Longhu Mountain travel guide
龙虎山
Cliff burials have been found not only in East China, but also in the Zhaotong area of distant Yunnan, where large numbers have been uncovered. Judging by the age and number of tombs in the cluster, however,…
6 places · In the guidebook: pages 1463–1469
Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Longhu Mountain in 2 days
- Day 1
- West Coast Scenic Area→
- Shangqing Ancient Town (lunch)→
- Bamboo Raft Pier (bamboo raft ride)→
- Xianshui Cliff (hanging coffin show)→
- Elephant Trunk Hill
- Day 2
- Wuwen Village→
- Zhengyi Temple→
- Luxi River
The feel of the place
- Hanging Coffins
- Cliff burials have been found not only in East China, but also in the Zhaotong area of distant Yunnan, where large numbers have been uncovered. Judging by the age and number of tombs in the cluster, however, Dragon Tiger Mountain's cliff burials may be the foremost in the country. Our ancestors chose to rest amid this tranquil landscape, and in doing so left later generations a puzzle that remains unsolved.
- Ancient Town
- Shangqing Ancient Town once again shows that development and preservation are at odds: because it was hard to reach and cut off from the outside world, the town has survived remarkably intact.
Preparation & Information
Language
Speaking Mandarin is no problem.
Climate & Travel Seasons
Compared with Nanchang, Dragon Tiger Mountain is neither cold in winter nor hot in summer, making it a destination on a par with Mount Lu.
Things to see
Be sure to protect yourself from the sun when rafting on the Luxi River in summer and autumn.
Longhu Mountain Scenic Area
1–2 days · ¥230 (ticket + sightseeing shuttle + bamboo raft ticket)
The long-standing Taoist culture, the distinctive emerald waters and red sandstone cliffs, the mysterious cliff tombs that remain unsolved, and the unrivaled phenomenon of reproductive worship together form the “Four Wonders” of Longhu Mountain Scenic Area, combining its natural and cultural landscapes. Every visitor feels the peculiar and mysterious power of Taoism.
Xiangbi Mountain Scenic Area
Photography · Mountains & Adventure · Nature
Bamboo groves are the biggest highlight of Xiangbi Mountain. Strolling through the hills where the breeze drifts through, the freshness of the bamboo mingles with that of the earth, making it a peaceful place to rest your body and mind. The mountain trails are steep, however, and you will need both stamina and determination to hike them.
Xianshuiyan Scenic Area
Without exaggeration, Xianshuiyan Scenic Area brings together the best of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Green hills, bamboo groves and a jumble of peaks and rocks that look like whatever your imagination suggests are all here. The clear water of the Luxi River and the bamboo rafts gliding across it give the area a calm that city dwellers rarely find. If you have the chance, climb to Xianren City for a view over Xianshuiyan.
Photography · Waterfront · Nature
Wuwen Village
Don't miss the famous Wuwen (Mosquito-Free) Village. Camphor trees are everywhere in the village, and the air is filled with their fragrant camphor scent. The many tree species here are said to produce a combined aroma that keeps mosquitoes away. The camphor smell isn't especially pleasant, though, and while it drives off insects, it can also be overpowering.
Old Towns & Villages
Shangqing Ancient Town
Shangqing nurtured Taoist culture. Without this treasured land, Dragon Tiger Mountain could hardly have become the foremost Taoist mountain in China and the birthplace of Chinese Taoism. In this town with a history of a thousand years, the Heavenly Master Palace, stilted houses and old residences are places you must visit.
Old Towns & Villages · Ethnic Culture
Luxi River Rafting
The most important "viewing platform" on Dragon Tiger Mountain is the bamboo raft. The rafting trip takes nearly 30 minutes, from the dock all the way to the hanging coffin performance site, and the rock formations along the way are so varied that "thrilling" hardly does it justice!
Mountains & Adventure · Nature
Getting there & around
Getting There & Away
Dragon Tiger Mountain is just 16 km from Yingtan City, making Yingtan an important transit hub for reaching it.
Rail
Yingtan is a rail transfer hub between North and South China. Especially since the opening of the Yingtan–Xiamen Railway, it sits at the junction of three main lines: the Zhejiang–Jiangxi, Anhui–Jiangxi and Yingtan–Xiamen lines. Most trains departing from Shanghai stop at Yingtan, and for north-south services it is also a major station.
Festivals
1. Taoist Culture Festival: A major Taoist gathering held every two years at Dragon Tiger Mountain, drawing Taoist believers from across China and overseas.
2. Dragon Tiger Mountain Camping Festival: Each year, during the best camping season, travellers from across the country gather at Dragon Tiger Mountain for a grand tent festival. Lovers of outdoor adventure can certainly get their fill of camping amid the stunning scenery!
Convenient Coach Services
1. Nanchang Long-Distance Bus Station runs 12 coaches daily to Yingtan, roughly one an hour, with a journey time of 2.5 hours. The Yingtan city bus company also operates many buses decorated with 'Dragon Tiger Mountain Tour' livery, shuttling between the city centre and Dragon Tiger Mountain.
2. From the bus stop at Yingtan Railway Station, take Bus K2 to the final stop, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Visitor Centre.
Village Chicken Eggs
While rafting, if you spot local farmers paddling bamboo rafts selling tea eggs, be sure to buy some and try them. These eggs are laid by village chickens and taste wonderfully fragrant.
Roads
National Highways 206 (Yantai–Shantou) and 320 (Shanghai–Ruili) both pass through Yingtan, making it an important transport hub for Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang and Anhui.
Yingtan Railway Station
Rail- Phone:
- 0701-7022322
- 'Ten Don'ts' Sights Nun Carrying a Monk: do not walk Fairy Pairing: do not match Lotus Hat: do not wear Immortal Peach: do not eat Alchemy Ladle: do not use Taoist Hall: do not sit Cloud Brocade: do not drape Stone Drum: do not strike Sword Stone: do not test Jade Comb: do not comb
Yingtan Long-Distance Bus Station
Roads- Address:
- No. 18, Longhushan Avenue, Tianjie Road, Yingtan City
- Phone:
- 0701-6468815
Eat & drink
Dragon Tiger Mountain's cuisine falls into two styles: Jiangxi home cooking and Taoist cuisine.
Jiangxi cuisine is quite spicy for those who don't eat chilli. Among the Taoist dishes, the Heavenly Master Eight Trigrams Feast (天师八卦宴) and Shangqing tofu are especially famous. Though made from vegetarian ingredients, they look and taste wonderfully appealing when served. In Shangqing Ancient Town you can sample both styles, and Taoist cuisine is of course the first choice, since eating it might even lend you a touch of immortal grace (仙风道骨).
Other local specialities include shredded bamboo shoots with cured pork, Dragon Tiger bitter greens, Xianggu Huorou (香菇活肉), na greens (捺菜), Yujiang dried eggplant and lamp-wick cake (灯芯糕).
Restaurant Street & Local Snacks
1. In front of Xianshui Cliff is a restaurant street with decent flavours and affordable prices.
2. Chestnut zongzi and Heavenly Master sesame cakes are snacks you won't find elsewhere. Locals hawk them along the Luxi River. If you don't spot any, just ask a local and they'll gladly flag down a vendor for you.
Hongyun Country Cuisine Restaurant
Recommended RestaurantsThe restaurant sits opposite the Dragon Tiger Mountain car park and is easy to find. Portions are generous and the food is tasty; the Shangqing tofu is excellent. Although it's inside the scenic area, prices are still reasonable, and the owner is very friendly.
- Address:
- No. 23, Luxi River Road
- Phone:
- 13970156779
Where to stay
You can stay in either Yingtan or within the Dragon Tiger Mountain scenic area, but it's recommended to stay inside the scenic area to truly experience rural pastoral life.
Dragon Tiger Mountain Daoyuan Villa
Recommended AccommodationTranquil surroundings give the feeling of living as a recluse in the mountains. Directly opposite the hotel is the starting point of the Dragon Tiger Mountain scenic shuttle bus, making sightseeing very convenient.
- Address:
- No. 9, Paiyashi Avenue
- Phone:
- 13607015660
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1463–1469. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version