China’s Three Mountains & Five Great Peaks

Three scenic mountains

For this travel guide, “Three Mountains” means Huangshan, Lushan and Yandangshan, a commonly used scenic grouping; the term also has other historical and mythic meanings.

• 
  Anhui

  Huangshan

  Granite peaks, pine silhouettes and a long tradition of mountain painting and travel writing.

  Plan your visit Allow time for weather and the mountain’s steep steps.

  Explore Huangshan ↗
• 
  Jiangxi

  Lushan

  Mount Lu rises beside Poyang Lake and the Yangtze, a mountain landscape whose clouds, valleys and waterfalls have held the imagination of poets for centuries. Its cultural story includes Buddhist and Daoist sites, learning traditions and later summer villas.

  Plan your visit Allow an overnight stay to see the mountain in changing light; cloud and visibility can reshape the day.

  Explore Lushan ↗
• 
  Zhejiang

  Yandangshan

  Yandangshan is a mountain landscape of sharp pinnacles, cliffs and green valleys near the Zhejiang coast. The area is renowned for landforms shaped by ancient volcanic activity, yet each valley has a different scale and mood.

  Plan your visit Choose one or two valleys at a comfortable pace; some paths have steep steps and views depend on weather.

  Explore Yandangshan ↗

The Five Great Peaks

The five Yue mark the traditional directions: east, west, south, north and centre. Two are called Hengshan in English, but lie in different provinces and use different Chinese characters.

• 
  Shandong

  Mount Tai · Eastern Peak

  Mount Tai is the eastern member of the Five Great Peaks. Emperors came here for rites, and the mountain’s temples, stone inscriptions and stairways reflect a cultural history as compelling as its high viewpoints.

  Plan your visit The full stair ascent is demanding. Agree on a walking level and weather alternative before setting out.

  Explore Mount Tai · Eastern Peak ↗
• 
  Shaanxi

  Mount Hua · Western Peak

  Sheer ridges, Daoist sites and routes that should be chosen for a traveller’s comfort and conditions.

  Plan your visit Choose a route to suit fitness and conditions; cliff walks are optional, not assumed.

  Explore Mount Hua · Western Peak ↗
• 
  Hunan

  Mount Heng · Southern Peak (衡山)

  Nanyue Hengshan in Hunan is the southern member of the Five Great Peaks. Its forested ridges hold both Buddhist temples and Daoist sites, while the Nanyue town below is part of the pilgrimage landscape.

  Plan your visit The summit and temple areas are spread across the mountain; allow flexibility for transport and mountain weather.

  Explore Mount Heng · Southern Peak (衡山) ↗
• 
  Shanxi

  Mount Heng · Northern Peak (恒山)

  Beiyue Hengshan in Shanxi is the northern member of the Five Great Peaks. Its rocky slopes sit in a very different setting from Hunan’s southern Hengshan, and the wider Hunyuan area includes the celebrated Hanging Temple.

  Plan your visit Hanging Temple access and the mountain ascent can be restricted by conditions and capacity; confirm both before travel.

  Explore Mount Heng · Northern Peak (恒山) ↗
• 
  Henan

  Mount Song · Central Peak

  Mount Song, the central member of the Five Great Peaks, rises above Dengfeng in Henan. Shaolin Temple is the best-known name, but the broader mountain and surrounding historic monuments tell a much larger story of belief, learning and architecture.

  Plan your visit Shaolin is only one part of the Mount Song landscape; confirm which monuments and walks matter most to you.

  Explore Mount Song · Central Peak ↗

Make the journey your own.

• Choose one region at a time. These eight mountains span large distances and different climates.
• Routes range from cable-car-supported visits to long stair climbs; we tailor the walking level.
• Mountain access and weather can change quickly, so keep room to adjust on the day.