Things to do in Lushan City

Everyone says Lushan is a natural air-conditioned room, and I personally experienced it. In the summer evenings, the cool mountain breeze instantly dispelled the heat of hiking. I was initially worried about the difficulty of the route, as my physical condition is average and I don't hike often. However, I was surprised to find myself successfully completing the entire trek across all five peaks. The transitions between peaks weren't continuous steep slopes; I could walk a bit, rest occasionally, enjoy the breeze, and gaze at the distant mountains – the views were expansive. The evening breeze was the biggest surprise of the trip; the fresh scent of grass and trees mingled with the cool air, without the stifling heat of midsummer.

Lushan Mountain, if you have enough time, you really should spend three or four days exploring it at a leisurely pace. I only had an afternoon and a morning for a rushed tour. East Route: Three-Tiered Spring (2600 steps up and down, a real challenge!), Five Old Men Peak (you absolutely must climb to the top; I recommend climbing from one to five in order, try it and see!), Hanpokou, Dakou Waterfall (the water volume in the off-season is really...😅😅😅), Lulin Lake, Lushan Museum (Mao Zedong's former residence). West Route: Ruqin Lake, Fairy Cave, Bai Juyi's Thatched Cottage, Flower Path, Meilu, Lushan Conference Site. For meals, head to the main street of Guling Town; there are so many good places to eat! Food? Tonight you absolutely must watch "Romance on Lushan Mountain," a classic old movie that connects all the scenic spots of Lushan. It's a short film, perfect for a Guinness World Record attempt! On the road, the sightseeing cable car and shuttle bus are must-buys; walking will leave you exhausted. The shuttle bus is 70 yuan for 7 days—a great price! The drivers are generally very friendly, and since it's the off-season, there seem to be more buses than people, so there's no need to wait excessively or queue. 🫰🫰🫰 For the return trip from Lushan, there's a direct bus from the lower cable car station to the Lushan High-Speed ​​Railway Station for 10 yuan, a 20-minute ride.

The San Die Quan Waterfall truly lives up to its reputation. The scenery is completely different from Huang Guo Shu Waterfall. Climbing nearly 3000 steps up and down, my legs were shaking. But the feeling of the waterfall's mist splashing on you after reaching the top was truly magical.

This is the world's largest golden statue of Maitreya Buddha, two meters taller than the Statue of Liberty, and 30 kilometers of gold were poured into its body. A straight staircase leads directly to the statue. Worshippers should walk on the right side, where the wooden flooring makes it easy to bow. Tourists should walk on the left side, where the terrazzo flooring is tiled. This scenic area is free, built with donations from believers from around the world. However, entry is restricted after 5:30 PM, so it's recommended to visit early in the morning.

It's better to take the cable car up and walk down; it saves energy and allows you to see everything you need to see. Unfortunately, we went on a foggy day with low water levels, so we couldn't fully appreciate the atmosphere described in Li Bai's poem. We'll come back during the rainy season.

It was great! I went back after ten years. There was a free shuttle bus at the entrance of the scenic area to take you to the entrance of the academy. It was fantastic! There were also activities such as pitch-pot, chess, and lacquer fan making at the entrance of the scenic area.

Guling Town is a small town perched atop Mount Lushan, serving as a transportation hub for tourists. It boasts comprehensive facilities, with hotels and restaurants everywhere, and shops and inns lining the streets. It's beautiful both day and night, making for a pleasant stroll. Staying here is very convenient when visiting Mount Lushan.

The little train is for standing passengers. The staff said it runs every 15 minutes, and we waited about seven or eight minutes before boarding. The journey itself is flat and takes about 30 minutes. Considering the time spent getting there and waiting, it wasn't actually worth it. Several people advised against it, but we rode it anyway. The little train runs in two pairs, pulled by a rope, basically like an elevator. The ticket price isn't really worth it.

Hanpokou is, in my opinion, the most beautiful scenic spot in Lushan, without a doubt. Other attractions aren't as good as advertised. Lushan is incredibly crowded, and the shuttle bus service is poorly managed.

- Huxi Bridge: The place where the legendary story of "Three Smiles at Huxi" took place in the history of Chinese culture. The bridge is simple and the surrounding scenery is quiet.   ​ - Heavenly King Hall: One of the important buildings of Donglin Temple. The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings in the hall are solemn and majestic, which makes people awe-inspiring.   ​ - Daxiong Hall: The main hall of Donglin Temple. The Buddha statues in the hall are tall and majestic, with incense smoke and Buddhist chants, solemn and solemn.   ​ - Huiyuan Tomb Tower: Located on the hill west of Donglin Temple, it is the tomb tower of Huiyuan, the founder of the "Pure Land Sect" of Eastern Buddhism. It has a simple shape and profound historical and cultural value.