Meiling National Forest Park (梅岭国家森林公园), situated in the northwest suburbs of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, is a location of both historical and cultural significance. Originally known as Feihong Mountain, the area was established as a postal route during the early Han Dynasty. In response to Wang Mang’s usurpation in the late Western Han Dynasty, the county official Mei Fu retreated to Feihong Mountain. In honor of his integrity, locals constructed the Meixian Altar on the ridge and Meixian Temple at the base, renaming the area Meiling.
The park is celebrated for its diverse attractions. It includes the Xiyao Lake Resort Area, one of China’s top summer retreats, offering a cool escape from the heat. The Tianning Ancient Temple, a prominent nunneries in Jiangnan, adds historical depth to the park. Hongya Danjing, a site where the founder of Chinese music, Ling Lun, is believed to have practiced, is one of the ten scenic spots of ancient Nanchang.
Other highlights of Meiling include the Huanggu Tomb, the largest surface royal tomb in Jiangxi, and the majestic thousand-year-old ginkgo trees that grace the park. The Shenlongtan Waterfall is another stunning feature, renowned for its grandeur. Additionally, the park hosts the China-Japan Friendship Forest, Lin Biao Villa, Ziyang Palace, Hongya Calligraphy and Painting Institute, Miaoji Bridge, Fang Zhimin Martyrs’ Tomb, Hunyuan Mountain Villa, and Lion Peak. These attractions combine to offer a rich experience of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance.
Table of Contents
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | Lion Peak: 40 RMB Dragon Pond: 30 RMB Hongya Danjing: 30 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0791-83760011 |
Location and Transportation
Meiling National Forest Park is located in the northwest suburbs of Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, close to Anyi Ancient Village, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
- Meiling Ecological Drift Scenic Area: From Nanchang city center, take Bus 219 to the “Jinggangshan” stop in Wanli. Transfer to Bus 112 and alight at the Dianqian stop. It’s a short walk to the Meiling Ecological Drift Scenic Area.
- Changchun Lake, Xingfu Reservoir, and Tianning Ancient Temple Scenic Area: Take Bus 222 from Bayi Bridge at the Wanli Shooting Center to reach this area.
- Ziqing Mountain, Hongya Danjing, and Cuiyan Zen Temple Scenic Area: Board the long-distance Bus 219 at the train station for direct access to these sites.
- Lion Peak and Meiling Main Peak Scenic Area: You can take Bus 112 from Wanli for direct access or take Bus 240 (long-distance) from the Economic Development Zone to the base of Meiling, then transfer to a minibus to reach the peak.
- Ziyang Palace and Meiling Drift Scenic Area: Take Bus 112 from Wanli and alight at Dianqian. Then, take a minibus to your destination. Alternatively, you can take Bus 510 directly from Wanli (note: Bus 510 operates three times a day: morning, noon, and evening).
- Shenlongtan Scenic Area: For Xiyao Lake, take Bus 112 from Wanli to Taiping and then transfer to a minibus to reach the scenic area.
Highlights of Meiling National Forest Park
Meiling Main Peak Scenic Area
The Meiling Main Peak Scenic Area is renowned for its diverse natural wonders, including famous mountains, unique rock formations, serene valleys, waterfalls, lakes, sea of clouds, sunrises, and frost phenomena such as rime ice, rain frost, and snow frost. The area features a layout divided into two major sections, north and south, connected by various points of interest. These include the Tianqi Scenic Spot, the Main Peak, Shijian Peak, Meifu’s Immortality Spot, the Octagonal Viewing Pavilion, the Couples’ Area, Wolong Valley, and Wolong Pond. The walking trails and roads within the park loop around, covering a total of approximately 18 kilometers.
Lion Peak Scenic Area
The Lion Peak Scenic Area encompasses Lion Peak, Panxi Lake, and Wangshi Gorge. Despite its modest elevation of just 260 meters, Lion Peak is renowned for its rugged and dramatic terrain, rivaling the famed Yellow Mountains with its sheer cliffs and bizarre rock formations. The Feilai Peak is particularly striking, showcasing the most spectacular granite rock formations, reflecting the mountain’s large-scale geological processes.
Hongya Danjing Scenic Area
This area includes significant cultural sites and scenic spots such as the birthplace of classical Chinese music and dance, and the renowned Hongya Danjing, one of the top ten scenic spots in ancient and modern Nanchang. It features famous cultural landmarks like Hunyuan Mountain Villa and the Music God Palace. The area also includes beautiful spots like Xianle Stream, Tanyin Stream, Baile Stream, Jade Flute Lake, and Jade Qilin Lake. Entertainment facilities in the park include a water swing bridge, a floating bridge, a cliff crossing, a forest swing, and a rolling drum.
Changchun Lake Scenic Area
The Changchun Lake Scenic Area is made up of Qingfeng Pool, Peach Blossom Creek, Songxue Gorge, and Yinyue Pond. A unique feature of this area is the mountain grass sliding, located just above the Zhenjun Locking Jiao. Changchun Lake, situated in the western suburbs of Nanchang, is a sacred site for both Buddhism and Taoism, with up to 136 temples and altars in its history. The lake is surrounded by over a hundred distinctive peaks, including the serene bamboo groves of Meiling, the treacherous climbs of Lion Peak, the picturesque beauty of Ziyang Mountain, and the ideal vantage points of Luohan Ridge. The area is also known for its ancient and famous trees, including the unique “Potted Camphor,” “Rock Orchid,” and “Tree Grown Bamboo.”
