Huangpi Mulan Culture Ecological Tourism Area

Huangpi Mulan Culture Ecological Tourism Area is located in Huangpi District, Wuhan City of Hubei Province. It's the hometown of Mulan, a great female general during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420 – 589). The area consists of mainly the Mulan Mountain, Mulan Heavenly Lake, Mulan Grassland and Mulan Yunwu Mountain.

The female gender in the old Chinese feudal society was not allowed to go out of the house, not to mention leading an army to defeat enemies. However, Mu Lan's father was too old to go to the battlefield and so, she disguised herself as a man to join the army. Due to her braveness and talent, she defeated many enemies and became a representative female general in China history.
 With an altitude of 580 meters (1,900 feet), the mountain in Huangpi Mulan Culture Ecological Tourism Area is not only a famous national geological park but also one of the famous Taoism mountains in Hubei Province.

Ancient religious building complex such as the Pavilion of Jade Emperor and Goddess Temple, occupying 30,100 square meters (36,000 square yards), are found up on the mountain. In addition, there are two other areas worth visiting, i.e. the Ancient Village Area and Stone Scenic Area. The Ancient Village Area stands on the top of Qisi Peak, the main peak of Mu Lan Mountain. It has a total area of 3,000 square meters (3,588 square yards). The original ancient village was a beacon tower built in 1259, which in turn was converted into a defense fort in 1853. Its main attractions include the Mu Lan Hall and the South Gate to Heaven. The Stone Scenic Area, on the other hand, has an area of 40,000 square meters (47,800 square yards). Many kind of stones with different shapes display their charm here, with some resembling human faces, chessboard and Buddha, just to name a few.
 It is said that the home of Mulan's grandmother is in the area and young Mu Lan used to practiced martial arts here. The Lake in Huangpi Mulan Culture Ecological Tourism Area occupies 32 square kilometers (12 square miles) and it is famous for its marvelous waterfalls, deep ponds, strange stones and unique trees.

There is a big gorge with a length of 5 kilometers (5,500 yard) which connects a small and a big heavenly lake. The big heavenly lake is actually a reservoir built in 1978. Visitors may trek along this long gorge to reach the big heavenly lake on top of the mountain, where one can have a bird-eye view of the whole Mu Lan Heavenly Lake Scenic Area.

Visitors may explore further by taking a boat or using the ropeway to go across the lake. Ticket for either option is CNY 30 one way.

Two additional bridges were also built, called the Grandmother Bridges. The wooden bridge is in the Grandmother Garden which lies on the top of the mountain; the other is stone-made. Mu Lan would have to pass these two bridges if she was to visit her grandmother.
 This is the only grassland in the central region of China where young Mu Lan always rode horse and practiced martial arts. When she successfully defeated enemy and came back home, some soldiers would follow her. As most of them are nomads, she thus gave the grassland to them, who then regarded this land as their home. Eagles are common here and are considered friendly partners of the nomads. Visitors can try horse riding here too.
 The mountain in Huangpi Mulan Culture Ecological Tourism Area is located in the northwest of Huangpi District. One of the highlights here is the azaleas, which are planted on both sides of the beautiful road called "Flower Road". It is said that there are more than 800 species and their colors   diverse, such as pink, white, and red.

There is also the Longwangjiang Stone Village, built in 1456, on the Mountain. However, although built to protect local people from bandits, there are only relics left now.
 Take bus no. 292 to Diaotaidao New Bus Station (Huangpi District Tourist Dispatch Center); change to the special tourist bus to the scenic site directly.
Wuhan Bus / Metro Search

Bus no. 292 departs from Hankou Railway Station from 06:00 to 21:00. Ticket price is CNY5. The trip takes about 1.5 hours.

The special tourist bus runs from Huangpi District Tourist Dispatch Center to Mu Lan Grassland, Mu Lan Mountain, Mu Lan Heavenly Lake, Mu Lan Yunwu Mountain, and then back to the tourist dispatch center. It departs every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 15:30.
 

		Mulan Mountain	Mulan Heavenly Lake	Mulan Grassland	Mulan Yunwu Mountain
Entrance Fee	Adults	CNY 80	CNY 80	CNY 78	CNY 65
	Chindren between 1.2 and 1.4m (3.9 - 4.6ft)	CNY 40	CNY 40	CNY 39	CNY 35
	Children under 1.2m	Free
Opening Hours		8:00 - 19:00	7:30 - 17:30	8:00 - 16:00	8:00 - 17:30