Chronicles of China's Peaks: 20 Mountains of Cultural and Scenic Splendor

China’s vast and bountiful land is graced with countless majestic mountains and breathtaking landscapes, each like a brilliant star scattered across the land. From the Five Great Mountains that have borne millennia of civilization to the spiritual abodes of sacred peaks and the wondrous realms of natural beauty, every mountain is a living history book and a dynamic masterpiece. Here, we present 20 of China’s most iconic mountains—not merely geographic landmarks, but profound symbols of culture and spirit.

It is said that personally visiting ten of these peaks qualifies one as a “travel connoisseur,” while exploring over fifteen marks the true “master explorer.”

I. The Five Great Mountains: Cornerstones of Chinese Civilization

The adage “Having returned from the Five Great Mountains, one need not look upon other hills” speaks to their unparalleled status. They are the starting point for understanding China’s mountain culture.

Mount Tai in Shandong, revered as the “Leader of the Five Great Mountains,” served as the sacred site for imperial Fengshan rituals. Its sea of clouds and sunrise are magnificent, and the experience of a night ascent to await the dawn is unforgettable. Key sites include the South Heaven Gate, the Jade Emperor Summit, and the challenging Eighteen Bends.

Mount Hua in Shaanxi is famed as the “Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven.” Its plank paths like the Changkong Trail and the Swallow’s Flight test a climber’s courage. The cableway to the West Peak and watching the sunrise from the East Peak are extraordinary experiences.

Mount Hua

Mount Heng in Hunan, the origin of the blessing “May your life be as long as the Southern Mountain,” is where Buddhism and Taoism coexist harmoniously amidst perpetual mist and clouds. The Zhurong Peak and the Grand Temple of Mount Heng are its highlights.

Mount Heng (in Shanxi) is renowned for the Xuankong Temple, a millennia-old monastery clinging to a sheer cliff—an architectural marvel that fuels the imagination of martial arts enthusiasts. The Xuankong Temple and Tianfeng Ridge are its core attractions.

Mount Song in Henan, the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, seamlessly blends ancient Chan Buddhist culture with the rugged beauty of Shaoshi Mountain and Sanhuangzhai. The Shaolin Temple and the Bodhidharma Cave are steeped in profound history.

Mount Song

II. Sacred Peaks: Abodes of Spirituality

These mountains are vessels of faith, where natural beauty and religious sanctity merge perfectly.

Mount Emei in Sichuan, celebrated for its “Elegance under Heaven,” stuns visitors with the Buddha’s Halo on its Golden Summit. The playful resident monkeys add a touch of wilderness to the journey. The Ten Directions Samantabhadra Statue and the Wanian Temple are significant landmarks.

Mount Wutai in Shanxi, the cool, pure realm of Manjusri Bodhisattva, witnesses the convergence of Han and Tibetan Buddhist cultures. Pusading and Dailuoding are central for pilgrimage and scenery.

Mount Wutai

Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, the “Buddhist Kingdom on the Sea,” evokes serenity with its sea breezes and chanting. The statue of Guanyin facing the South Sea exudes compassion. Puji Chan Temple and the “Temple of the Unwilling-to-Leave Guanyin” are steeped in ancient lore.

Mount Jiuhua in Anhui, the bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, is dotted with ninety-nine temples. The mysterious Hall of the Flesh Body adds to its solemnity. Tiantai Temple and Baisui Palace are must-visit sites.

Mount Wudang in Hubei, the “Unrivaled Scenic Wonder Since Ancient Times,” is the cradle of Tai Chi culture. The Golden Hall and the Zixiao Palace carry heavy historical weight, while the “Dragon Head Incense” at Nanyan Palace is a breathtaking spectacle.

Mount Wutai

III. Earthly Paradises: The Pinnacle of Natural Beauty

The beauty of these places is deemed “must-see in a lifetime,” representing the zenith of China’s mountain scenery.

Mount Huang in Anhui is legendary. “Having returned from the Five Great Mountains, one need not look upon other hills; having returned from Mount Huang, one need not look upon the Five Great Mountains.” Its “Four Wonders”—strangely-shaped pines, grotesque rocks, seas of clouds, and hot springs—are unparalleled. The Welcoming Guest Pine, the West Sea Grand Canyon, and Bright Summit Peak are classics.

Mount Lu in Jiangxi is a summer retreat and cultural icon. The poetic mystery of its “true face” blends with the Three-Step Waterfall and historic villas (like the Meilu Villa) into a unique cultural and natural tapestry. Hanpokou offers vast, magnificent views.

Mount Sanqing

Changbai Mountain straddling the China-North Korea border in Jilin features a crater lake, Tianchi, like a sapphire. It’s a skiing paradise in winter and transforms into an alpine flower garden in summer. The North Slope Tianchi, Green Abyss Pool, and the novelty of boiling eggs in hot springs are not to be missed.

Mount Yu (Jade Mountain), the highest peak in eastern China located in Taiwan, glistens with snow in winter like jade. Trekking through its forest line rewards climbers with stunning starry skies.

Mount Sanqing in Jiangxi is a Taoist fairyland. Its granite forest peaks resemble giant natural sculptures and are considered an inspiration for Avatar. Spectacles like “Giant Python Peak” and “Goddess Peak” are wonders.

IV. Remote Challenges: Pilgrimages for the Soul

These remote ranges represent pristine wilderness and deeper spiritual challenges, suited for advanced explorers.

Mount Kailash in Tibet, the “King of Sacred Mountains,” revered as the center of the universe in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism. The kora (circumambulation) trek is a profound physical and spiritual trial.

Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan is a sacred range. The sight of the “Sunlight over Golden Summit” is soul-stirring. Its main peak, Kawagebo, remains unclimbed, an eternal symbol of reverence for nature.

Meili Snow Mountain

Mount Fanjing in Guizhou, a recent UNESCO World Heritage site, features the Mushroom Stone and Red Cloud Golden Peak rising above cloud waterfalls, creating a fantasy “City in the Sky.”

Mount Gongga in Sichuan, the “King of Sichuan Mountains,” is the ultimate test for trekkers. Its snow-capped reflection in lakes like Lenggacuo is breathtakingly beautiful.

Kunlun Mountains spanning Xinjiang are the “Ancestors of Ten Thousand Mountains” and a cradle of Chinese mythology. Traversing its uninhabited zones evokes a sense of boundless desolation and mystery.