Little South Sea Scenic Area, Anyang – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

Located at the foot of Mount Niutou on the northern side of Little South Sea, Nanhai Ancient Temple dates back to the Tang Dynasty and serves as a Taoist sanctuary. Its architectural layout includes the Mountain Gate, Lingguan Hall, Buddha Hall, Bixia Pavilion, Shengren Pavilion, and Daoist House, all arranged in a majestic manner. The temple features traditional gray brick and tile structures, with the Daoist House exuding an ancient simplicity. Surrounded by verdant cypress trees and colorful flowers, the temple compound offers a serene atmosphere. The Shengren Pavilion, with its square plan and intricate architectural details, houses a statue of Confucius on the upper level. The Bixia Pavilion, standing at 10 meters tall with two stories, showcases exquisite green glazed tiles on its roof. Visitors can ascend stone steps to admire the panoramic view of the distant mountains and waters from its summit.

Situated in the Baiyu Valley on the western side of the Little South Sea Scenic Area, Changchun Taoist Temple was established during the Tang Dynasty and later renamed in the Yuan Dynasty. The temple complex includes the Mountain Gate, Taoist Theater, Small Square, Jade Spring Holy Water, Lingguan Hall, Wealth God Hall, Guanyin Hall, Qiu Ancestor Cave, Jade Emperor Hall, and the Three Skies Hall and Three Purities Hall on both sides, all displaying grandeur and elegance. The Jade Spring water, rich in minerals and renowned throughout northern Henan Province, flows in abundance. Near the northeast side of Changchun Taoist Temple, on the eastern foothills, lies the ancient human dwelling known as the Primitive People’s Cave. Despite being excavated twice by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Archaeology, remnants such as fossilized animal bones of the latest leopards, ash, spotted deer, antelope, wild boar, water buffalo, and wild donkey, as well as stone tools, still remain. After approximately 12,000 years of human occupation, the cave was abandoned due to continuous rockfalls from its ceiling.

Situated at the southern foothills of Mount Guigai on the northern side of Little South Sea, three Northern Qi Grottoes remain. The West Cave’s entrance is adorned with carvings of lotus flowers, green dragons, golden-winged birds, and human figures with tiger heads. Inside, there are bas-reliefs of seated Buddhas, disciples, and standing Bodhisattvas. On the outside, there are 40 finely carved statues of donors on the southern side. The Central Cave’s entrance features carvings of lotus flowers, green dragons, golden-winged birds, and guardian deities. Inside, there are bas-reliefs of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and disciples, while the walls are adorned with numerous shallow carvings depicting Buddhist stories. On the eastern side of the north wall, there are shallow carvings of prominent figures from the Northern Qi Dynasty, including the Buddhist national master, the founder of Shaolin martial arts, and the famous monk Chou. The West Cave features carvings of Buddhas, disciples, Bodhisattvas, and celestial beings. On the western side of the exterior, there are exquisitely carved bodhi trees and various-sized Buddha niches. The craftsmanship and rich ornamentation of these three caves represent the pinnacle of Northern Qi Buddhist art and are designated as key cultural heritage sites under national protection.

Taihang Ridge Scenic Area

Red Flag Canal

Taihang Grand Canyon