Huaguo Mountain (花果山) is a AAAAA-rated destination, celebrated as the inspiration for Journey to the West’s mythical realm. Spanning 84.3 km², its 136 peaks—crowned by Yunv Peak—combine red granite formations, ancient forests, and cultural relics. The park attracts 3M+ annual visitors for its "three wonders": legends, geology, and ecology.
Key Attractions
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Mythical Landmarks
- Water Curtain Cave: A natural waterfall-fronted cave, believed to be Sun Wukong’s home. Ming-era inscriptions like "High Mountain Flowing Water" adorn its entrance.
- Monkey Stone & 72 Caves: Granite formations resembling Journey to the West characters, plus tectonic caves like Havoc Heaven Cave where demons allegedly gathered.
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Cultural & Religious Sites
- Sanyuan Palace: A 1,600-year-old Taoist temple where Emperor Qianlong worshipped. Houses Ayuwang Pagoda (1023 CE), a 9-tier Buddhist relic.
- Mao Zedong Inscription: A stele quoting Mao’s acknowledgment of Huaguo as Sun Wukong’s "official" hometown.
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Natural Wonders
- Yunv Peak: Summit offering sunrise views over the Yellow Sea. The "Jade Maiden’s Hair-Washing Basin" rock pool is a poetic landmark.
- Biodiversity: Home to 300+ wild macaques, Yuntai camellias, and 1,190 medicinal plants like Ginkgo biloba.
Geological Significance
- Formed by Cretaceous-era tectonic shifts, its granite cliffs showcase rare sea-erosion caves (evidence of ancient sea-level changes).
- Designated a national geopark for its "stone oceans" and layered metamorphic rock formations.
Visitor Experience
- Activities:
- Hiking: Trails like 18 Bends lead to hidden shrines. Electric shuttles (¥50) ease access to peaks.
- Monkey Feeding: Interactive zones (caution: food-stealing macaques!).
- Seasonal Highlights:
- Spring: Peach blossoms at Taohua Stream.
- Autumn: Sea-of-clouds vistas from Zhaohai Pavilion.
Practical Tips
- Hours: 7:00–17:30 (Mar–Nov); 8:00–16:00 (Dec–Feb).
- Tickets: ¥100 (peak); ¥50 (off-season).
- Transport:
- From Shanghai: 3-hour high-speed rail to Lianyungang + bus (30 mins).
- Direct flights to Lianyungang Baitabu Airport.
Huaguo Mountain is a living museum of myth and nature—where Journey to the West leaps from pages into towering cliffs and chattering monkeys.