Mount Mingyue is located 31 kilometers southwest of Yichun city, in Jiangxi Province of China. It is featured by the charming natural scenery, rare selenium hot springs and centuries-old Zen culture. Mingyue Mountain consists of tens of mountains such as Taiping Mountain, Yujing Mountain, Lao Mountain and Yangshan. Since the highest peak looks like a semicircle, hence the name Mingyue Mountain which means bright moon in English. The Mingyue Mountain can be divided into five scenic areas and a resort. Tourists may view the waterfalls, sunrise, odd rocks, and precious plant and wild animals in these areas.
Highlight:
Tourists can’t miss enjoying the hot springs here. The temperature of the hot springs is about 68 C – 72 C all year round. There are over 20 minerals which are beneficial to people’s health from the springs. After a hard trip, it will be a great relaxation to enjoy the hot springs.
The Zen culture is also a great feature of Mount Mingyue. As long as the West Han Dynasty, the temples had already existed here and lots of people gathered here for worshipping. Many foreign shamans from India, Japan and Korea visited here. Hundreds of Zen towers of the Tang, Song, Ming and Qing dynasties have been discovered in this area.
Hot springs:
Wentang is the place for enjoying the hot springs. It is a small town near Mount Mingyue (16 km away). Many people recommend a hotel named Dikangjushanhuiliaoyangyuan. The cost is only 120 rmb for a standard room. This hotel is a little bit old but Wentang’s best hot spring is close to it. You can get a discount for this hot spring if you live here.(50 rmb for a person) If you forget to bring your swimsuit, you can get one at a very low price here (Only 10-30 rmb). The opening hours for this hot spring is 10:00-22:30. The water temperature of this hot spring is about 40 C and you will be able to see the blue sky and beautiful mountains when enjoying the hot spring.
Tips:
(1). Your first step for your Mount Mingyue travel is watching the weather forecast. A lot of web sites can provide weather forecast service for your China travel.
(2). Medicine for the heart disease patients, just in case.
(3). Listen to your tour guide’s advice if you have one.
(4). You’d better choose the telpher if you are not in a very good physical condition. Climbing this big mountain need too much energy.
(5). There is no hotels or hostels when climbing the Mount Mingyue. You can only find a place to live on the summit of this mountain. The conditon of these hostels are not very good. (Cost only 20 rmb for a bed) If you plan to visit Mount Mingyue during the holidays, you will need to make a reservation first.
(6). If you are from Nanchang, you can choose this route: Yichun-Yaoqian-Wentang-Mount Mingyue. If you are from Hunan, you can go this way: Yichunxichun-Shatian-Wentang-Mount Mingyue. When you reach the entrance of Mount Mingyue, you will see the telpher. The cost is 55 rmb for going up, 45 rmb for going down. There is a hilly road for Mount Mingyue but it is too dangerous for the tourists to drive. You can’t drive your own car to the summit of Mount Mingyue without a permission.
(7). Mount Mingyue is very big and you’d better get a tour guide. If you don’t like any travel agency, you can choose to visit here with several friends. Remember not to enter the undeveloped places, you will get lost easily in this big mountain.
(8). Don’t put too many things to your bag if you plan to climb this mountain. The only thing you will need is water.