Songshan

Songshan, or Mount Song, is a mountain in central China’s Henan province. It lies near the city of Dengfeng, to the west of Zhengzhou. It is one of the Five Great Mountains of China and is commonly regarded as the central sacred peak in Chinese mountaintop worship.

The mountain has long been a locus of religious activity for both Buddhism and Taoism, with numerous temples and hermitages along its ridges. The Shaolin Temple at its western foothills is world-famous as a center of Chan Buddhism and as the cradle of Chinese martial arts. Near Shaolin is the Pagoda Forest, a collection of historic stupa-like structures dating from successive dynasties. The broader Songshan area contains additional temples, grottoes, and monuments that reflect its long religious and cultural history.

Geographically, Songshan features several peaks connected by ridges and valleys, and is a popular destination for hiking, pilgrimage, and sightseeing. The site is developed as a scenic area with access via roads and cable cars, while preserving historic religious sites and natural scenery.

The mountain remains a symbol of Chinese religious heritage and is protected as a major cultural and natural site within Henan Province.