Longzhong Scenic Area

Longzhong was known by the world as where Zhu Geliang, a great politician, strategist, diplomat, writer, calligrapher as well as inventor with great wisdom and resourcefulness of the Three Kingdoms (220 - 280 AD) lived a reclusive life in his youth. It is located in Xiangyang City, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest of Wuhan, Hubei Province. With a history of over 1,700 years, Longzhong Scenic Area combines the culture of the Three Kingdoms with picturesque natural scenery. Currently, Longzhong Scenic Area has five main scenic areas for tourists to visit: Ancient Longzhong, Shuijingzhuang, Chengen Temple, Qili Mountain and Hezichuan. 
 

Ancient Longzhong is the main scenic area to visit in Longzhong Scenic Area. Zhu Geliang once lived in seclusion here for more than 10 years from 17 to 27 years old. The famous story “Sincerity” which tells of Liubei, the founder of the Kingdom of Shu (221 - 263 AD), sincerely inviting Zhu Geliang three times to assist him, and the famous talk “Longzhong Talk” which contributes to the situation of the Three Kingdoms, both happened here. Hence, Ancient Longzhong is also known as “the cradle of the wise”. There are some relics and some constructions built to remember Zhu Geliang by the later generations.
 

The Stone Archway, built in 1893, is a landmark of Ancient Longzhong. It is a wood-like stone archway with a height of 6 meters (20 feet) and a width of 10 meters (33 feet). There are four columns, three pass ways.
 

Zhuge Thatched Cottage is an imitation of Zhu Geliang’s residence where he studied, farmed and lived. It is in the style of the Han Dynasty (202 BC– 220 AD) . 
 

There is a large area of stone forest resembling a lying dragon on the mountain slope, hence the name. Experts and scholars believe that this may be a large fossil land. Under the stone forest, there is a crescent spring pouring out water all the year which is worth a visit, too. 
 

Tenglong Tower, at the top of Longzhong Mountain, is the best spot to overview Xiangyang City. Looking from outside, it has five floors, but it actually has nine inside. The third, fifth, seventh and ninth floors are the observation decks and what you will see and feel are very different at different floors. 
 

Hexagonal Well is the only remaining relic of Zhu Geliang. The well was originally 15 meters (49 feet) deep according to the historical records but is only 5 meters (16 feet) now due to the long-term mud accumulation. However, the water is still pure and clear. 
 

There are also Wuhou Temple, Baoxi Temple, Longzhong Academy, Zhuge Heptachord Hall, Sangu Hall, Longzhong Peony Garden, etc in Ancient Longzhong to help visitors learn of the early life of Zhu Geliang thoroughly. 
 

It is the residence of Si Mahui, a person with a literary reputation in the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220 AD). Shuijing Zhuang is a charming scenic area surrounded by hills and waters. 
 

The ancient temple was first built in the Sui Dynasty (581 - 618 AD) with a history of more than 1,700 years. But many buildings are preserved till today like the Daxiong Hall, the Bell and Drum Tower, the Pilu Buddha, the Maitreya Buddha, and the Bronze Bell which weighs over 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds) were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD).
 

It is connected to Ancient Longzhong in the east, Wudang Mountain in the west, Cheng’en Temple in the north and Shuijingzhuang in the south. With an area of 17.5 square kilometers (6.8 square miles) and a forest coverage rate of 90%, it has both natural scenery like Heiyan Forest, Peach Blossom Valley, Lion Mountain, and cultural relics like Lingguan Temple, Five Dragon Temple and Qingliang Temple. 
 

There are cultural landscapes such as the Royal Tombs of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC - 9 AD), Empyrean Fairy Cave and natural landscapes such as Wolong Karst Cave…
 

1. Take bus line 512 or 543 and get off at West Gate of Hubei University of Arts and Science, walk along Longzhong Avenue for 900 meters (980 yards) to get there. 

2. Take bus line 901 and get off at Ancient Longzhong Visitor Center Station.