Qiyun Mountain（齐云山）Travel Guide
Nov 12, 2024
by orient china travel
Qiyun Mountain Travel Guide for Foreigners
Location and General Introduction
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="645px" width="957px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
- Location: Qiyun Mountain is located in Xiuning County, Anhui Province. It is at the foot of the Huangshan Mountains, about 33 kilometers west of Huangshan City (Tunxi).
- Meaning of the Name: Translated as "As-high-as-the-Cloud Mountain", its peak seems to reach into the clouds, giving the mountain its name13.
- Fame and Reputation: Qiyun Mountain, along with the Yellow Mountain and Jiuhua Mountain, is renowned as one of the "Three Famous Mountains in Southern Anhui". Over 500 years ago, a Chinese emperor praised it as the first mountain south of the Yangtze River. And since 1,300 years ago, it has been selected as one of the "Four Taoism Holy Lands" in China13.
Scenic Spots
- Major Scenic Areas:
- Yuehua Street: This was once a place for Taoists to practice martial arts and make immortality pills. There used to be many magnificent Taoist shrines and buildings here, and although most were damaged over time, 8 temples have been well-preserved, and several others have been rebuilt, such as the Yuxu Temple and the Zhenxu Hall5.
- Yunyan Lake: A beautiful lake that adds to the charm of the mountain scenery, with clear water and surrounding natural landscapes creating a serene and picturesque view.
- Longshanglou: It offers a unique perspective of the mountain, allowing visitors to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Qiyun Mountain.
- Other Attractions:
- Dengfeng Bridge: Leading to the mountain passage, this bridge is said to bring good luck and longevity. There is a story behind its name. Long ago, a local governor who built bridges for the people won their respect and love. Just as the bridge was about to be named, an imperial edict came announcing the governor's promotion. Thus, the bridge was named "Dengfeng", which means "being promoted"135.
- Fascinating Places and Happy Lands:
- Three Cliff Inscriptions: There are inscriptions on the Qizhen Cliff, the Zhonglie Cliff, and the Shouzi Cliff. The Qizhen Cliff is said to be the cultivation place of the Qixia Immortal in the Tang Dynasty; the Zhonglie Cliff was a place to fete the Guan Gong Immortal; and on the Shouzi Cliff, there is a huge character "shou" (meaning longevity) engraved, which is said to be the handwriting of Dowager Empress Cixi of the Qing Dynasty and has a diameter of up to 230 centimeters.
- Caves of Fairies and Immortals: Under the cliffs, there are many caves used to enshrine various statutes of immortals, such as the Eight-Immortal Cave, the Yuantong Cave, the Arhat Cave, the Yujun Cave, and the Wenchang Cave.
- Heaven Gates: After passing the Shouzi Cliff, there is a capacious stone cave that is completely formed by nature, known as the No.1 Heaven Gate. There are many stone inscriptions and tablets in the cave, which are called the Baiyue Stele Forest.
Cultural Features
- Taoism Culture: As one of the important Taoism holy lands, Qiyun Mountain is deeply influenced by Taoism culture. There are many Taoist temples and related cultural relics and historical sites on the mountain, which reflect the long history and profound connotation of Taoism culture.
- Stone Carvings and Inscriptions: Stone carving is a distinctive feature of Qiyun Mountain. There are many stone inscriptions and carvings on the cliffs and in the caves, which are not only valuable cultural heritages but also an important part of the mountain's artistic landscape5.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Qiyun Mountain throughout the year. Spring and autumn are relatively more comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures and beautiful scenery. In summer, you can enjoy the coolness brought by the mountain forest. Winter has a special charm with the mountain covered in snow (if there is snow).
You can visit Qiyun Mountain throughout the year. Spring and autumn are relatively more comfortable seasons, with mild temperatures and beautiful scenery. In summer, you can enjoy the coolness brought by the mountain forest. Winter has a special charm with the mountain covered in snow (if there is snow).
Practical Information
- Opening Hours: The mountain is open from 8:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and from 7:30 to 17:30 on weekends and holidays7.
- Ticket Price: The regular ticket price for Qiyun Mountain is 75 yuan per person in the peak season and 55 yuan per person in the off-season (January, February, and December are the off-seasons). There are also half-price tickets for certain groups, such as children between 6 (excluding) and 18 (including) years old, full-time university undergraduates and below with valid ID cards, and citizens of Huangshan City (including three districts and four counties) can enjoy half-price tickets (38 yuan per person) throughout the year with valid ID cards. Some groups, such as children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters in height, the elderly in the province, active military personnel, the disabled (by category), and those with a retirement certificate issued by the State Council, are exempt from the admission ticket.
- Transportation: You can take a bus or drive to Qiyun Mountain. If you are in Huangshan City, it is relatively convenient to travel by public transportation or rent a car.