The Splendid Scenery and Hidden Wonders of Mount Hengshan, Northern Peak

Geographical Location Mount Hengshan is located south of Hunyuan County in Datong City, Shanxi Province, situated in the northern section of the Taihang Mountains, about 62 kilometers from Datong city center. As the Northern Peak of the Five Great Mountains of China, Hengshan has long been a sacred site for Taoism and a strategic military location. Its unique geographical position forms a natural barrier that is "steep and majestic." It can be reached from Datong via the Rongwu Expressway or by taking a high-speed train to Datong South Station followed by a tourist shuttle, with transportation convenience continually improving. Natural Scenery The main peak of Hengshan, Tianfengling, stands at an elevation of 2016.1 meters, and the entire mountain range consists of 108 continuous peaks. The most famous site is the Hanging Temple, built on the sheer cliff of Cuiping Peak, about 60 meters above the valley floor. It uses mortise and tenon joints embedded into the mountain body, with forty halls connected by suspended plank walkways. When climbing, visitors will notice that the temple’s supporting pillars can actually sway; the true load-bearing elements are the beams deeply embedded into the rock face, making it a marvel of ancient Chinese architecture. Religious Architecture Complex The Heng Palace complex is built along the mountain’s terrain and includes Ming and Qing dynasty buildings such as the Main Hall, Huixian Mansion, and Jiutian Palace. The 103 stone steps leading to the Main Hall are each only wide enough for half a foot, requiring visitors to hold onto chains while ascending. Inside the hall are Yuan dynasty murals titled "Chaoyuan Tu," depicting 270 immortals paying homage to the Primordial Supreme Being. Particularly notable is the Qinglong Baihu Hall in front of Jiutian Palace, where Ming dynasty colored sculptures remain vividly painted, and the twenty-eight lunar mansions’ statues each display unique expressions. Hiking Experience There are two classic routes from the Hengshan mountain gate to the main peak: the front mountain trail passes through scenic spots like Guolaoling and Hufengkou, where you can see pine and cypress trees and strange rocks along the way; the back mountain cableway goes directly to the summit, saving physical effort. It is recommended to hike early in the morning for a chance to witness the spectacular "Hengshan Sea of Clouds." At the rest platform halfway up, visitors can taste the local specialty Hunyuan cold noodles, made with Hengshan spring water, refreshing and revitalizing. Cultural Heritage Mount Hengshan preserves numerous cliff inscriptions, including Tang Emperor Xuanzong’s calligraphy "Taishan Pingfan" and Ming Emperor Taizu’s inscription "The First Mountain Beyond the Great Wall." Under the ancient pine tree at Huixian Mansion, one can find a stone chessboard carved by ancients, said to be the site where Zhang Guolao and Lü Dongbin played chess. Every year on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, the Hengshan temple fair features traditional folk performances and Taoist sacrificial ceremonies. Overall Evaluation A trip to Mount Hengshan offers the chance to appreciate the magnificent natural beauty described as "dangerous peaks surpassing the autumn geese, endless yellow sand scattering in the sunset," as well as to experience the cultural atmosphere of "suspended halls in the air, ethereal traces of immortals." Its unique basalt landforms perfectly blend with Taoist architecture, making it a rare sacred place to explore Chinese mountain and water culture and religious art. It is recommended to allocate 1-2 days to combine visits to the Hanging Temple and the ancient city of Hunyuan at the mountain’s base.