Lushan
Lushan National Park is a famous tourist destination both in China and abroad due to its impressive natural beauty and unique position in Chinese cultural traditions. Most Chinese people are familiar with Lushan since numerous poems and idioms are related with Lushan and become a part of their childhood memories. One of the most popular poems is “Overlook at Lushan Fall”, which is written by the accomplished poet Li Bai in Tang Dynasty. Lushan also witnesses the changing political situation in modern China, and many events influencing Chinese history are set in Lushan.
Situated in the northern part of Jiangxi Province, Lushan is encircled by the Yangtze River in the south, the Tengwang Pavilion in the north, the Poyang Lake in the west, which is the largest freshwater lake in China.
Famous Tourist Attractions
There are 12 main scenic areas, 37 attractions, over 900 cliff inscriptions, and over 300 steles in Lushan. The following attractions are very popular with tourists visiting Lushan: the Immortal Caverns, Three Tiled Springs, White Deer Cavern Academy, Meilu Outhouse, Five Old Man Peaks, Lushan Hot Springs. Five Old Man Peaks is 1436 meters high above sea level. Standing on the top of it, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the distant mountains, trees, lakes, and a seemingly endless sky. Among the numerous Lushan waterfalls, Three Tiled Springs enjoys the highest reputation. Situated in a deep gully, it drops with a fall of 155 meters, forming three levels. This is considered to be the best of the Lushan waterfalls.
Rich Historical and Cultural Heritage
During the past two millennia, Lushan has attracted numerous scholars, artists, poets and even politicians due to its striking natural beauty. It is home to Taoism and Buddhism architectures and landmarks, implying its significance as one of the spiritual centres of Chinese civilization.
The cultural relics in Lushan can be divided into four categories: archaeological sites, inscriptions, historic buildings, and Chinese and foreign villas. The residences of distinguished essayist and poet Tao Yuan-Ming is one of most well-known archaeological sites. More than 900 inscriptions on cliffs and stone tablets can be found in Lushan, including the calligraphy of Tao Yuan-Ming, Huang Ting-Jian, Mi Fu and Zhu Xi.
Lushan becomes a popular and fashionable holiday resort at the turn of 20th century. Many renowned figures from China and abroad used to build stylized villas. Meilu Villa is one of the most famous ones. It belonged to Chiang Kai-shek and his wife during his reign of China in the first half of 20th century. These villas are in distinctive style, demonstrating a combination of Eastern and Western architectural philosophy. More than 600 villas are preserved until the present. They become popular with visitors due to their art of architecture and unique history.
Lushan is known for its grandeur, steepness, and beauty. Lushan National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is one of the favourite places for tourists during summer.