Wulao Peak is located in Zhongtiao Mountain range, 13 kilometers southeast of Yongji City, at the intersection of Shanxi, Shannxi and Henan provinces. In November 1992, it was appraised as a national forest park by the Ministry of Forestry. In January 1994, it was rated as a national scenic spot by the State Council, with a legal resource protection area of 300 square kilometers. In August 2011, it was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration. In November 2013, it was rated as a provincial tourism and leisure resort by Shanxi Provincial Tourism Administration. In December 2014, it was rated as Hedong tourism business card by Yuncheng Tourism Bureau.
Wulao Peak, formerly known as Wulao Mountain, was named after the legendary five immortals who granted Hetu and Luoshu (two mysterious patterns handed down from ancient China, which have always been regarded as the origin of Heluo culture) to the Emperor here. Before Zhouyi was written, here was a holy place for the early spread of Heluo culture and also the birthplace of Quanzhen Taoism in northern China. The Seventh Book of Taoism calls it “the 52nd blessed land of Taoism”. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the temple fair rose in Wulao Peak, which flourished for 500 years and became the source of modern tourism in China. Wulao Peak and Mount Wutai confronts each other, with Wulao Peak in the south while Mount Wutai, the Buddhist holy altar in the north. The two are equally famous. It has the same vein with Huashan Mountain and faces each other across the river, so it has been known as the “East Huashan Mountain” in history.
Wulao Peak is an excellent natural scenery tourist area and sports and fitness place. The main scenic area covers an area of 30 square kilometers, and is composed of five main peaks, Yuzhu peak, Dongjinping peak, Xijinping peak, Qipan peak and Taiyi peak. The main peak, Yuzhu peak, is 1809.3 meters above sea level. The unique karst geology has created many rare wonders: waves of pines, sea of clouds, flowing spring, waterfalls, wonder peak, odd rocks. There are 9 springs, 12 caves and 36 peaks in the mountain. There were 64 temples in the peak period. The scenery is so magnificent that visitors feel as if they were in a wonderland.
There are three tourist routes for mountain climbing in Wulao Peak: cableway is convenient and fast; climbing step by step is beneficial for one’s health; roaming along the water way from Jinxiu valley is relaxing.
【Yuzhu Peak】
Yuzhu Peak, also known as “Yunfeng Peak” and “Lingfeng Peak”, is the main peak of Wulao Peak, with an altitude of 1809.3 meters. Standing upright, it is dangerous and magical. Like cutting on all sides, pulling out the earth to the sky, it is a giant stone pillar almost pierces the sky and clouds. It is known as “the world’s wonder peak”. Climbing to Yuzhu Peak, one will pass through Chuanxin Tea House, Lotus Platform, Mingyan Cave, Sightseeing Platform and Cable Overpass. You can take a slide down the mountain. The summit of peak covers an area of more than 3333 m2, with Xianqiao Bridge, South Gate, Sightseeing Platform, Yuhuang Hall, etc. The fog covers the peak, and the mountains and pines are hidden, just like a fairyland in the clouds. Climbing on the top of the Yuzhu Peak, absorbing the spirit of heaven and earth, it is a test for the courage, perseverance, and will of the tourists, and also gives you a splendid view which reminds you the famous Chinese verse “When you climb to its very summit, you will see in one encompassing vision that how tiny all other mountains are.”
【Taiyi Peak】
Taiyi Peak, the north peak of Wulao Peak, with an altitude of 1400 meters, is the core of Taoist culture in the scenic spot, and also the origin of the cultural connotation of Wulao Peak. In 2000, according to historical records, Wulao Peak Company rebuilt Lingfeng Temple (also known as wulaoci) ancient architectural complex (Mountain Gate, Leishen Hall, Eight Immortals Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Sanqing Hall, Wulao Hall) at the original site. To the north, it can reach Beidouping Peak. The ancient relics include ancestral temple, He Xiangu temple, Guan Gong Temple, Doumu Temple, Zhugeliang Cave, etc. In 2003, ZHANG Zhaolin, a famous director, directed the TV series Guan Gong in his Hometown here. In 2005, the large-scale historical play Heroes was also filmed here. In 2010, outdoor location base of the movie Secret History of Yang Guifei is chosen here.
【Qipan Peak】
Qipan Peak, the west peak of Wulao Peak, is located in the west of Taiyi Peak, with an altitude of 1400m. There are Yunfengge Hotel, Laomu Hall, Erxian Playing-chess Platform and Lü Dongbin’s preaching office on the peak. This is where the story of “Wangzhi watching playing chess” recorded in the Jin Dynasty’s Searching for Immortals happened. Because of the legend that immortal Chen came down to earth to have nine children at one birth, it has been the most prosperous place to pray for having a child since ancient times. There are poems praising it: “There are thousands of paths around the peak, where chessboard, woods, and fog are pleasant. When the evening bell rings, the moon shines the mountains, how can we ask for more?”
【Feilai Stone】
Feilai Stone is also called Dongbin stone. Several hundred million years ago, in the Cambrian period, Wulao Peak was a granite reef in the sea bottom. Then the crust changed, the sea became land and Wulao Peak became a mountain. After the Quaternary ice age, the rock slowly weathered into sedimentary rock. After a volcanic eruption, the volcanic rock - limestone, just rolled down on the sedimentary rock. This huge stone larger than the house is called Feilai Stone (flying-here Stone).
【Xiaohong Cliff】
It is said that when Guan Yu, the martial saint, was 19 years old, he killed Lü Xiong, a bully in his hometown Changping, and was chased by the official. The Mountain God remembered his efforts to eliminate the harm for the people and came to help him. The pursuers had arrived at the foot of the mountain. At that urgent situation, The Mountain God pressed Guan Yu’s head to the stone. Immediately, the blood flowed and the rock was covered with blood. The mountain god did not give a second thought. He wiped the blood on Guan Gong’s face, and the white-faced boy became a red-faced man. Since then, Guan Gong’s face has been red. It is because Guan Gong’s blood dyed the rocks red, the place was called the Xiaohong Cliff.
【Dahong Cliff】
Dahong Cliff is 450 meters away from Lingfeng Temple, the Taoist cultural center of the scenic spot. The rocks here are steep and the rocks are craggy. In the Cambrian Period hundreds of millions of years ago, Wulao Peak was a granite reef in the sea bottom. Then the crust changed. The sea became land and Wulao Peak became a mountain. After the Quaternary glacial age, the rocks slowly weathered into sedimentary rocks. Then the volcano erupted and Wuliao Peak became a steep peak forest. The rock of the volcano is limestone, which is geologically called “karst landform”. According to the folklore, when Guan Yu’s face turned red, he went on fleeing. Here, he met an old lady who was changed by Guanyin Bodhisattva. She grabbed a handful of green grass and wiped it on Guan Yu’s face. At that time, a handsome beard grew, which made Guan Yu more handsome and heroic. Later, the Bodhisattva appeared out of the old lady, Guan Yu thanked him. He climbed on the Wulao Peak where he met Zhu Li, his master, and studied martial art. Later, he had the peach garden oath in Zhuozhou of Hebei Province, and began his brilliant and legendary life.
【Xinfeng Peak】
Xinfeng Peak is 100 meters away from Lingfeng Temple, the Taoist cultural center of the scenic spot. There is a “Luozhenren Buddhist Temple” built on it, where Taoist immortal Luo Tongwei and Yan Cai practice “walking in the air” (it is a kind of Taoist practice). Xinfeng Peak has a high cliff. The construction of the temple on it is one wonder of Wulao Peak.
The difference between Xinfeng Peak and all the other peaks is that the cliff is high and there is no land under it. However, on the top of Xinfeng Peak, a Taoist temple was built. At that time, the transportation was very inconvenient. How did the craftsmen transport these bricks and tiles one by one? According to the local people, at the beginning, the bricks and tiles were carried up the mountain manually, which was found too slow later. They began to put the bricks and tiles on the back of sheep and catch them up in groups. It was a miracle in the history of world architecture. It is said that when it was built, the mountain was foggy and no one can be seen in the opposite direction. The craftsmen rushed to work day and night in chaos. A month later, they finally finished the work. Just as the craftsmen were immersed in joy, a golden light shone down in the sky, as if a fairy had lifted the clouds to see the sun. Suddenly, the mountain was clear and the peak was bright. Standing at the top of the mountain, the craftsmen looked down. They were so shocked to find that the abyss was under their feet.
【Yixiantian(thin strip of sky)】
Looking up, there is a natural face-wall Buddha. When it comes to Yixiantian, we should mention the legend that Chenxiang split Huashan Mountain to save his mother. Wulao Peak has the same vein with Huashan Mountain. Chenxiang was eager to save his mother who was covered under Huashan Mountain; he swung the ax to split Huashan with all his strength. The cliff is shaken to form Yixiantian, where you can see the sky in the thin strip. Two peaks also emerges. Later, a cable overpass was built between the two peaks.
【Walkway for Mountain Climbing】
Walkway for mountain climbing (Xiyu stone step) was built in 2001. It is made of 2399 bluestone steps, which means Jiu Jiu Gui Yi in Taoism. The total length is of 1.2 km and with a drop of 400 meters. Here is the sprint section of the annual “Wulao Peak Mountaineering Festival” ----mountaineering competition (7.2km long) held by Shanxi branch of the National Mass Mountaineering Fitness Conference, and also the main route for the majority of tourists to walk. Along the way, there are Xiaohong Cliff, Dahong Cliff, Supporting Stone Platform, A Bowl of Spring, Lacquered Wood Platform, Xinfeng Peak, etc. Finally you could arrive at Lingfeng Temple, the Taoist cultural center of the scenic spot.
【Sightseeing Platform】
The Sightseeing Platform, located on the top of the mountain opposite to Yuzhu Peak in the south, is a reinforced concrete modeled-after antique building. It is composed of a 6-meter-diameter circular sightseeing platform, a single eave hipped-roof gallery with glazed tile and a connecting platform, with a construction area of 23.4 square meters. It was started on July 20, 2010 and completed at the end of August 2011. This Sightseeing Platform is carefully built for the convenience of tourists. Standing here, you can have a panoramic view of the magnificent scenery, which makes you feel relaxed and happy. It is one of the landmark buildings of Wulao Peak.
【Statue of LÜ Dongbin】
LÜ Dongbin, a famous Taoist immortal, is one of the eight immortals, one of the five northern ancestors of Quanzhen sect, and the founder of Quanzhen Taoism. His original name is LÜ Yan. His style name, also known as courtesy name, was Dongbin. He also may be known by the pseudonym (hao), Chunyangzi. It is said that he once became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and a local official in the first year of the Tang Dynasty (825 AD). Later he was tired of the chaos of the civil war, he abandoned all the fame and wealth and came Wulao Peak to cultivate with his wife. They lived in caves there, so he changed his name to LÜ Dongbin. “LÜ” refers to the couple; “Dong” refers to the cave where they live; “bin” is to tell people that they are guests to Wulao Peak. During the days there, he encountered the immortal ZHONG Liquan and recognized him as the master. After the success of cultivating, he went down the mountain and traveled around to relieve the disease for the people.
【Winding Mountain Slide】
Winding Mountain Slide, built in 2005, has a total length of 450 meters, reaching Lingfeng Temple from the entrance of Lianhuatai Platform. Its type is “U” groove, which is made of highly polished and high-quality granite. Along the way, there is an “s” curve, which is not only exciting, but also safe and comfortable. It is an entertainment project and a walking tool for tourists to go down from Yuzhu Peak. It helps to find the fun of childhood by relaxing both the body and the mind. Shuttling in the dense green trees, you will feel free like an eagle flying in the sky.
【Yunwu Overpass (Clound and Mist Overpass)】
The overpass connects the Sightseeing Platform and top of Yuzhu Peak. It was a suspension bridge, built in 2003, with 80 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. After the reconstruction of the overpass in 2011, all the components were made of new materials except for the continuous use of concrete piers. It was completed and put into use on July 15th. Yuzhu Peak, the main peak of Wulao Peak, can be reached through the overpass, which made you feel like what wrote in the poem “When you climb to its very summit, you will see in one encompassing vision that how tiny all other mountains are.”
【Steel Plank Road】
The steel plank road leads directly to the top of Yuzhu Peak, which is built to alleviate the bearing capacity of the overpass during the peak period of tourists. After completion, it forms a circular line with the overpass. It is a plank road with steel structure, with a total length of about 50 meters and a width of 1.2 meters. It was completed and put into use on June 15th, 2011.
【Heilong Pool (Black Dragon Pool)】
It is named after the legend that there was a black dragon occupying here. It is a sacred place for local villagers to pray for rain when suffering from drought in ancient times. Here can people watch not only the magnificent waterfall, but also the riverbed left by the river erosion for thousands of years. It is also a poem-recorded beautiful place. Now, on the basis of maintaining its original appearance, Black Dragon Pool has built a hanging plank road to form a circular tour line. The hanging plank road here was organized and implemented in 2010, with a height difference of 45 meters and a total length of 355 meters. Reinforced concrete structure is adopted, with bionic decoration on the outside. The column is made of artificial pine bark. The beam and panel are made of artificial wood-grain board, and the railing is made of artificial elm bark. It was put into use on September 30th, 2011.
【Houji Temple】
Houji Temple is also called Temple of Grain God. It was built to worship the ancestor HouJi in the ancient times in order to pray for the harvest and happiness. Houji is the fourth grandson of the Yellow Emperor and the son of emperor Ku. His mother was the imperial concubine Jiang Yuan, the Shao’s daughter. Houji was fond of planting mulberry and trees when he was a child. When he grew up, he was more proficient in farming. At that time, people’s mode of production was still in the stage of fishing and hunting, the “slash-and-burn” farming style. Houji taught the people his way of farming. People all followed him. Finally, people experienced the changes brought by agricultural production. The whole country benefited from it. Emperor Yao appreciated him very much and granted him a pseudonym (hao) Houji, also called Jishi. For thousands of years, people have been working from sunrise to sunset on this land. Up to now, the story about how Houji taught people farming has been widely spread in the land of South Shanxi. Wulao Peak is the place where Houji taught them.
【Yiwan Spring (A Bowl of Spring)】
Pure and sweet water come from the stone which seems endless. It often keeps as the amount of a bowl, hence comes the name. It is said that when the moon is full, golden bowls and chopsticks can be seen in the spring under the moonlight.
【Laomu Hall (Mother God Hall)】
The Mother God is worshiped in the hall. The Mother God is also known as “Mother of Big Dipper”. There are “twenty four filial piety pictures” and “pictures of hundred children welcoming happiness” in the hall. “Expand the respect of the aged in one’s family to that of other families; expand the love of the young ones in one’s family to that of other families” is the essence of the culture here.
【Immortal’s Chessboard】
The scenery of Qipan Peak (Chessboard Peak) is picturesque, and there are many immortals here. The White Emperor who loves playing chess in heavenly palace often plays chess with Chen Xiannü at Qipan Peak. They love each other and get married, leaving many beautiful and moving love stories at Wulao Peak. Later generations made statues in the green mountains to commemorate the couple of immortals. On July 7th every year, the whispers of immortals can be heard here.
【Hongsha Valley (Red Sand Valley)】
Hongsha Valley is located in the east of Taiyi Peak, at the foot of Dongjinping Peak. From Lingfeng Temple, a detour of 1000 meters along the east side of the path will be Hongsha Valley (Red Sand Valley), which is also the shooting location of the historical drama Heroes. Hongsha Valley is a magical dune between mountains, which is formed by weathering of red and green rocks. There is a hundred-year-old poplar in the sand dune. Under the tree, there is a spring. There is a huge “flying stone” beside it. It is said that it is the incarnation of LÜ Dongbin. Hongsha Valley is like a painting, which makes people feel relaxed and happy, wanting to linger on forever. Several hundred million years ago, in the Cambrian period, Wulao Peak was a granite reef in the sea bottom. Then the crust changed. The sea became land and Wulao Peak became a mountain. After the Quaternary glacial age, the rocks gradually weathered into sedimentary rocks, and here is a draught. After being exposed to the weather for hundreds of millions of years, the solid rock weathered into red sand. There suddenly appears a desert without any grass in a green mountain, which makes us feel extremely magical and wonderful. However, in the heart of the desert, there grows a hundred-year-old poplar. Besides, there is a spring under the tree. It looks like the sacred milk that the mother of the desert gave with her life for nurturing her children, which makes us awed.
【Shuiniu Platform (Buffalo Platform)】
“Shuiniu platform” is also known as “Supporting Platform”. When tourists come here, they can hold a stick to protect their waist from pain and legs from fatigue when they go up the mountain. It is said, when people have done something wrong or have doubts in the past, they come here to hold a small stick and burn incense to pray to the mountain god, who will protect people to face their life in an upright way. Now it is also a place to pray for yourself or your family. There is a local saying that “on the 23rd day of the first lunar month of the new year, the Lord Lao Zi practices the elixir, and every household posts the golden cow to ensure safety all the year round.” It is said that this buffalo was the mount where the Lord Lao Zi used when he came here to make alchemy.
【Qimu Platform (Lacquer Wood Platform)】
It is famous for a special plant ---- lacquer tree. Lacquer tree, belongs to lacquer tree family; it is a deciduous tree which is common in Yunnan Province, and is one of the precious species in the north. In the past, when the chemical industry was underdeveloped, people often used the sap of this tree to make paint which is antiseptic and insect proof, but contacting with lacquer would make people’s skin allergic and swollen. Therefore, tourists should be reminded that they can only observe them far away.
【Shuixian Cave (Water Goddess Cave)】
Shuixian Cave, also known as Mingyan (eye-brightening) Cave, was originally enshrined with Buddhist goddess Guanyin, but the statue was lost. In 2011, according to historical records, a Mingyan statue was carved. When it rains or the air is wet, there are two streams of springs overflowing in the cave. The water is pure, cool and sweet. It is said that the spring is granted by Guanyin. If you used the water to wash your eyes, it can make the eyes brighter. It is also a fairyland where people come to pray for bright eyes.
【Yuhuang Palace (Jade Emperor Palace)】
Yuhuang Palace, located in the south gate on the top of Yuzhu Peak, is 1809.3 meters above sea level. The Jade Emperor is enshrined in the palace. It is said that the Jade Emperor not only commands the gods of heaven, earth and man, but also manages the prosperity and decline of all things in the universe, so as to cause misfortunes and blessings. It was burned in the Republic of China and rebuilt in 2001.
【Chuanxin Tea-house】
It is 450 meters away from the top of the main peak--- Yuzhu Peak. It is a place for visitors to rest and eat at the temple fair of the Wulao Peak, which is one of the symbols of the prosperity of the temple fair. Jinnan Baxian (eight counties in South Shanxi) Tea-house, Chuanxin Tea-house and Baoyushu Tea-house are all famous tea houses in Wulao Peak. The ancient temple fair is held from the first day to the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar every year. People from all over the country flock here, burning incense and worshiping, praying for God’s protection and blessing, praying for children, touring the mountains and sightseeing, watching opera and juggling, which has flourished for over 500 years.
【Jinxiu Valley】
Jinxiu Valley, also known as Black Dragon Gorge, is another hiking cycle in the scenic area, surrounded by mountains, trees and streams. Along the way, there are unique and novel bridges, streams, pavilions, rest platforms, tea bars, wooden houses, black dragon pool, air plank road and other leisure and entertainment facilities. The water can be seen everywhere, and the sound of water can be heard from time to time. Waterfalls connect waterfalls and small bridges connect with small bridges. It is a fairyland where people and nature are harmonious.
【Passenger Rope-way】
The passenger rope-way starts from Ertaipan and goes straight to Beidouping of Taiyi Peak. It is 1480 meters long with a drop of 555 meters. It is reputed as “the first rope-way in Shanxi Province”. The cable-way uses advanced equipment, with a total of 90 cabins. It takes 24 minutes to reach Taiyi Peak, the Taoist cultural center of the scenic spot. Along the way, you can see many ancient tea horse roads and tea house sites, witness the long tea house culture of Wulao peak and the ancient temple fair that once flourished for 500 years, and enjoy the magical natural scenery of Wulao Peak.
QR Code for “山西五老峰(Wulao Peak)”
Address:
Thirteen kilometers southeast of Yongji City, Shanxi Province
Wechat official account: yjwlfjq
Opening hours:
Peak season: April 1 to October 31
Slack season: November 1 to March 31 of the following year
Business hours: 8:00 to 18:00
Ticket price: 70 yuan / person
Scenic area transportation: 20 yuan / person
Tour guide explanation fee: 90 yuan / time
Preferential policy:
(1) Children: children who are under 6 years old (including 6 years old) or under 1.2m (including 1.2m) are free of charge.
(2) Minors and students: minors aged 6 (excluding 6) to 18 (including 18), students with full-time bachelor’s degree or below can enjoy half price discount with their student card.
(3) Servicemen: active servicemen can enjoy the policy of no ticket with the “soldier certificate”, “officer certificate” and “military disability certificate”.
(4) The elderly: the elderly over 60 years old can enjoy half price discount with valid certificates such as senior citizen preferential treatment card and ID card; the elderly over 70 years old can enjoy the free ticket policy with valid certificates such as senior citizen preferential treatment card and ID card.
(5) The disabled: those who hold the disabled person card of the People’s Republic of China issued by the National Disabled Persons’ Federation can enjoy the free ticket policy.
(6) Reporter: with the press card issued by the General Administration of press and publication, you can enjoy the free ticket policy.
Transportation guide:
Yuncheng City to Wulao Peak: You can take bus in Wuzhou bus station (opposite to Yinhu Hotel) to Yongji direction and get off at Wulaofeng intersection, and then transfer to scenic spot bus (or taxi).
Ticketing and consultation telephone number of scenic spot:
Consultation hotline: 400 114 0588
Ticketing Center hotline: 0359-8069588
