Fanjing Mountain Tourist Area in Tongren City is located at the junction of Jiangkou County, Yinjiang County, and Songtao County in Tongren City, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area, with a total area of 567 square kilometers. Fanjing Mountain is a famous Buddhist mountain in China and the main peak of the Wuling Mountains. The highest peak, Fenghuang Mountain, has an altitude of 2,572 meters. The scenic area is characterized by unique geological landforms, rich biodiversity, and profound Buddhist culture. Fanjing Mountain has typical karst landforms and primeval forest landscapes, with a forest coverage rate of over 95%. There are many rare animals and plants on the mountain, such as the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey and Davidia involucrata. There are also numerous temple buildings in the scenic area, such as Chengen Temple, which carry a long history of Buddhist culture.
History and Culture
Fanjing Mountain has a long history, and its Buddhist culture has a long history. As early as the Song Dynasty, Buddhism began to spread to the Fanjing Mountain area. During the Ming Dynasty, Buddhism in Fanjing Mountain reached its peak. Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty ordered the construction of many temples, making it one of the five famous Buddhist mountains in China. At that time, Fanjing Mountain was bustling with pilgrims, and temple buildings were scattered throughout the mountain.
In history, Fanjing Mountain was not only a Buddhist holy land but also a military strategic location due to its unique geographical location and natural landscape. In different historical periods, some important military events occurred here, witnessing the changes of history.
The Fanjing Mountain area is also a place where multiple ethnic groups live in compact communities. Ethnic groups such as the Tujia, Miao, and Dong have lived here for generations, forming rich and diverse ethnic cultures and traditional customs. These ethnic cultures blend with the natural landscape and Buddhist culture of Fanjing Mountain, constituting the unique cultural heritage of Fanjing Mountain.
Main Attractions
Mushroom Stone
The Mushroom Stone is one of the landmark scenic spots of Fanjing Mountain. It is about 10 meters high, with a larger top and a smaller bottom, resembling a mushroom. It stands on the top of the mountain and has withstood billions of years of weathering and erosion without falling. The Mushroom Stone has a unique shape and is a masterpiece of nature. It is also a must-visit check-in point for many tourists. Around the Mushroom Stone, you can also enjoy the unique geological landscape and magnificent mountain scenery of Fanjing Mountain.
Hongyun Golden Summit
Hongyun Golden Summit has an altitude of about 2,336 meters. It is often surrounded by red clouds and auspicious air in the morning, hence its name. The vertical height difference from the foot to the peak of the Golden Summit is 94 meters. A crack in the middle divides the Golden Summit into two parts, and there is a sky bridge connecting them. There is a temple on each side, with one side enshrining Sakyamuni Buddha and the other side enshrining Maitreya Buddha. Climbing the Hongyun Golden Summit requires a certain amount of physical strength and courage. There are steep stone steps and iron chains along the way to assist in climbing. After reaching the summit, you can overlook the magnificent scenery of Fanjing Mountain, and the view is extremely broad.
Chengen Temple
Chengen Temple is located below the new Golden Summit of Fanjing Mountain and is the largest temple in Fanjing Mountain. The temple was first built in the Ming Dynasty, with a long history and a simple and elegant architectural style. Chengen Temple carries the Buddhist culture of Fanjing Mountain and is an important place for believers to worship. The temple is filled with the fragrance of burning incense, and the sound of the bell is melodious. Tourists can feel the strong Buddhist atmosphere here and understand the connotation of Buddhist culture.
Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey Reserve
Fanjing Mountain is the main habitat of the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey, which is known as the "only child of the earth" and is a national first-class protected animal in China. A reserve for the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey has been established in the primeval forest of Fanjing Mountain. Tourists can observe the living habits of the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey in the designated area. Although it is not certain to see the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey with your own eyes, the rich vegetation and unique ecological environment in the reserve are also worth exploring. There are many rare plants and other wild animals here, making it a good place to learn about biodiversity.
Delicacies
Jiangkou Rice Tofu
Jiangkou Rice Tofu is a characteristic delicacy in the Tongren area. It is made from high-quality rice through multiple processes such as soaking, grinding into a pulp, boiling, and cooling. The rice tofu has a light yellow color and a smooth and tender taste. With special seasonings such as red oil, vinegar, soy sauce, chopped green onions, and coriander, it tastes sour and spicy. It is a favorite snack of the locals and one of the must-try delicacies for tourists.
Yinjiang Mung Bean Noodles
Yinjiang Mung Bean Noodles are a traditional delicacy in Yinjiang County. The main raw materials are mung beans and rice. The two are ground into a pulp in proportion, spread into thin pancakes, and then cut into strips. There are various ways to eat mung bean noodles, which can be boiled or stir-fried. When boiled, it is served with a delicious soup, minced meat, vegetables, etc., and tastes delicious. The stir-fried mung bean noodles are fragrant and have a rich taste, which is a common choice for local breakfast.
Songtao Braised Duck
Songtao Braised Duck is a characteristic dish in Songtao County. High-quality local ducks are selected and made through multiple processes such as cleaning, marinating, and braising. The braised duck has a bright red color, tender meat, rich fragrance, and a strong braised flavor. It tastes fragrant skin and tender meat, and even the bones have a strong braised aroma. It is a good dish to go with wine and is deeply loved by locals and tourists.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance ticket price of Fanjing Mountain Tourist Area is 120 yuan per person. The round-trip sightseeing bus ticket is 20 yuan per person, and the one-way ticket is 10 yuan per person. The round-trip cable car ticket is 140 yuan per person, and the one-way ticket is 70 yuan per person. The scenic area has corresponding preferential policies for specific groups such as children, the elderly, military personnel, and students. For specific information, please pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or the instructions at the ticket window. The entrance tickets, bus tickets, and cable car tickets can be purchased through the official website of the scenic area, WeChat official account, or the on-site ticket window.
Opening Hours
Fanjing Mountain Tourist Area is open throughout the year, with opening hours from 08:00 to 19:00 (ticket sales stop at 15:00, and ticket checking and entry stop at 16:00). During legal holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to the actual situation. Tourists can query the official information of the scenic area in advance and arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour routes: If you have enough time, it is recommended to spend two days visiting. On the first day, take the sightseeing bus from the scenic area gate to the lower cable car station, and then take the cable car up the mountain. First, visit scenic spots such as the Mushroom Stone and Eagle Rock to enjoy the unique geological landscape. Then go to Chengen Temple to feel the Buddhist cultural atmosphere and rest and dine nearby. In the afternoon, go to the Hongyun Golden Summit, climb the Golden Summit, and enjoy the magnificent scenery at the top of the mountain. After that, return to the lower cable car station and take the sightseeing bus down the mountain and stay in the surrounding area of the scenic area. On the second day, you can choose the hiking route up the mountain, walk up the mountain from Heiwan River, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the primeval forest and rich vegetation along the way. After reaching the top of the mountain, visit the scenic spots you are interested in again, and go down the mountain and return in the afternoon. If you are short of time, you can choose a one-day tour, take the cable car up and down the mountain, and focus on visiting the main scenic spots such as the Mushroom Stone, Hongyun Golden Summit, and Chengen Temple.
Transportation
- Public transportation: You can take a bus from Tongren urban area to Jiangkou County. The journey takes about 1 hour, and the ticket price is about 20 yuan. After arriving in Jiangkou County, you can take a special line bus to Fanjing Mountain Scenic Area, and the ticket price is about 10 yuan. You can also take a vehicle to Fanjing Mountain from Yinjiang County or Songtao County. For specific bus schedules and ticket prices, please consult the local bus station.
- Self-driving: Starting from Tongren urban area, you can reach Fanjing Mountain Scenic Area via the Hangrui Expressway, Anjiang Expressway, etc. The whole journey is about 100 kilometers, and the driving time is about 2 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot, and the parking fee is charged according to the parking duration.
Must-visit Attractions
- Mushroom Stone: A landmark scenic spot of Fanjing Mountain, about 10 meters high, with a unique shape. It has withstood weathering and erosion and is an excellent place for taking photos. The surrounding geological landscape is unique.
- Hongyun Golden Summit: With an altitude of about 2,336 meters, it is surrounded by red clouds in the morning. The vertical height difference is 94 meters, and there is a sky bridge connecting the temples on both sides. Climbing is difficult, but the scenery at the top is magnificent, and the view is broad.
- Chengen Temple: Located below the new Golden Summit, it is the largest temple in Fanjing Mountain. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty, with simple and elegant architecture, a strong Buddhist atmosphere, and a long history of Buddhist culture.
- Guizhou Snub-nosed Monkey Reserve: Fanjing Mountain is the main habitat of the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey. The reserve has rich vegetation and a unique ecological environment, making it a good place to learn about biodiversity and observe rare animals. Although it is not certain to see the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey, there are also other rare plants and wild animals.
Tour Tips
- Understand the weather conditions of Fanjing Mountain in advance. It is best to choose sunny or cloudy days for the tour to enjoy more beautiful scenery. You can check through weather forecast apps or the official website of the scenic area.
- Prepare comfortable sports shoes and clothing suitable for mountain climbing, because some sections of Fanjing Mountain require hiking. Wearing comfortably can make the tour more relaxed.
- If you want to climb the Hongyun Golden Summit, make psychological and physical preparations in advance, pay attention to safety, climb according to the signs and the guidance of the staff, and do not crowd or take risks.
- Take good care of the environment in the scenic area, do not litter casually, and keep the scenic area clean.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to choosing regular restaurants and snack stalls to ensure food hygiene.
Notes
- Comply with the regulations of the scenic area, follow the instructions of the staff, and do not enter the unopened areas without permission.
- Pay attention to safety during the mountain climbing process, especially on steep sections and narrow plank roads. Walk carefully to avoid accidents.
- Fanjing Mountain is a Buddhist holy land. Respect Buddhist culture and beliefs, do not make loud noises in the temple, and abide by the temple etiquette.
- In case of an emergency, you can call the emergency rescue hotline of the scenic area or ask the nearby staff for help.
- When taking the cable car, follow the staff's requirements to board in an orderly manner, fasten the seat belt, and do not shake or perform dangerous actions in the cable car cabin.