Mount Song/Songshan Mountain: One of China’s Five Mountains

Located in the northwest of Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, Mount Song, aka Songshan Mountain or Song Mountain, is known as the “Middle Mountain” among China’s Five Mountains, with an area of about 450 square kilometers. Mount Song has 72 peaks, consisting of Taishi Mountain and Shaoshi Mountain. The main peak, Junji Peak of Taishi Mountain, has an altitude of 1,492 meters. The ancient Mount Song started 3.6 billion years ago and is known as the “Encyclopedia of Geology”.

Within Mount Song, there are the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism – Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Taoism – Zhongyue Temple, one of the four major academies of the Song Dynasty – Songyang Academy, the earliest surviving brick pagoda in China – Songyue Temple Pagoda, the oldest and most intact astronomical building in China – Observatory, and the oldest Han Dynasty ritual architecture in China – Three Han Towers. Cultural relics are scattered everywhere, and Buddhism, Confucianism, and Confucianism gather together, with extensive and profound connotations.

Mount Song is not only a world cultural heritage, but also a world geological park. The rich cultural resources and rare geological relics complement each other, forming a charming and multi-level landscape of Songshan Scenic Area. In September 2024, Mount Song was shortlisted for the first batch of 14 world-renowned tourist mountains. Welcome to travel to Luoyang, Henan to explore this spectacular and beautiful Mount Song.

Facts About Mount Song

• Location: about 65 km eastof Luoyang City and 80 km southwest of Zhengzhou City
• Opening time: 07:00 -17:00
• Time needed: about 1-2 days
• Suited to: anyone who is interested in nature, history, culture, and religion. It is also a great place for hiking, climbing, photography, and learning.
• Ticket information:

What to See and Do in Mount Song

Songshan Scenic Area includes three major scenic areas. Among them, Shaolin Scenic Area is located in the west of Songshan Scenic Area, Songyang Scenic Area in the middle, and Zhongyue Scenic Area in the east.

Shaolin Scenic Area (A world renowned tourist destination)

• Shaolin Templeis the ancestral court of Zen Buddhism and the birthplace of Shaolin martial arts, known as the “number one temple in the world”. Shaolin Changzhu Yard was built in 495 of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and it is a place where monks perform Buddhist activities.
• Shaolin Pagoda Forestof Mount Song is the largest group of tomb pagodas in China, known as the “Ancient Pagoda Art Museum of China”. It has a total of more than 200 brick and stone tomb pagodas from seven dynasties, most of which have inscriptions on them.
• The natural landscape of Mount Song is concentrated in Sanhuang Villageof Shaoshi Mountain, which is the best viewing spot in Songshan World Geopark. There are more than 40 representative landscapes, including Monkey Watching the Sky, Tiger Roaring on Cloud Peaks, Sunset, and Autumn.

Zhongyue Scenic Area

• Zhongyue Temple, the most well-preserved historical architectural complex among China’s Five Mountains, was originally a place for worshiping the god of Mount Song, and later became a place for Taoist activities.
• The Observatory, a well-preserved astronomical observation instrument from the Yuan Dynasty, has a history of more than 730 years.It can be used to observe the movements of the sun, moon and stars to determine solar terms and formulate
• The Luya Waterfallis located at the foot of Xuanlian Peak in Taishi Mountain, Songshan. It is one of the eight ancient scenic spots in Songshan. Spring water falls step by step from the mountain cliffs, gathering into a pool with shimmering waves, resembling a fairyland on earth.

Songyang Scenic Area

• Songyang Academy, the first of the four major academies of the Northern Song Dynasty, is one of the birthplaces of Neo Confucianismin Song Dynasty.
• The construction of Songyue Temple Pagodadates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty, with a history of at least 1,450 years. It is surrounded by mountains, with beautiful forests and springs.
• Junji Peakis the highest peak of Taishi Mountain. The rugged rocks and cliffs on Taishi Mountain make the scenery of Junji Peak unique and extremely attractive. There is Junji Palace on the mountain top.

Activities in Mount Song

If you stay one night in Mount Song, you can watch Shaolin Zen Music Ritual. From mid-March to mid-November, the show will be presented every day at 20:15. Set against the backdrop of Mount Songshan, this 70-minute magnificent live show takes place in an open-air theater near the Shaolin Temple, and seamlessly blends Zen Buddhism, Shaolin Kung Fu, music, and dance.

In addition, you can also see Shaolin Kung Fu Performance in Shaolin Temple every day, and the performance time is 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 14:00, 16:00 and 17:00.

Hiking and Cable Car Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable hiking journey or take a cable car ride up Songshan Mountain. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty with awe-inspiring peaks, verdant forests, captivating rock formations, and more. Along the way, you can visit temples, towers, and other cultural relics that dot the landscape, adding a touch of spirituality to your Louyang tours.

Recommend Henan Tours to Mount Song

• Luoyang Highlight Day Tour: Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple
• 2 Days Best Luoyang Tour with Local Experts
• 3 Days Classic Shaolin Kung Fu Class Tour

Best Time to Visit Mount Song

The optimal time to visit Mount Song is from April to October. During this period, the climate is suitable and the scenery is beautiful.

Specifically, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best choices. In spring, all things come back to life, mountain flowers bloom brilliantly; In autumn, the mountains are covered in red leaves, creating a picturesque scenery. These two seasons are also suitable for outdoor activities and hiking tours.

Tips: Different scenic spots in Mount Song are far apart. If you do not have enough time, you can choose the core attractions to visit according to your own preferences.

How to Get to Mount Song

From Luoyang to the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, it takes over 70 minutes.

From Zhengzhou via Dengfeng to the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, it takes nearly 2 hours.

Attractions Nearby Mount Song

• Longmen Grottoes: Longmen Grottoes is an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site in Louyang, renowned for itsintricate Buddhist rock carvings. Admire the thousands of statues and relics that adorn the caves, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and religious significance.
• Luoyang Museum: Delve into the rich history of Central Chinaat the Luoyang Museum. Explore its extensive collection of artifacts, including ancient pottery, bronze items, and cultural relics, providing valuable insights into the local heritage.
• White Horse Temple: As one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China, the White Horse Temple holds immense historical and cultural importance. Discover its serene courtyards, beautiful pagodas, and ancient statues while immersing yourself in the tranquil ambiance of this temple.