Top Ten Famous Mountains in China, Most Beautiful Mountains in China

When talking about the famous mountains in China, Chinese people usually refer to the Five Great Mountains and the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism. Most of them boast religious significance, of either Taoism or Buddhism; some have become the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here below you will find more details regarding these well-known mountains in China.

Yellow Mountain in Anhui

Of all the notable mountains in China, Yellow Mountain (黄山 or Huangshan in Chinese) is probably the most charming one. Located in Aunhui Province of China, Yellow Mountain is famed for its wondrous pines, unique peaks, sea of clouds and hot springs. It also boasts abundant resources and great variety of zoological species. The beauty of the mountain varies with the seasons. It is designated as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

Yellow Mountain

Mt. Wutai in Shanxi

Located in northeastern Shanxi province, Mount Wutai (五台山) is a holy land of Chinese Buddhism. It bears the name because of the five rounded peaks (North, South, West, East, Central). The mountain is home to many of China's most important monasteries and temples, among which Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple are the two oldest well-preserved wooden structures in China.

Mount Tai in Shangdong

Regarded as the foremost of the Five Great Mountains, Mount Tai (泰山)is a mountain of historical and cultural significance. It is a place of imperial worship culture and served as one of the most important ceremonial sites. About 80% of its area is covered with vegetation of almost 1,000 species. Towering with 1545m (5,069 ft), Jade Emperor Peak is the tallest peak of Mount Tai. Mount Tai has been recognized as a World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Mt. Hua in Shaanxi

Mt. Hua (华山)is known as the most precipitous mountain in the world and the highest one among the Five Great Mountains (五岳)in China. Besides its majestic breath-taking crags, steep paths, beautiful scenery, deep and narrow creeks, Mt. Hua is also the holy land of Taoism where emperors made pilgrimages in the past. The Cloister of the Jade Spring is the most reputable temple at the foot of the mountain.

Huashan Mountain Xian

Mt. Lu in Jiangxi

As one of the most renowned mountains in China, Mount Lu (庐山)is spectacular with some 100 peaks being veiled in mist for 191 days annually on average. Widely known for its grandeur, steepness, and beauty, Mount Lu is also home to the world famous lu shan tea. What’s more, Mount Lu is reputed as a perfect summer resort, owning to its particular coolness in the summer.

Mt. Emei in Sichuan

Mount Emei (峨眉山) is a famous sightseeing attraction and one of the sacred mountains of Buddhism standing in the southwest of Sichuan Province. Seen from a distance, the jagged mountain of Emei looks like a girl's eyebrows, hence the name. The Golden Summit gathers the most famous spectacles, which are Sunrise, Clouds Sea, Buddha’s Aurora and Saint Light. Mt. Emei was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Mt. Everest in Tibet

In 1865, Everest (珠峰) was given its official English name by Andrew Waugh, a surveyor from the British Royal Geographical Society. Stood in southern Tibet, Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world with a height of 8,848 m above sea level. Its body resembles the shape of a pyramid and its peak stabbed the sky. The golden period for mountain goers to visit Mt. Everest is from April to June. It is a Mecca for mountaineers, and every year hundreds of them are here and try to conquer the highest peak of the world.

Mount Everest

Mt. Changbai (长白山) in Jilin

The name Changbai literally means "Perpetually White Mountain " in Chinese. The rugged terrain of Mt. Changbai provides shelter for many rare animals, such as bears, and Siberian tigers. There are innumerable hot springs and more than 1,500 species of plants distributing in the forests of the mountain. What’s more, Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve was involved in the UNESCO's "Man and Biosphere" program in 1980 and becomes part of the world's biosphere reserves.

Mt. Wuyi in Fujian

Isolated from the outside world by streams and ravines, Mt. Wuyi (武夷山) is often called the "number one scenic wonder in Southeast China”. It is the most outstanding biodiversity conservation zone of Southeast China and the most representative example of Chinese subtropical forests. Numerous types of tea are produced around Mount Wuyi, such as Da Hong Pao tea and Lapsang souchong. The mountain was inscribed into the list of World cultural and natural Heritage Sites in 1999.

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Mt. Wudang (武当山) in Hubei

As an old saying goes: "Shaolin Wushu (martial arts) is the best in the north of China, while Wudang’s ranks top in the south." Located in Shiyan in western Hubei, Mt. Wudang is both a famous scenic spot and a holy mountain of Taoism in China. It represents the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. Noted temples include the Golden Hall, Nanyan Temple and the Purple Cloud Temple.

Wudang Mountain