Wanfo Mountain is located in Taipingyan Village, Linkou Town, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province. It is a national-level scenic area and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area covers a total area of 168 square kilometers and consists of five major scenic zones: Wanfo Mountain, Ziyun Mountain, Qixing Mountain, Shenxian Cave, and Jiangjun Mountain. It is characterized by Danxia landforms and boasts China's largest Danxia peak forest landform cluster, with a total of 68 peaks of various sizes, 28 of which are over 500 meters above sea level, with the highest elevation at 635 meters. The scenic area is densely vegetated, with a forest coverage rate of over 95%, and an extremely high negative oxygen ion content in the air, making it a natural oxygen bar.
History and Culture
Wanfo Mountain has a long historical and cultural heritage. According to research, traces of human activity have been found here as early as the Neolithic Age. Shenxian Cave within the scenic area was once a Buddhist holy site. The stone carvings and inscriptions preserved in the cave record the history of the spread of Buddhism in the local area. Among them, the Shenxian Cave grotto statues were carved during the Song Dynasty, with a total of 108 Buddha statues, making it one of the largest and best-preserved Buddhist grotto statue groups discovered in Hunan Province.
In addition, Wanfo Mountain is also one of the important birthplaces of Dong culture. The local Dong people have lived and multiplied here, creating a unique Dong culture, such as the Dong chorus, Dong brocade, and Dong flute. The Dong village buildings within the scenic area have a unique architectural style, and the wind-and-rain bridges, drum towers, and other buildings are well preserved, showcasing the wisdom and creativity of the Dong people.
Main Attractions
Wanfo Mountain Main Peak
The main peak of Wanfo Mountain is 635 meters above sea level and is the core attraction of the scenic area. Climbing to the main peak, visitors can take in the surrounding Danxia peak forest, presenting the magnificent scene of "Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage." The summit also preserves the remains of a Ming Dynasty temple and cliff inscriptions, which have high historical and cultural value.
South Sea Divine Turtle
It is a typical pictographic Danxia landscape. The mountain shape is square and steady, resembling a divine turtle lying prone in the blue sea. The dense vegetation on its back looks like moss covering the divine turtle's body. With its raised shell, curved neck, and slightly lifted head, the cluster of green in the middle of its head is its blinking eyes.
Money-Grabbing Tree
With Wanfo Mountain as the core, there are Wanfu Mountain, Wanlu Mountain, Wanshou Mountain, and Wanxi Mountain around it. It is precisely this land that gathers wealth and treasures. This plant has its roots basically exposed outside the stone wall, as if it needs to absorb more of Wanfo Mountain's spiritual energy, using its vines to grasp more wealth and blessings and prevent them from flowing away. It is hoped that all tourists entering Wanfo Mountain can, like this plant, ascend the golden summit with a pious heart and bring back blessings, prosperity, longevity, joy, and wealth to their family and friends.
Wanfo Golden Summit
At an elevation of 635 meters, legend has it that this place was once all cliffs and precipices with no path up or down. However, a monk meditated here on Buddhist teachings and suddenly a golden light appeared from his head, illuminating the entire mountain with brilliant radiance. Nearby villagers came to worship one after another, saying that this was the manifestation of a Bodhisattva, and so they gathered everyone's strength to open a path to the summit.
Tour Route：
Covered Bridge → South Sea Divine Turtle Viewing Platform → Money-Grabbing Tree → Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage Viewing Platform → Climb to Wanfo Golden Summit → Return by the same route.
Tour Suggestions：
It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and athletic clothing to facilitate mountain climbing and hiking.
Carry enough drinking water and snacks. There are few shops in the scenic area, and prices are relatively high.
When visiting in summer, pay attention to sun protection and heat prevention. You may bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and other items.
When visiting in winter, pay attention to keeping warm. The temperature on the mountain is relatively low, so you may bring a down jacket, scarf, gloves, and other items.
Respect local customs and religious beliefs. Keep quiet when entering temples and do not make loud noises.
Precautions：
The mountain roads in the scenic area are steep. Pay attention to safety when climbing and do not climb undeveloped areas.
The ground inside Shenxian Cave is slippery. Pay attention to slip prevention to avoid falling.
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Please care for the environment and keep the scenic area clean.
When taking the scenic area shuttle bus, observe boarding order and do not crowd or scramble for seats.
In case of severe weather or emergencies, follow the arrangements of scenic area staff and evacuate dangerous areas in a timely manner.
Transportation：
By plane: You can fly to Huaihua Zhijiang Airport, then take the airport shuttle bus to Huaihua City, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, and finally take a taxi or scenic area shuttle bus to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area.
By train: You can take a train to Huaihua Station, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, and finally take a taxi or scenic area shuttle bus to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area.
By car: Starting from Huaihua City, drive along the Baotou-Maoming Expressway, exit at the Tongdao Dong Autonomous County exit, then drive along National Highway 209 to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area. The total distance is about 180 kilometers, and the drive takes about 2.5 hours.
Scenic area shuttle bus: There are shuttle buses from Tongdao Dong Autonomous County to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area every day. Departure times are 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00.
Opening Hours：
Open all year round, with opening hours from 8:00 to 17:30. It may be temporarily closed in special weather.
Tickets：
The ticket price is 68 yuan per person.