Yuelu Mountain – The Foot of Mount Heng

Aiwan Pavilion, originally built in 1792 during the 57th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty, was founded by Luo Dian, the head of Yuelu Academy. It is recognized as one of China’s “Four Great Pavilions,” alongside Zuiweng Pavilion in Anhui (built in 1046), Huxin Pavilion in Hangzhou’s West Lake (built in 1552), and Taoran Pavilion in Beijing (built in 1695). The pavilion has undergone several restorations, including during the reigns of Emperors Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Xuantong in the Qing Dynasty. In his youth, Mao Zedong, while studying at the First Normal School, frequently visited Yuelu Academy and met with friends like Luo Xuezan and Zhang Kundi at Aiwan Pavilion, where they discussed current affairs and sought truth. Due to this connection, when the pavilion was restored in 1952, Li Da, the president of Hunan University, requested Mao Zedong to inscribe the name of the pavilion, a request he happily accepted. Aiwan Pavilion has gained international recognition, and a replica was built in Kagoshima, Japan, after Changsha and Kagoshima became sister cities, symbolizing the enduring friendship between China and Japan.

Yuelu Academy, one of China’s “Four Great Academies,” alongside Bailudong Academy, Songyang Academy, and Yingtian Academy, is the best-preserved ancient academy in China. It was officially established in 976 AD during the 9th year of the Kaibao reign in the Northern Song Dynasty by Zhu Dong, the prefect of Tanzhou, on the foundation of a school run by monks. Over the centuries, it evolved through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. In 1903, during the late Qing Dynasty, Yuelu Academy was transformed into Hunan Higher School, and later became Hunan Higher Normal School and Hunan Industrial College. In 1926, it was officially named Hunan University. For over a thousand years, the academy has maintained its tradition of education, earning it the title of a “Thousand-Year Academy.”

Yuelu Academy covers an area of 21,000 square meters, with most of its existing structures dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The academy not only showcases the grandeur of ancient Chinese architecture but also houses a significant collection of steles and plaques, making it renowned worldwide.

Ancient Lushan Temple, also known as Yuelu Temple, Huiguang Temple, Lu Yuan, and Wanshou Temple, is located on Bixiu Mountain in Yuelu Mountain, on the west bank of the Xiang River in Changsha, Hunan Province. It is one of the oldest temples in Hunan, established during the early Jin Dynasty, marking the introduction of Buddhism into the region. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Wanshou Temple and later reverted to its original name in the early Republic of China. The famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu praised its grandeur with the lines, “The temple gate opens wide to Dongting’s wilds, while the hall’s feet pierce into Chisha Lake.”

Unfortunately, the main structures, including the Mahavira Hall, were destroyed in an air raid in 1944, leaving only the mountain gate and Guanyin Pavilion, which have since been restored. The Guanyin Pavilion is constructed of brick and wood and underwent renovations in 1955 and again in 1980 to restore its original appearance. A statue of Guanyin has been placed in the hall’s shrine, and the temple regularly hosts small exhibitions of calligraphy and painting.

Yunlu Palace is located at the summit of Yuelu Mountain and is recognized as the 23rd cave of Taoism. It was first built in 1478 during the Ming Dynasty. Renovations were led by Sun Fu, the prefect of Changsha, and Daoist priest Li Kejing during the Jiajing period (1522–1566). In 1572, Zhang Dianyuan undertook further repairs. The palace originally included the Heguang Emperor Hall, Xuanwu Ancestor Hall, and Three Pure Ones Hall, but it was destroyed during the late Ming Dynasty wars. The Ancestor Hall was rebuilt in 1642, with additional restorations occurring in the Kangxi period (1665) and the Jiaqing period (1803).

In 1833, Governor Wu Rongguang and Governor Hui Feng oversaw the restoration of the front hall. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed again in 1852 during the Xianfeng period. In 1863, funding was raised by Daoist priest Xiang Jiaohui to rebuild it. The palace suffered significant damage during the Japanese invasion in the 1940s but was restored after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, thanks to the efforts of Daoist priests Wu Yunkai and Wu Haiming. The existing structures include the Lüzu Hall, Ancestor Hall, and Three Pure Ones Hall, with a white marble relief of the Lüzu deity displayed in Lüzu Hall. The palace was officially opened to the public in spring 1989.

Hunan University, often hailed as a “millennium academy and century-old prestigious school,” is not only a prominent institution of higher education in China but also a well-known tourist destination in Changsha. One of its most notable features is the Dongfanghong Square, which was constructed during the Cultural Revolution. The square was built out of admiration for Chairman Mao Zedong, and the university’s Fine Arts Department designed the statue of Mao that stands there. It is the only red square among all universities in Hunan Province.

Located at the foot of Baihe Spring, the Cai E Tomb is a large granite burial site. It features a broad base with a circular granite mound topped by a rectangular pointed stele, which has a bronze plaque inscribed with “Cai Gong Songpo’s Tomb” in large characters. The tomb is surrounded by a circular stone railing, featuring 24 blue stone tablets engraved with elegies and poems composed by various provincial governors, including Tan Yankai, Tang Jiyao, and Liu Xianshi. Since the Republic of China era, the people of Changsha have come to this site to pay their respects and lay flowers during the Qingming Festival and on the anniversaries of revolutionary martyrs, expressing their deep admiration and sorrow for the fallen heroes.

Located within the renowned Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area, Changsha’s Bird Language Forest covers an area of 40 acres. The park features nearly 200 rare bird species, totaling around 5,000 birds, including national first and second-class protected species such as the red-crowned crane, white crane, and golden pheasant. It also showcases exotic birds like macaws, black swans, pelicans, and flamingos. The bird park emphasizes landscape artistry and bird performances, integrating breeding, protection, observation, and educational outreach. As the only large bird-watching and bird performance park in Hunan Province, visitors can enjoy a vibrant natural environment, witness entertaining bird shows, and even experience the joy of feeding birds.

Originally known as “Baohuang Cave” before the Western Jin Dynasty, Python Cave has an intriguing legend. During the Song Dynasty (1008-1016 AD), a Taoist priest named Zhang Baohuang is said to have practiced his craft in the cave and ascended to immortality upon completing his alchemical transformation. After his ascension, a python is believed to have taken residence in the cave, which is how it got its current name. The cave became famous due to a mystical tale stating that the python would emerge every year on July 15th to wreak havoc, forming a bridge across the Xiang River with its tongue. Its eyes shone like lanterns, and it produced enchanting music. When a Taoist attempted to cross this “immortal bridge,” he vanished, falling victim to the python. The regional official, Tao Kan, suspecting witchcraft, shot an arrow at the mysterious light. The light extinguished, and the bridge disappeared. Subsequently, a search revealed a giant python slain in the cave. Grateful for Tao Kan’s bravery, the locals erected a platform in his honor, known as the “Python Shooting Platform.”