Chuzhou: Langya Mountain, Pavilions and Temples

The Langya Shan scenic area southwest of Chuzhou combines historic buildings and inscriptions with a forested mountain landscape. Langya Mountain is part of the eastern foothills of the Huaiyang Mountains. It was named after a title of nobility held by an emperor of the Eastern Jin dynasty. This gives your trip planning a clear focus: Langya Shan brings together the history of the Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man and Langya Temple, as well as scenic viewpoints and a historic path.

Area and orientation in Langya Shan

Two different area figures are relevant for getting your bearings. The Langya Shan scenic area covers 4.98 square kilometers and is divided into five zones. These include the cultural and experience zone around the Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man, Tongle Garden, Nantian Gate, and the recreation area by Shensiu Lake. The larger Langya Shan scenic area covers 115 square kilometers and includes the areas around the Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man, Puxian, and Qingliu Pass. The figures therefore refer to different area scales. Langya Mountain is a national forest park and is classified as a national 5A-level scenic area.

The pavilion and commemorating Ouyang Xiu

The Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man, also called Zuiweng Pavilion, was built in 1046. During the Northern Song dynasty, in the Qingli era, the monk Zhixian of Langya Temple built it for Ouyang Xiu when he was prefect of Chuzhou. The pavilion is one of China’s four famous pavilions and is considered the foremost among them. Its date, builder, and dedication link the structure to Ouyang Xiu’s time as prefect.

Tongle Garden displays inscriptions of Ouyang Xiu’s text Records of the Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man in four script styles: regular, cursive, clerical, and seal script. The works on display include those by Su Tangqing, Su Shi, Zhao Mengfu, Dong Qichang, Zhu Zhishan, Wen Zhengming, and Zhang Ruitu. Inscriptions dedicated by modern artists are also represented. Ouyang Gong Hall is the main building of the Ouyang Xiu Memorial Museum in Tongle Garden. It houses a statue of Ouyang Xiu that is almost three meters tall; murals depict his life. The calligraphy, images, and statue offer different perspectives on the poet’s commemoration.

Temples, inscriptions, and protected cultural relics

Langya Temple was built in 771 by Li Youqing, prefect of Chuzhou, and the monk Facheng, and is one of the nationally significant temple complexes. The cultural heritage of Langya Mountain also includes rock inscriptions and steles designated as nationally protected cultural relics of major importance. Particularly notable are seven Tang-dynasty rock inscriptions and a stele written by Su Shi with the Records of the Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man. The temple’s history and its written records emphasize different historical aspects.

Forest scenery, viewpoints, and a historic path

Langya Mountain has more than 85 percent forest cover. Nantian Gate is the highest point in the southeast of Langya Mountain; the Langya Pavilion and Huifeng Pavilion are among the structures located there. From Langya Pavilion at Nantian Gate, the view extends to the surrounding mountains, the high-rise buildings in eastern Chuzhou, and the Yangtze River. Langya Ancient Road is a historic path paved with blue stone slabs, running from the Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man to Langya Temple. Forested mountain slopes, old trees, and bamboo line the path. This area therefore features both a viewpoint with expansive vistas and a historic route.

A one-day itinerary dated March 3, 2023, allows about 4.5 hours for a visit to the scenic area; meal and walking times are not included. Use this as a rough planning estimate and allow extra time for the excluded activities. The different thematic highlights can also be distinguished: the pavilion and Tongle Garden bring together connections to Ouyang Xiu and calligraphic culture, while Nantian Gate and Langya Ancient Road offer viewpoints and a historic route, respectively.

Discover more destinations: Xuancheng, Suzhou, Bozhou, Lu’an, Bengbu, Huangshan, Huaibei, Juchao

For the full travel overview: Anhui.