Mount Heng in Hunan

Mount Heng in Hunan, known also as Southern Sacred Mount among the Five Sacred Mountains, lying in Hengshan County of Hunan Province, is hon-ored as the most beautiful one of Five Mountains. It extends 800 kilometers and has 72 peaks. The highest one, named the Zhurong Peak, is about 1,300 meters above sea level, and others such as the Zigai, Guanyin, Baishi and Tianzhu peaks are all over 1,000 meters above sea level. Mount Heng was one of the places where the emperors of all the dynasties held memorial cere-monies, the Buddhist monks and Taoist priests practiced their religions and men of letters traveled. Thus scenic spots and historical sites are scattered throughout the mountain.
Southern Mountain Temple, which covers 100,000 square meters at the southern side of Mount Heng, is one of the most completely preserved ancient architectural complexes in Five Sacred Mountains. Its construction started in the 13ta year of Emperor Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty and continued in the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties. This temple was destroyed by war fire in the last years of the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the 47th year of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. Again it was destroyed in the period of Emperor Tongzhi. The present temple was rebuilt in the 8th year of Emperor Guangxu' s Regime. The main part of the building is the Main Hall where the statue of Zhurong, God of Southern Mountain, was enshrined. Seventy-two stone columns as the symbols of 72 peaks sustain the Main Hall, which is 22 meters high. The whole temple looks splendid and magnificent with its red walls and yellow tiles. Its pine and cypress trees make one feel quiet and se-cluded.
Below the Yanxia Peak, there is Yehou Academy which is connected with Li Mi of the Tang Dynasty. Li Mi (722 - 799 A. D. ) was a politician, the tutor of the prince in the period of Emperor Xuanzong. Through the period of Emperor Xuanzong, Daizong and Dezong, he was promoted to Prime Minister and granted the title of Yehou. The Academy was at first granted as Li Mi' s residence by Emperor Daizong. After his death, his son built an academy named Southern Mountain Academy on the left of the temple to commemorate his father. In the Southern Song Dynasty, the site of the Academy was moved to Jixian Peak. It was rebuilt in the 9th year of Emperor Qianlong' s Regime in the Qing Dynasty and renamed Yehou Academy.
Higher than the other, Zhurong Peak is always covered with mist and clouds. It is said that Zhu Rong, the God of Fire was born and died here and attained his immortality on this peak. That is how its name became Zhurong Peak. On the top is the Zhurong Temple which was used to offer sacrifices to Zhu Rong. Built in the period of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, this temple is unique for its unaffectedness and dignity. The towering Zhurong Peak deserves the so-called "highness. "
The Sutra-Collecting Hall, built in the Southern Dynasty, is named for the Dazang Sutra bestowed by Zhu Yuanzhang, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. It was ruined in fire in the period of Emperor Wanli and rebuilt lat-er. Exotic flowers, rare herbs and old shady trees are abundant there.
Lying below the Lianhua Peak in the middle of Mount Heng, Fangguang Temple was built in the year 503 A.D. It experienced damages through ages and was finally rebuilt in the period of Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dy-nasty. Hidden in the deep valley, the temple is surrounded by multiple moun-tains, doubling back brooks, and an immense forest with quiet paths.
The Water Curtain at the foot of the Zigai Peak is just like the one de-scribed in the novel "The Journey to the West." The 72-meter-high waterfalls rush down vertically, -- a real natural wonder.
After liberation, sanatoriums and hydropower stations were built there. Now Mount Heng has become a resort for travel and convalescence.