many people inside, the guide repeatedly checked the number of people and led the group. Overall, they were very dedicated and responsible, and we learned a lot from the guide – definitely worth the visit.
Hunan Museum
