Another extraordinary addition to China's long list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sanqing Shan is situated in northeastern Jiangxi Province and was inscribed on the world heritage list in 2008 for its "superlative natural phenomena."
Visitors to the area are treated to landscapes featuring a wealth of fantastically shaped granite landforms, often resembling human or animal silhouettes. Rapidly changing meteorological conditions create the perfect canvas for nature to contrive arresting vistas full of bright, cloud-penetrating halos and spectral rainbows.
The area is also features primeval forests packed with incredible biodiversity and numerous waterfalls, some of them 60 meters (180 feet) tall, as well as a variety of lakes and springs.
An already popular tourist attraction, the mountain is probably best visited mid-week or during spring or autumn (autumn, with its drier weather, is best). Visiting during Chinese national holidays almost assures an experience marred by overcrowding.
Do make sure you pack good footwear and be aware that trails on the mountain can be quite physically challenging.
History
Sanqing Shan's three main mountains, mounts Yujing, Yushue and Yuhua, are renowned Taoist peaks said to resemble the silhouettes of the Three Pure Ones—the three most important dieties in the Taoist pantheon. One of these, the Grand Pure One, was believed to have manifested himself as Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism.
This transformation is important to religious Taoism, or at least to academics engrossed in its study, as it represents just one of the steps in Lao Tzu's historical transformation from man to deity.
Lao Tzu's storied origins begin as a legendary scholar and writer whose image gradually merges, in some instances, with that of the mythical founder of the Chinese "nation" Huangdi—the Yellow Emperor, in other instances with that of a cultural hero born of immaculate conception.
By the mid-second century C.E., the person of Lao Tzu transforms into that of a deity whose revelations give rise to the Celestial Masters' school. His image is often also associated with that of a creator god, one who could rescue us humans when faced with calamity.
In some myths, Lao Tzu possesses the power of incarnation, similar to that of Buddhist bodhisattvas. Eventually he is recognized as one of the Three Pure Ones before attaining the station of chief divine person.
Climate
In Sanqing Shan, climate and topography often combine to impressive photogenic effect. Towering fingers of rock wreathed in mist, or cloud seas falling over ridge crests create fantastic panoramas shutterbugs adore.
The area is subject to both subtropical monsoon and maritime influences with four distinct seasons. Springs can be quite cool and rainy, summers hot and muggy with temperatures up to 33ºC, autumns dry and cool, while winters get humid again with temperatures dropping down, on occasion, to lows of -16ºC. Weather changes quickly in the area, so check the forecast and always pack rain gear just in case.
Though there once used to be quite a selection of hotels right in the Sanqing Shan area, listing on the UNESCO World Heritage list has meant increased efforts at conservation. Hotels have had to relocate off-site or just plain disappear.
There are still three hotels in Sanqing Shan's immediate vicinity. The Rishang Shanzhuang Hotel (Tel: 0793 2189 379) though undergoing renovations as recently as 2009, is a winner for clean comfort.
The Shenlong Shanzhuang Hotel (Tel: 0793 2189 286), and the Nushen Binguan Hotel (Tel: 0793 2189 300) are your other two options.
In the city of Shangrao, 78 kilometers off, you'll find budget accommodations at the Xinlong Hotel (from RMB 122/night), travel services to help you on your way to Sanqing Shan at the Sanqing Hotel (from RMB 163/night), and luxury accommodations at the Jingdu International Hotel (from RMB 190-781/night).
A little further off in Quzhou (144 km), try the Friendship Hotel.
If you hear of any great local food, snacks or perhaps a tantalizing Michelin-starred restaurant hiding in the bushes somewhere; let everyone know by writing a comment on the Sanqing Shan destination page, or by writing a post about it in our travel forum.
Getting Around
For those not fleet of foot or deep of lung, cable cars can ferry you to and from the summit effort-free, all day long. If you choose to don your hiking boots, the hike should take you about two hours. Bring plenty of water.
To and from Sanqing Shan
From Yushan To Sanqing Shan
There are minibuses running from Yushan Railway Station to Sanqing Shan between 6:00 a.m. to about 4:00 p.m. The 47 kilometers of asphalt between them is in relatively good condition, so it shouldn't take too long.
Buses can be boarded in the Yushan Bus Station, but they usually don't eave until buses are full and pick people up on the way. Be prepared for the possibility of losing pretty much all personal space.
From Shangrao to Sanqing Shan
Direct buses frun from Shangrao to Sanqing Shan, though not so many as depart from Yushan.
Trains running between Shanghai and Kunming, Jiujiang, Changsha, Nanchang, Fuzhou, Xiamen; and those running between Guangzhou and Nanjing, Ningbo; and those running between Xiamen and Beijing all stopover at Shangrao. Direct trains between Guangzhou, Yingtan, Nanchang and Shangrao are also available. Train access makes transfer to Sanqing Shan from Shangrao highly convenient.
From Quzhou to Sanqing Shan
There is a single bus leaving from Quzhou for Fenshui (north of Shanqing Shan) daily. You can also take a bus leaving for Changshan, near the Quzhou Railway Station, and then transfer to another bus going to Sanqing Shan. Buses from Changshan to the northern entrance of Sanqing Shan are also available.
If you hear of any great local souvenirs, curios or mementos to buy in the area, let everyone know by writing a comment on the Sanqing Shan destination page, or by writing a post about it in our travel forum.
As Sanqing Shan is a protected area filled with rare species, you may come across vendors peddling live rare species, or items made from them. If you cherish nature and value preserving it for future generations, please do not buy their products.
If you hear of any great local events or festivals in the area, let everyone know by writing a comment on the Sanqing Shan destination page, or by writing a post about it in our travel forum.