The Lushan UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the northern part of Jiangxi Province, Eastern China, borders the third longest river in the world, the Yangtze River in her north, and Poyang Lake the largest fresh water lake in China in her east. The Geopark covers an area of 548km2,which boast stunning landscapes that are both gentle and precipitous with seamless integration of mountain, river and the lake. China’s longest river and the third longest river in the world, the great Yangtze River, China’s biggest fresh water lake, the vast Poyang Lake and the beautiful Mount Lushan harmoniously integrated into a magnificent scenery. The mountain range has an average elevation of 1200m, with its highest peak, Hangyang Peak, measuring at an elevation of 1474m. In 1996, Lushan was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage list as China’s first World Heritage Cultural Landscape. In 2004, Lushan became one of the first members of Global Geopark Network.
Lushan is well-known for her unique multi-genetic complex landscape made up of typical east China mountain quaternary glaciations, horst fault-blocking and metamorphic core complex structures and water erosion landforms. Lushan is the birthplace of Chinese Quaternary Glaciation Theory started by the renowned Chinese geologist Li Siguang, which attracted long-term world wide attention and made Lushan an important focus for natural science research of international community. Her landforms are closely integrated with botany, culture and history.
So far, discovered in Lushan, there are more than 100 important geo-relics, which recorded the entire process of snow and ice accumulation, glacier formation and movement, rock erosion and transport, and boulder clay sedimentation They are the historic record of paleo-climatic changes and geo-features in east China. Lushan Quaternary glaciers movements have many similarities with the ones in European Alps and North America, which are of global comparative significance and high scientific value in global paleoclimate changes and geological history research.
Lushan’s geology are closely linked to plants, culture, and history, creating a unique cultural background.
The unique geographical location , the complex and diverse geomorphology, and climate environment of Lushan, provide favourable conditions for flora evolution and development. Lushan has rich plant species. There are 2092 native vascular plants, including 1 species under first-grade state protection, and 13 species under second-grade state protection. There are 33 species of plants first discovered in or named after Mt. Lushan (Kuling).
Mt. Lushan is an isolated mountain located in the center of the vast Middle-lower Yangtze Plain, which is a land of fish and rice with a long history of agricultural development. Lushan is a natural “sanctuary” for wild animals on the great plain. Research results show that Lushan has 342 species of vertebrates, including 17 species of fish, 40 species of mammals, 219 species of birds, 42 species of reptiles, and 24 species of amphibians. There are 67 species of insects first discovered in or named after Mt. Lushan (Kuling).
In 126 BC, Sima Qian ascended Mt. Lushan, 30 years later he wrote in his masterpiece “Shi Ji/Historical Records–The Book of Rivers and Canals”: “I ascended Mt. Lushan and observed the rivers and lakes around the mountain, and admired the tamed floods by Dayu the Great King.”Lushan witnessed the great event of controlling flood hazards in ancient China. And that is the earliest record of Lushan in history. The ancient historical and geographical masterpiece “Shanhaijing/The Classic of Mountains and Seas” called Lushan the Capital of the Emperor. In 1618, geographer, explorer, writer Xu Xiake of Ming Dynasty visited Lushan and wrote travel notes.The opening chapter of his geography book “Xu Xiake’s Travel Notes” became the source of China’s Tourism Day. In 1930’s well-known Chinese geologist Li Siguang established Chinese Quaternary Glaciation Theory in Lushan.
Spring in Lushan is dreamy with fog; Summer is cool and pleasant. Autumn decorates the hillsides with a myriad of colours, and winter blankets the mountain in snow that transforms it into a magical crystal world.
There are areas of fantastic natural beauty, including dense forest, running streams, waterfalls, gorges, ridges and peaks. Foreign villas from different periods and different styles of architecture are scattered among the mountain, bringing hints of an unusual history to the landscape. Five religious cultures coexist in harmony here. Along with the villas, the multiple religions that have come to the mountain have also ingratiated the landscape with various churches and temples.The awe inspiring landscapes, a strong historical inheritance and intercultural development of deep Chinese and western culture roots make this a cultural sacred mountain.
Lushan’s wonderful geological landscape and natural environment have been highly favored by artists, writers, and philosophers and provides unlimited inspiration for them. Lushan’s natural wonders have been the inspiration for many resounding poems and paintings that are inseparable from both China’s and its own profound histories. 4000 men of letters visited Lushan and composed 16000 poems and verses, and inscribed 1000 tablet inscriptions and stone carvings. Lushan is the birthplace of Chinese landscape painting and landscape poetry. Lushan is one of the spiritual centres of Chinese civilization.
Donglin Temple (literally “East Grove Temple”) is located at the foot of the mountain. It was built by Hui Yuan in 386 AD and is well known and celebrated for how long it has endured. It is the place where Chinese Pure Land Sect Buddhism originated. White Deer Cave Academy, which dates back to 940 AD, is located at the foot of Wu Lao Peak and is often regarded as the greatest of the four ancient Academies of Classical Chinese learning.
The White Deer Cave Academy represents Chinese Neo-Confucianism with 700 years history, which left significant influence on education history in China and the world. Lushan is the birthplace of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. Lushan’s unique geographical and natural environment has created a landscape of waterfalls and springs, excellent water quality, and produced a unique Lushan Cloud and Mist Tea and Lushan Tea and Spring Landscape Culture. More than 600 well preserved villas with architecture styles of over 20 western countries in modern times have made Lushan a museum of modern villa architecture, reflecting the integration of Chinese and Western cultures. Lushan Botanical Garden, built in 1934, is the first sub-alpine botanical garden in China.
