Mt.Song (Songshan Mountain)

 

Shaolin Temple and a large architectural complex are always reminded when Mt.Song or Songshan Mountain is mentioned. Mt. Song is the classical sacred mountain among Chinese famous mountains. It is more famous for its culture and history than its natural landscape. To some extent, it would be called the cultural or religious holy-land rather than a picturesque mountain. Actually Mt. Song leaves us too much. Its existence is much more significant than the historical records or narrations in biography. In some ways, Henan is one center of Chinese ancient civilization, and Mt. Song is of course the center of Henan ancient civilization, and the symbol of Chinese mountain culture.

Mt.Song or Songshan Mountain is located in the northwest side of Dengfeng City of Henan province. Mt. Song boasts the Middle Sacred Mountain. In 1982, in the name of Henan Songshan Mountain Scenic Area, Mt. Song was ranked the First Batch of National Scenic Area List. In 2004, Mt.Song was selected as World Geological Park by UNESCO. In 2007, Mt.Song was approved to be Chinese Five-A Travel Scenic Area. In 2009, Mt. Song was approved to compete for World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Mt. Song or Songshan Mountain is well-known as the museum of Chinese historical development.

Chinese three idea systems (Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism) meet here. On the mountain, a large number of ancient relics and historic buildings are available. Shaolin Temple as the cradle-land of Zen Philosophy of Chinese Buddhism is located here. The Pagoda Forest of Shaolin Temple is the world largest pagoda forest of Buddhism. Pagoda of Songyue Temple established in North Wei Dynasty is Chinese oldest pagoda. The world oldest cypress tree called Jiangjun Bai or General Cypress royally named by Emperor of Han Dynasty is over there. Chinese oldest Observatory of Stars named Gaocheng Observatory in Yuan Dynasty also can be seen on the mountain. Zhongyue Temple located on Taishi Peak was built in Qin Dyansty, and widely popularized in Tang and Song Dynasties; Zhongyue Temple has the largest temple building complex in Henan province. Songyang Academy is also available and it was leveled with White-Deer Grotto Academy, Yuelu Academy, Suiyang Academy. There are also the Fawang Temple, Xuanyuan Pass and Lixue Pavilion built to commemorate Hui Ke who was a monk that cut his arm in pursuit of truth.

Mt. Song or Songshan Mountain is the sacred land collecting Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Taoism was earlier shown. Buddhism in Songshan Mountain is world-famous for its Shaolin Temple and Shaoshi Peak. Shaolin temple’s mystery and power in Kungfu research and exercise brings itself the reputation of Cradle of World Kungfu.