Dengfeng

Shaolin Temple

The Shaolin Temple is located at the foot of Wuru Peak of Mount Song in Dengfeng. Founded in the 19th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (495 AD), it was built by imperial decree of Emperor Xiaowen for the Indian monk Batuo. Thirty-two years later, Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism, arrived at the Shaolin Temple and meditated in a stone cave behind the temple on Wuru Peak for nine years, founding the Zen (Chan) tradition in Chinese Buddhism. The Shaolin Temple is thus revered as the “Birthplace of Zen Buddhism.” The temple reached its zenith during the Sui and Tang dynasties, when Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) personally bestowed the plaque “Number One Temple Under Heaven” upon it. The Shaolin warrior monks participated in numerous historical battles, the most famous being the story of the Thirteen Shaolin Monks who rescued the Tang Emperor. Stone steles inscribed by Emperor Taizong are still preserved in the temple today. Over more than 1,500 years of history, the Shaolin Temple has become one of the most iconic symbols of Chinese Buddhist and martial arts culture, with enormous global recognition and influence.

The Shaolin Temple scenic area is divided into several sections: the Main Compound (Changzhu Yuan), Pagoda Forest, Chuzu An, Damo Cave, Erzu An, and the Martial Arts Performance Hall. The Main Compound is the temple's core building complex, arranged along a central axis with seven courtyards: the Mountain Gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Sutra Library, Abbot's Room, Damo Pavilion, and Thousand Buddha Hall. Before the Mountain Gate hangs a stone plaque inscribed with “Shaolin Temple” by Emperor Qianlong in vigorous calligraphy. The Thousand Buddha Hall (also known as Vairocana Pavilion) is the largest Buddhist hall in the temple. Its three walls feature the famous “Five Hundred Arhats Worshipping Vairocana” murals covering over 300 square meters—a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty mural art. The floor bears forty-eight depressions about 20 centimeters deep, said to have been stamped into the ground by generations of warrior monks during training—a truly astonishing sight. The Mahavira Hall enshrines statues of Sakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru, and Amitabha Buddha, flanked by Eighteen Arhats of exquisite craftsmanship. The Sutra Library preserves a large collection of Buddhist scriptures and martial arts treatises, including precious Song and Yuan Dynasty editions.

The Pagoda Forest is the cemetery of successive abbots and eminent monks of the Shaolin Temple, with 228 brick and stone pagodas surviving from the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties—the largest and most numerous collection of ancient memorial pagodas in China. Each pagoda varies in form, size, and carving, reflecting the architectural and artistic styles of different eras. The oldest is the Tang Dynasty Fawan Pagoda, and the most exquisite is the Song Dynasty Putong Pagoda. Strolling through the Pagoda Forest, over two millennia of Buddhist heritage unfolds like a scroll, inspiring deep reverence for the Shaolin Temple's profound historical legacy. Chuzu An, located about one kilometer northwest of the Shaolin Temple, is a small temple built in memory of Bodhidharma, with exquisitely carved Song Dynasty stone pillars praised by Liang Sicheng as “the finest example of Song Dynasty wooden-style architecture.” Damo Cave, situated halfway up Wuru Peak, is where Bodhidharma meditated for nine years. Traces of his meditation silhouette can still be seen on the cave's stone walls today. It takes about 40 minutes to walk up from the mountain base.

Practical Info: Shaolin Temple admission is ¥80 (martial arts performance not included; separate performance tickets are about ¥60). Open 7:30 AM–6:00 PM. Take Bus 2 or 8 from downtown Dengfeng directly to the temple (~30 minutes). From Zhengzhou, take an intercity bus to Dengfeng then transfer to a scenic area bus (total ~1.5 hours). Martial arts performances are held daily at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM—arrive early for a good seat. Allow half a day to a full day for your visit.

Visit the Official Shaolin Temple Website →

Mount Song Scenic Area

Mount Song is the “Central Peak” of China's Five Great Mountains, located in Dengfeng, Henan Province. Composed of two main peaks—Taishi Mountain and Shaoshi Mountain—it covers approximately 450 square kilometers, with the main peak Junji at 1,491 meters. Revered since ancient times as the “Center of Heaven and Earth,” it is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. King Wu of Zhou performed sacrifices to heaven and earth here, and Emperor Wu of Han ascended Mount Song and established the Songgao Mountain Shrine. Mount Song is also a sacred Taoist and Confucian site, with over thirty emperors visiting throughout history to perform imperial sacrifices. In 2004, UNESCO designated Mount Song as a Global Geopark, renowned for its 3.6 billion years of geological evolution and its unique “five generations coexisting” stratigraphic structure. It is a rare world-class scenic area combining spectacular natural beauty with profound cultural heritage.

Taishi Mountain, the eastern peak of Mount Song, is celebrated for its grand, majestic scenery. Its main peak, Junji Peak, stands at 1,491 meters. The ascent to Junji Peak is Mount Song's most classic hiking route, taking about 4–5 hours round trip. Starting from the trailhead at Songyang Academy, you'll pass Laomu Cave, Junji Palace, and Zhongyue Rest Palace along the way. The trail consists mainly of stone steps, with some steep sections. From the summit, the views are breathtaking—you can overlook the entire Mount Song range and Dengfeng city, and on clear days even glimpse the Yellow River in the distance. Taishi Mountain's natural highlights include its spectacular peaks and ancient trees. The Han Dynasty cypresses in front of Songyang Academy are approximately 4,500 years old and claimed to be the “Number One Cypress Under Heaven.” Sanhuangkou is a natural viewing platform on Taishi Mountain where you can feel the mountain's awe-inspiring grandeur from the cliff edge. The autumn foliage on Taishi Mountain is a major attraction—from late October, the mountains are ablaze with red leaves that contrast beautifully with dark pines and green bamboo.

Shaoshi Mountain, the western peak, is renowned for its dramatic peaks, steep gorges, and Shaolin culture. Sanhuangzhai is the most spectacular area of Shaoshi Mountain, famous for its “Sanhuang Cliffside Walkway.” Built on cliffs over 1,000 meters above sea level, the walkway stretches about 2 kilometers, with sections suspended beyond the cliff face overlooking dizzying depths—both thrilling and exhilarating. Sanhuangzhai also features Mount Song's most spectacular geological cross-section, clearly displaying 2.5 billion years of crustal movement—hailed by geologists as a “geological encyclopedia.” Peaks like Liantian Peak and Zixiao Peak rise sharply like blades, appearing and disappearing in swirling mist like a fairyland. Shuce Cliff (Book Page Cliff) is Shaoshi Mountain's signature geological formation, where layered rock faces resemble giant open books recording billions of years of Earth's evolution. Mount Song offers different charms in every season: wildflowers in spring, lush canopy in summer, brilliant fall foliage in autumn, and picturesque snowscapes in winter. The mountain also has numerous waterfalls and springs, with Luya Waterfall being the largest waterfall cluster on Mount Song—during the wet season, torrents of water cascade down with a roar that shakes the valley.

Practical Info: Mount Song scenic area is divided into the Shaolin Scenic Area (¥80) and Songyang Scenic Area (¥50), sold separately. The Junji Peak trail is open all day; start before 7:00 AM to avoid possible afternoon thunderstorms. The Sanhuangzhai Cliffside Walkway requires good physical fitness; those with a fear of heights should choose carefully. Public buses from downtown Dengfeng go directly to each scenic area entrance. Plan 2–3 days for an in-depth exploration of Mount Song. Simple dining options are available on the mountain, but bringing your own food and water is recommended. Trekking poles are advisable as some sections of steps are quite steep.

Zhongyue Temple

Zhongyue Temple is located four kilometers east of Dengfeng city at the southern foot of Mount Song, beneath Huanggai Peak. It is one of the most important Taoist temples in China and the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in Henan Province. The temple's origins date to the Taishi Shrine built during the Qin Dynasty, and it was significantly expanded in the first year of the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Wu of Han (110 BC). It was renovated and expanded by successive dynasties, with the current buildings primarily dating from the Ming and Qing periods. Covering approximately 110,000 square meters, the temple stretches 650 meters along its central axis with over 400 halls and pavilions. Its scale is second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing's Forbidden City, earning it the nickname “Little Forbidden City.” Zhongyue Temple was the site where successive emperors performed sacrifices to the spirit of Mount Song, and along with the temples of the other Four Sacred Mountains (East Mount Tai, West Mount Hua, South Mount Heng, and North Mount Heng), it forms the Five Sacred Mountain Temples of China. Among them, Zhongyue Temple is the best preserved.

The architectural layout of Zhongyue Temple strictly follows ancient Chinese palace construction principles. Along the central axis from south to north, the buildings include the Zhonghua Gate, Yaocan Pavilion, Tianzhong Pavilion, Peitian Zuozhen Archway, Chongsheng Gate, Huasan Gate, Junji Gate, Main Hall, Rest Palace, and Imperial Library. The Zhonghua Gate is the main entrance, flanked by a pair of Ming Dynasty cast-iron lions, imposing and solemn. The Tianzhong Pavilion is the temple's landmark building—three bays wide with a double-eave hip roof, it is grand and magnificent, bearing the inscription “Tianzhong Pavilion” (Pavilion of the Center of Heaven), symbolizing Mount Song's position at the center of the world. The Main Hall is the temple's core structure—nine bays wide and five bays deep with a double-eave hip roof topped with yellow glazed tiles of the highest imperial grade. Inside, a statue of the Lord of the Central Peak is enshrined, flanked by Four Great Marshals and guard statues. The ceiling paintings and beam-column decorations are beautifully preserved, with vibrant colors and exquisite craftsmanship representing the finest of Qing Dynasty official decorative painting. The temple also preserves numerous precious stone steles and cultural relics, the most famous being the Wei Dynasty calligraphic masterpiece “Stele of the Lingmiao Temple of Mount Songgao.”

Zhongyue Temple is not only a Taoist sanctuary but also an important carrier of Dengfeng's folk culture. During the annual temple fairs on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month and the 10th day of the 10th lunar month, pilgrims and tourists from Henan, Shandong, Hebei, and beyond flock to the temple in enormous numbers. The fairs feature Taoist ceremonies, folk art performances, and local specialty food stalls—a wonderful opportunity to experience Central Plains folk culture. The ancient trees at Zhongyue Temple are another highlight: hundreds of cypresses and locust trees over a century old grow within the grounds, with the two oldest—Han Dynasty cypresses over 2,000 years old—their gnarled, twisting trunks bearing witness to countless chapters of history. Behind the temple, Huanggai Peak offers a panoramic view of the entire Zhongyue Temple complex, with its terraced halls gleaming magnificently in the sunlight. Zhongyue Temple also houses the Dengfeng Folk Customs Museum, displaying artifacts and exhibits related to the folk culture of the Mount Song region—a great way to gain deeper insight into Dengfeng's history and traditions.

Practical Info: Zhongyue Temple admission is ¥30, open 8:00 AM–5:30 PM. Take Bus 1 or 2 from downtown Dengfeng (~15 minutes). Allow 2–3 hours for your visit. Free guided tours by Taoist priests and volunteers are available at scheduled times. During temple fairs, ticket prices remain the same but expect large crowds—visiting at off-peak times is recommended. Photography is allowed inside but flash is prohibited.

Songyang Academy

Songyang Academy is located at the southern foot of Taishi Mountain in Dengfeng. One of the Four Great Academies of ancient China, it ranks alongside Yingtian Academy in Henan, Yuelu Academy in Hunan, and White Deer Cave Academy in Jiangxi. Founded in the 8th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (484 AD), it was originally called Songyang Temple, a Buddhist monastery. During the Sui and Tang dynasties it was converted to a Taoist temple, and in the Later Zhou of the Five Dynasties period it was rebuilt as Taiyi Academy. In the 2nd year of the Jingyou era of the Northern Song (1035 AD), it was renamed Songyang Academy and became a prestigious Confucian institution of higher learning. At its peak, the academy gathered the era's finest scholars and students, with a collection exceeding 10,000 volumes. Renowned scholars including Fan Zhongyan, Sima Guang, Cheng Hao, and Cheng Yi taught or studied here. The Cheng brothers' Neo-Confucian philosophy was founded and propagated here, exerting a profound and lasting influence on subsequent Chinese philosophy and education. Songyang Academy is one of the important birthplaces of Song Dynasty Neo-Confucianism, holding a pivotal position in Chinese intellectual and educational history.

The surviving buildings of Songyang Academy primarily preserve the layout and style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, covering approximately 9,000 square meters. Along the central axis, the structures include the Main Gate, Hall of the Sage, Lecture Hall, Dao Tradition Shrine, and Library. A plaque inscribed with “Songyang Academy” by Emperor Qianlong hangs above the Main Gate. The Hall of the Sage enshrines memorial tablets of Confucius, the Four Associates, and the Twelve Philosophers. The Lecture Hall was the academy's core teaching space—three bays wide and two bays deep—housing displays of ancient teaching tools and stone inscriptions of academy regulations. The most striking features in the Lecture Hall are two large stone steles embedded in the walls: one is the “Stele Commemorating the Sacred Virtues of the Great Tang Songyang Observatory” inscribed by Xu Hao of the Tang Dynasty, about 9 meters tall and 2 meters wide—the largest stele in the Mount Song area, known as the “Great Tang Stele”; the other is the “Stele Record of Songyang Academy” from the Northern Song, documenting the academy's historical evolution. The Dao Tradition Shrine honors memorial tablets of sages who made major contributions to the Confucian scholarly tradition, and the Library displays documents and artifacts related to the academy's history.

Songyang Academy's most celebrated natural features are the two Han Dynasty cypresses within its grounds. According to legend, these cypresses were conferred titles by Emperor Wu of Han when he visited Mount Song in 110 BC, making them over 2,100 years old. The “Great General Cypress” stands about 12 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 6 meters, its gnarled trunk and lush canopy providing deep shade. The “Second General Cypress” is even more massive, with a circumference of nearly 13 meters. Legend has it that Emperor Wu encountered this tree first and intended to name it “Great General,” but because it was actually larger than the cypress he had already so designated, he awkwardly demoted it to “Second General”—and the tree, “aggrieved” by this slight, split down the middle, forming a huge hollow large enough for a person to walk through. Despite over two millennia of wind and weather, both cypresses remain vigorous and lush—living fossils among China's ancient trees. In 2002, the Songyang Academy Han Cypresses were listed as protected “Ancient and Notable Trees.” The General Cypress Garden behind the academy offers a tranquil setting for rest and reflection. Today, Songyang Academy also regularly hosts traditional cultural events including lectures on Chinese classics, coming-of-age ceremonies, and first-writing ceremonies, continuing the millennium-old educational mission of this historic academy.

Practical Info: Songyang Academy admission is ¥30, open 8:00 AM–5:30 PM (closed Mondays). Take Bus 1, 2, or 6 from downtown Dengfeng (~10 minutes). Allow 2–3 hours for your visit. Free scheduled guided tours are available. The academy is right next to the Mount Song trailhead, making it convenient to combine Songyang Academy with a Taishi Mountain hike on the same day.