Things to do in Hengshan County
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Top 10 attractions in Hengshan County
Mount Hengshan
Located in Hengyang, Hunan Province, the Mount Heng Scenic Area includes the major attractions of Mount Heng and the Grand Temple of Mount Heng. The vegetation here is green and lush throughout the year, and there is a feeling of tranquility all around. Many temples dot the area, adding a pious tone to Mount Heng. The Grand Temple of Mount Heng at the foot of the mountain is an enormous group of ancient buildings in a palace style. It hosts a grand temple fair every year.Hengyang · 15.7 km from Hengshan County
Nanyue Grand Temple
The Grand Temple of Mount Heng is located at the foot of Mount Heng. It has an expansive, palace-style layout. The main hall is dedicated to Zhurong, the Chinese god of fire. Zhurong is believed to have held the governmental office of Minister of Fire under the Yellow Emperor, and was also in charge of southern affairs. He was given the title “Divine Emperor of Mount Heng.” The square in front of the temple is used for traditional performances and burning incense. According to legend, Zhurong was always considerate to the needs of his subjects. Due to his popularity, the temple is always full of incense offerings.Hengyang · 13.3 km from Hengshan County
Zhurong Peak
Zhurong Peak is the main peak of Mount Heng and one of the higher peaks among the 72, with an elevation of approx. 1,300 m. Zhurong Hall at the summit is the final destination for many pilgrims visiting Mount Heng. The history of the hall dates back to the Ming Dynasty, and the existing structure was rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. Due to the high altitude and strong winds, the hall is built with granite walls and iron roof tiles, standing firm against the wind and snow atop the giant rocks at the summit. Inside, it is dedicated to the Fire God Zhurong, with incense burning year-round. Many pilgrims climb to the summit just to offer incense and pray for blessings here. Behind the hall is the Moon-Watching Terrace, and ancient inscriptions such as "Tiangen Yueku" and "Yimu Qianli" are scattered among the rocks at the summit. Most tourists take a vehicle to Nantian Gate and then walk along the stone steps for approx. half an hour to reach the summit. Standing at the summit and looking around, you can see winding peaks and vast forests, and it is especially easy to encounter a surging sea of clouds when the weather clears after rain. Near the summit, next to Shangfeng Temple, is the Sunrise Observation Deck, which is the traditional spot for watching the sunrise on Mount Heng. People wait here before dawn, and on clear mornings, you might even encounter the "Buddha's light" spectacle. In winter, the mountain is often covered with rime hanging from the branches.Hengyang · 18.6 km from Hengshan County
Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area
Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area is located in the Xiyou Dongtian Scenic Area in Baiguo Town, Hengshan County. It has several typical Danxia caves. The scenic area combines myths and legends to recreate Journey to the West written by Wu Cheng'en, and reproduces wonderful set pieces from the book. The scenic area is composed of Huaguoshan stone carvings and beautiful monkey rocks making it an ideal place for reminiscing about one's childhood.Hengshan County · 27.7 km from downtown
Nanyueli
Nanyueli is located at the foot of Mount Heng in Hengyang, Hunan, and is a food and cultural block themed around "temple fair folk customs." It opened in the fall of 2024 and has now become a popular stop for many travelers after visiting Mount Heng. The block is centered on the "Nanyue Temple Fair" and is laid out with "one lake, one street, one island, one homestay, one tea house, one wild area, one theater, and one pier." Its imitation ancient architecture with flying eaves, along with rows of lanterns under the long corridors, captures the lively atmosphere of a temple fair within an approx. 800 m long old street. Hundreds of shops and stalls along the street feature specialty snacks, handicraft workshops, and intangible cultural heritage booths, where long queues for stinky tofu are the norm, and on the wooden stage at the crossroads, opera enthusiasts often perform to crowds of onlookers. Further in is the water alley, where small bridges and flowing water create a picturesque scene. At the end lies Jinyue Lake, which features a stage in the center. After nightfall, the lanterns light up one by one, and intangible cultural heritage performances like molten iron flower splashing and fire pot shows take turns on the lake. The molten iron is splashed into the night sky, turning into sparks that fill the air and pushing the nighttime atmosphere to a climax. Many travelers' itineraries involve hiking during the day and heading down to the block in the evening, just in time for the lights to come on. Those who enjoy photography can change into Hanfu and take pictures in the lantern corridor, on the water alley stone bridges, and at the lakeside pier. You can also take a cruise on the lake, which offers a different perspective for watching the performances.Hengyang · 13.7 km from Hengshan County
Hengshan Ferry Folk Culture Experience Site
Hengshan Ferry Folk Culture Experience Site is located on the banks of theXiangjiang Riverin Hengshan County. It is an immersive district that integrates ferry memories, local market life, and intangible cultural heritage, combining tourism, commerce, culture, and leisure, and is committed to becoming a new landmark for cultural tourism in Hengshan. In the Intangible Cultural Heritage Zone, intangible cultural heritage projects such as Hengshan shadow puppetry, Yuebei folk songs, and Huagu lanterns are showcased in a dynamic way. Visitors can personally experience interactive activities like shadow puppet painting, oil-paper umbrella making, and palm weaving. The Market Life Zone gathers over 100 types of Hengshan specialty snacks, such as Leisu tea, Xidu Bianba, and handmade fish balls, creating a one shop, one flavor Hunan-style culinary experience. The Ferry Memory Zone uses theXiangjiang Riveras a stage to present live water performances like "Echoes of the Ancient Ferry" and "Phantom Ferry Dreams," as well as large-scale fireworks shows. The district has launched a "1+N" all-day performance matrix, covering ancient street parades, intangible cultural heritage flash mobs, NPC interactions, and core nighttime shows, creating a dynamic cultural space where there are performances every day and something to see at any time.Hengshan County · 256m from downtown
Nanyue Jinyue Lake
Nanyue Jinyue Lake is located in the new district next to Nanyue District, Hengyang, and Mount Hengshan. Looking north towards Zhurong Peak, it is a waterfront leisure area centered on lake views, consisting of Jinyue Lake Park, artificial wetlands, and the Nanyueli cultural and tourism block. It was once a weed-covered wasteland, but now it features an expansive lake surface and continuous oases. Covered bridges, pavilions, and lakeside trails connect waterfront platforms and scenic features, making a stroll along the lake feel quite like a water town in Jiangnan. The lake's clear water has an ecological story behind it: water purified through layers of artificial wetlands is circulated back into the lake as landscape water, and the wetland itself has become a scenic spot in the lake area. A popular way to experience this place is "hiking the mountain by day, visiting the lake by evening." After touring the Nanyue Grand Temple and Nanyue Ancient Town area during the day, head to the lakeside in the evening to wait for the lights to come on at Nanyueli on the opposite bank—a food block themed around temple fair folk customs. Its horse-head walls, bluestone alleys, and strings of lanterns cast reflections onto the lake, making it a popular spot for Hanfu photography. After nightfall, there are often light shows on the lake, and intangible cultural heritage performances like molten iron flower splashing and fire pot shows take turns appearing against the backdrop of the mountain and water nightscape. Travelers looking for peace and quiet can take a walk along the lakeshore towards the wetland side, or sit by the lake and gaze at the silhouette of Zhurong Peak in the distance. The lake area is conveniently connected to hiking itineraries, making it suitable for travelers who don't want to hike Mount Hengshan at night but still want to see another side of Nanyue.Hengyang · 13.8 km from Hengshan County
City of Time 1944
Hengyang 1944 is not just a miniature "Little Shanghai," but a city of time and a performance park. Life is like a play, a journey to chase dreams. Here, you can travel through time, immerse yourself in a storyline, assume a new identity in a different world, and briefly experience another possibility of life. There are glamorous nights out, as well as simple rural pleasures. You'll find exquisite international cuisine alongside humble local dishes like congee and noodles. Browse vintage treasures at Nanshan Market or gather with friends for a cup of rustic tea at Tielu Gate. Watch shops, photo studios, barbershops, department stores, shoe-shine stands... In this city where time moves slowly, life doesn't need to be rushed. The mail arrives leisurely, and so does life itself.Hengyang · 12.4 km from Hengshan County
Wanshou Big Tripod
Wanshou Big Tripod is located on Jiahe Peak, one of the 72 peaks of Mount Heng. Jiahe Peak corresponds to the Zhen star of the 28 constellations in Chinese astronomy, and since Zhen governs longevity, the peak is also known as the "Peak of Longevity." Surrounded by mountains, Jiahe Peak attracts celestial cranes and boasts breathtaking natural beauty with lush greenery, fragrant flowers, and an air of mystical elegance.Wanshou Big TripodIt stands atop the very spot. On the day this cauldron was completed, flocks of cranes flew in from all directions, soaring and diving in the sky to create a spectacle rarely seen by mortals. Ascend toWanshou Big TripodThe panoramic view of Nanyue's stunning scenery is breathtaking and uplifting. This cauldron stands 9.9m tall, symbolizing the ultimate unity of China, and weighs 56 tons, representing the harmonious unity of 56 ethnic groups in revitalizing the nation. Built at the turn of the millennium, it bears 10,000 variations of the Chinese character "longevity" in different calligraphic styles from various dynasties, ethnic groups, and contemporary Chinese descendants worldwide, hence its name "Longevity Grand Tripod”. Wanshou Big TripodThis cauldron, one of the highlights of Mount Heng, is cast from tin bronze and embodies the essence of China's profound longevity culture spanning thousands of years. “Wanshou Big TripodThe completion of this project further solidifies Mount Nanyue's status as the "Sacred Mountain of Longevity in China," attracting numerous domestic and international visitors to pray for blessings, seek longevity, and worship while sightseeing.Hengyang · 13.3 km from Hengshan County
Nanyue Martyrs' Memorial Hall
The Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine, also known as the "Nanyue Hengshan Martyrs' Shrine," commemorates and buries Chinese soldiers who died on the main battlefields of the War of Resistance against Japan. Located near the "Yanshou Pavilion" at the foot of Xianglu Peak within the scenic area, it's about a one-hour walk from the main gate or a 10-minute shuttle bus ride. The shrine was completed on July 7, 1943, with a public memorial service held at the same time. The memorial hall was damaged by the Japanese army in 1944 and further severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution. The existing buildings were fully restored in 1992. The Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine is modeled after the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, consisting of a shrine and tombs. Along the central axis of the ancestral hall are the main buildings, including the Three-Arch Archway, the July 7th Memorial Tower, the Memorial Hall, the Memorial Pavilion, and the Ancestral Hall. When you arrive at the main gate of the Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Anti-Japanese War Martyrs Memorial Hall, you will see the five gilded characters "Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine," inscribed by Xue Yue, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Ninth War Zone. Passing through the main gate, you will see five cannonballs pointing straight to the blue sky—this is the July 7th Memorial Tower. The five cannonballs represent the unity of the Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, and other ethnic groups in their fight against the Japanese. In the Memorial Hall, you can see a 6-meter-high white marble stele, inscribed with Xue Yue's "Record of the Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Memorial Hall." The Memorial Pavilion in the Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Anti-Japanese War Martyrs Memorial Hall, officially named the "Anting Battle Memorial Pavilion," was built to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Battle of Anting during the Battle of Shanghai, a battle personally supervised by General Xue Yue. Inside the pavilion is a memorial stele inscribed with the words: "Visitors, please remove your hats in respect." After climbing more than two hundred steps, you will see the "Hall of Respect" with a gilded plaque reading "Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine Memorial Hall for the War of Resistance Against Japan." Inside the hall are stone tablets recording the life stories of 37 generals who fought against the Japanese. Behind the Hall stands a huge white marble stele with the inscription "General Shrine of the Fallen Soldiers in the War of Resistance Against Japan" in the center.Hengyang · 15.4 km from Hengshan County
Experiences you can't miss in Hengshan County
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Free things to do in Hengshan County
Hengshan Ferry Folk Culture Experience Site
Hengshan County · 256m from downtown
Zhurong Town
Hengyang · 12.7 km from Hengshan County
Orange Isle Scenic Area
China · Changsha
Hunan Museum
China · Changsha
Mount Yuelu
China · Changsha
Li Zijian Art Museum
Changsha · 99.2 km from Hengshan County
Dongzhou Isle
Hengyang · 46.3 km from Hengshan County
What travellers say about Hengshan County
_M1***00October 23, 2026
5.0
Hengshan Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful mountain under heaven. The entire hike, from top to bottom, took about seven hours with minimal stops except for taking photos. We happened to be there on a beautiful weekend, and the summit was packed with people, mostly those who had come by car. The Zhurong Temple was extremely popular with worshippers. It was definitely worth the trip.
Mount Hengshan
M22***03October 6, 2026
5.0
The Nanyue Grand Temple is wonderful! This place is one of the Five Sacred Mountains, and the Nanyue Grand Temple is located at the foot of Mount Heng. The incense here is particularly thriving, and there are incense vendors all over the foot of the mountain. I heard that this place is especially efficacious, and I will definitely make a special trip here next time!
Nanyue Grand Temple
不做牧云July 14, 2025
5.0
- 经典中线：胜利坊→华严湖→忠烈祠→祝融峰，距离约12公里，耗时4-5小时，石阶路为主，适合初次徒步者。- 风景最美线：梵音谷→华严湖→磨镜台→南天门→祝融峰，距离约15公里，耗时5-6小时，能欣赏溪流瀑布等美景，夏季清凉避暑。
Zhurong Peak
最靓又甜的美女士忌October 14, 2025
5.0
There are really a lot of monkeys, which can heal your mood. The monkeys are also very honest. If you don't provoke them, they will not attack you. When crossing the road, the staff can ensure the safety of tourists. When there are no vehicles, they use small flags to direct people to cross the road.
Huaguo Mountain Scenic Area
M23***22June 17, 2025
4.0
If you want to travel around and learn about folk customs! Or just take a walk around the rest area, it is worth recommending! As a reference for a big attraction, it is not recommended 😜
Nanyueli
M31***12June 23, 2025
5.0
A very retro place. Many sisters rented costumes from the Republic of China to take photos. If you like the style of the Republic of China, it is worth coming.
City of Time 1944
Anonymous userMarch 24, 2026
5.0
Installed in the millennium year 2000, not a historical monument. Nevertheless, weighing 56 tons, the Wanshou Big Tripod “万寿大鼎” with 10,000 variations of the Chinese character “寿” (meaning longevity) written in different scripts is a beautiful and meaningful monument. Climb to the top of the tripod via a narrow spiral staircase to get an elevated view of the surroundings.
Wanshou Big Tripod
等风来，不如寻风去～October 11, 2024
5.0
Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine is located in Nanyue Hengshan Scenic Area and is under the management of the scenic area. It is the place where the general tablets of the National Army's anti-Japanese martyrs are located. It is the place where the souls of the Chinese soldiers who fought in the Patriotic War of the Republic of China went to... Nanyue Hengshan is famous, and there are endless people visiting it every year, but the Martyrs' Shrine is deserted. Alas... They fought bloody battles in the rain of bullets to save the land of China, and their achievements are outstanding. They are heroes of the Chinese nation...
Nanyue Martyrs' Memorial Hall
