The Zhugudong Scenic Area is located in Suiping County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national geological park, and a national forest park. The scenic area covers a total area of 148 square kilometers, with the main peak at an altitude of 786 meters. It is known for its peculiar granite landform landscape and has long been praised as the "Central Plains Miniature Landscape," the "Chinese Totem Forest," and the "Geological Museum." Zhugudong is one of the places where the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West was created, and it was also a major location for the filming of CCTV's Journey to the West sequel.
History and Culture
Zhugudong was formed during the Yanshanian orogeny about 120 million years ago. Its unique granite peak forest landform is a geological wonder rare in China and even in the world. Wu Cheng'en, a famous writer of the Ming Dynasty, once traveled here, and the strange peaks and rocks of Zhugudong provided inspiration for his creation of Journey to the West.
Within the scenic area, historical relics such as the Tomb of the King of Wu from the Spring and Autumn Period, the Zhugudong Temple from the Tang Dynasty, and the Chaoyang Temple from the Ming Dynasty still exist. Literary figures of past dynasties, such as Li Bai and Ouyang Xiu, all visited here and left poems.
In 2004, Zhugudong was listed as a national geological park; in 2015, it was upgraded to a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.
Main Attractions
South Mountain Gate
The main entrance of the scenic area, designed with the theme of Journey to the West, features sculptures of characters such as Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie. In the square inside the gate, visitors can see the landmark landscape of Zhugudong, the "Master and Disciples Seeking Scriptures" rock, which resembles Tang Monk and his three disciples traveling west.
Stone Monkey Garden
A concentration of strange rock formations resembling monkeys. Among them, the most famous is the "Wukong Rock," about 30 meters high, which closely resembles Sun Wukong gazing into the distance. It is one of the most representative landscapes in the scenic area.
One-Line Sky
A narrow passage formed by two huge rocks about 100 meters high. The narrowest part allows only one person to pass sideways. Looking up, only a thin strip of blue sky can be seen, making it thrilling and exciting.
Flying Rock
A huge rock weighing hundreds of tons hangs suspended between two peaks. It seems about to fall at any moment yet has stood for thousands of years, making it a geological wonder.
Tianmo Lake
An alpine lake with a water surface area of about 150,000 square meters. The lake water is crystal clear. Surrounded by strange peaks, their reflections in the lake make it look like a fairyland. Visitors can take a boat tour to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery.
Tour Route：
Recommended tour route: South Mountain Gate → take the sightseeing bus to Stone Monkey Garden → One-Line Sky → Flying Rock → Tianmo Lake (boat ride) → Zhugudong Temple → return. Visitors with good stamina can choose to hike up the mountain.
Tour Suggestions：
It is recommended to wear comfortable, non-slip hiking shoes.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for visiting, with pleasant weather.
Photography enthusiasts may bring wide-angle lenses to photograph the strange rocks.
There are restaurants in the scenic area, and visitors may also bring their own snacks and water.
Avoid peak periods on holidays and choose weekdays for visiting.
Combining the visit with the story of Journey to the West makes it more interesting.
Precautions：
Some sections of the road are steep, so pay attention to safety.
Do not climb the rocks; protect the geological relics.
Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area.
Keep personal belongings safe.
In case of thunderstorms, mountaineering activities should be suspended.
Observe the regulations of the scenic area and do not enter unopened areas.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From the direction of Zhengzhou, take the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway and get off at Suiping Station, then drive about 10 kilometers along the Suicha Highway.
Bus: There are direct tourist shuttle buses to the scenic area from the Zhumadian bus station.
High-speed rail: Take the high-speed rail to Zhumadian West Station, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus, which takes about 40 minutes.
Airplane: The nearest airport is Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, about a 2-hour drive from the scenic area.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. Opening hours are 7:30-18:00 (peak season) and 8:00-17:30 (off-season). A full tour takes about 4-6 hours, and it is recommended to reserve a full day.
Tickets：
The ticket price is 65 yuan per person.