Yuelu Mountain lies in the west bank of Xiang River in Changsha City. There are a lot of scenic spots in the Mountain.
The ancient Lushan Temple on the hill slope, built in A.D. 268 by Emperor Wu of the Western Jin Dynasty (263-316), is one of the oldest monasteries in Hunan. The huge yew podocarpus tree standing in front of the temple is said to be more than 1,700 years old. There is a clear spring near the temple, named White Crane Spring (Baihequan), whose water, when boiled, gives off whirling steam said to look like a flying crane. The Loving Youth Pavilion (Aiwanting) at the foot of the hill was built in 1792 during the Qing Dynasty; the beauty of this spot, with its blossoming peach trees, graceful willows, and flowing streams has attracted many poets and artists.
The Yuelu Academy of classical Learning, hidden in the woods, was built at the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and was one of the greatest classical academies of that time. Zhu Xi (1130-1200), a famous Confucianist philosopher, used to teach here. The late leader of the Chinese revolution, Mao Zedong, also studied here.
Other places of interest to tourists include King Yu's Stele (yuwangbei); the tomb of Huang Xing, a martyr who gave his life to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty; the tomb of Cai E, a general of the Northern expedition against the traitor Yuan Shikai in late 1910s; Snake Cave (Mangshedong); and the legendary Rock That Flew Over (Feilaishi).
Yuelu Mountain is charming all year round, with pink peach blossoms and green willows in spring, a pleasant climate in summer, colorful maple trees in Autumn and snow-covered evergreens in winter.
