Sanqing Mountain of China is located in the northeast of Jiangxi Province. It has been listed as a World Geopark and UNESCO World Heritage Site for its spectacular landscape, geological formations, and diverse wildlife. It is sometimes referred to as the “Little Yellow Mountain” because of its resemblance in natural wonder.
Sanqing Mountain is at the same time a Taoist sacred mountain with over 1,600 years of Taoist history. The mountain is named after its three highest peaks, Yujing, Yuxu, and Yuhua, with the highest Yujing Peak being 1,819.9 meters (5,970.8 feet) tall. They represent the Taoist trinity; “Sanqing” means the “Three Pure Ones.” There are over 230 ancient architectural remains and stone carvings of Taoism.
The strange peaks and rocks, ancient trees and flowers, rushing waterfalls, and the sea of clouds and fog are known as the four natural wonders of Sanqing Mountain. There are ten scenic areas with the ten greatest attractions, including the Oriental Goddess, Monster Python Peak, and Monkey King Appreciating Treasures. Cultural wonders include ancient Taoist temples and palaces.
Fast Facts about Sanqing Mountain
- Location: Sanqing Town, Yushan County, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province
- Opening Hours: 8:30 am-5 pm
- Tickets: CNY 120 for entry; cable ride CNY 70 uphill, CNY 55 downhill
- Best Time of the Year: spring (March to May) and fall (September to November)
- Recommended Visit Time: 1-2 days
- Suited to: photographers, hikers, nature lovers
Sanqing Mountain Major Scenic Areas
1. Nanqing Park Scenic Area
Nanqing Park Scenic Area sits in the center of Sanqing Mountain with an average elevation of 1,577 meters (5,174 feet). This scenic area has the essence of the natural landscape in Sanqing Mountain, displaying the geomorphological features of granite peaks formed over 1.4 billion years of geological evolution.
You’ll find most of the best attractions of Sanqing Mountain here, including Liuxia Terrace, the Oriental Goddess, Monster Python Peak, the Azalea Valley. The attractions constitute a loop trail.
2. Sanqing Holy Land Scenic Area
Sanqing Holy Land Scenic Area is located in the northern part of Sanqing Mountain. It is the best scenic area to see Taoist landscape of Sanqing Mountain, the “the outdoor museum” of ancient Taoist architecture. The area has an average elevation of 1,530 meters (5,020 feet), is home to the Sanqing Temple, which has a Taoist history of more than 1,600 years. You’ll see statues of famous Taoists.
Outside, more than 230 ancient buildings and cultural relics, including temples, halls, houses, squares, springs, ponds, bridges, tombs, terraces, and pagodas, are all meticulously arranged in the layout of Bagua. This site is valuable for the studying of the layout of ancient Taoist buildings in China.
3. West Coast Scenic Area
The West Coast Scenic Area is located in the west of Sanqing Mountain. It is the most open scenic area in Sanqing Mountain with an average altitude of 1,600 meters (5,249 feet). Sanqing Mountain has been submerged by sea three times, and it was once the coastline of the area.
This scenic area is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) in length with no steps for 3.6 kilometers. It is the highest and longest mountain plank road in China. Walk along the path among pines, peaks and rolling mountains. It is the best spot for seeing the sunrise, sunsets, and the sea of clouds with excellent weather.
Tips for Hiking in Sanqing Mountain
- Entrances: Sanqing Mountain has two entrances each with cable ride services, Jinsha in the east and Waishuangxi in the south. If you would like to climb up the mountain, the hiking trail starts at the Waishuangxi entrance. Jinsha’s entrance is for cable rides only.
- Travel Time: If you’re traveling for just one day, you should either take the cable ride up or down the mountain to save time. To hike around all the major attractions, the total journey will be about 16 kilometers (10 miles). It’s best to spend a night in the mountains and set aside two days for your Sanqing Mountain tour.
- Accommodation: There are accommodations both at the foot of and on the mountain. You have a range of options from luxurious hotels with gorgeous mountain views to Quanlin farm stay. There are also tents set up for camping.
How to Get to Sanqing Mountain
By Air: If you’re traveling to Jiangxi from other places, fly into Shangrao Sanqingshan Airport, which is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Sanqing Mountain. If you take a taxi, it’s about a two-hour drive. Or you can first take the airport bus to Shangrao city center, then take a coach to Sanqing Mountain.
By Train: There are several options if you’re traveling by train. You may travel to:
- Shangrao Railway Station (high speed rail)
- Yushan Southern Railway Station (high speed rail)
- Yushan Railway Station
- Wuyuan Railway Station (high speed rail)
From these stations, you can either take a taxi or head to the nearby coach station to Sanqing Mountain.
By Coach: There are direct services to Sanqing Mountain from Shangrao East Coach Station, Yushan Coach Station, Wuyuan Coach Station. Coaches are relatively cheap but might be more time consuming.
Recommended Jiangxi Tours to Sanqing Mountain
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