Huaguoshan Scenic Spot
General introduction to Huanguoshan Scenic Spot
The name of Huaguoshan means a place rich in flowers and fruits. It is a famous scenic spot vividly depicted in the story of Journey to the West, which is usually known as Monkey King to westerners. It is about seven kilometers (about four miles) away from urban Lianyunguang City. Having an altitude of 625 meters (about 0.4 miles), it is the highest mountain of the Yuntai Mountain Range. There are more than 100 scenic spots in the Huaguoshan Scenic Spot, most of which are connected with the story of Monkey King. Visitors will have the feeling of being in Heaven when they travel here.
About the Book Journey to the West
Usually known to the western readers as Monkey King or the TV Serial Monkey, the book Journey to the West is one of the four most famous literary books in Chinese history. It is based upon a true story about a monk called Xuan Zang set in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), who went on foot to today's India to seek for sutra, the holy book of Buddhism, eventually arriving after years of trials and tribulations. In the story, Monkey King is one of Xuan Zang's four apprentices. He has vast magic powers and is quite wise. With his help, they undergo 81 dangers before finally getting the sutra.
In the tale, Monkey King is born out of rock in Huaguoshan, and later he chooses the Water Curtain Cave as his home. In China, Monkey King is the symbol of wisdom, braveness, and faithfulness.
Scenic Spots on the Mountain
Natural Sceneries:
Water Curtain Cave
This is the place where Monkey King lives and plays with the other monkeys in Journey to the West, and it is also the place that most sightseers look forward to visiting. In fact, this cave is a big crack that is covered by a waterfall. On both sides of this waterfall are some inscriptions carved on the stone. Due to the story, this cave possesses something magical and mysterious.
The South Gate of the Heaven
The South Gate of the Heaven is said to be the outer door of Lingxiao Palace of the Jade Emperor (Supreme Deity of Taoism) in the Heaven. Each time Monkey King encounters difficulty, he will go through this gate and ask for help from the other gods in the Heaven.
Yunv Peak
This is one of the highlights of the visit. Yunv Peak is the highest point in Jiangsu Province. If lucky enough, visitors can watch sunrise from Yinshu Pavilion. Another scenic spot is the sea of clouds. The clouds roll like the waves in the sea. At this spot, visitors will have the feeling that they have entered Heaven, just like the Monkey King.
Yixiantian
Yixiantian is a scenic spot made up of giant stones and caves which connect with one another. Yixiantian means that there is only a little distance between two giant stones, which are very high and large. The distance is so slim that only one person can go through at any time.
Historical Attractions
Asoka Pagoda
Asoka was a ruler of the Mauryan Dynasty in the 3rd Century BC, who waged some of the bloodiest wars in Indian history. He was later overcome by remorse for the death and destruction he had unleashed, and went on to become a religious visionary, spreading the word of Buddha. First built in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), Asoka Pagoda in Haiqing Temple is about 40 meters (about 131 feet) high. It is the highest and oldest pagoda in existence in northern Jiangsu Province. Though having such a long history, it has withstood one magnitude 8.5 earthquake.
Admission Fee: CNY 100
Bus Route: 101,102, Tourist Bus No.2