Lushan City, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province – Travel Guide

Lushan City, Jiujiang, Jiangxi — a World Heritage site, a city of mountains and waters combining majestic grandeur, perilous steepness and scenic beauty, featuring Mount Lu Scenic Area, Sandie Waterfall, White Deer Grotto Academy and other famous attractions. A 2-day deep experience of natural wonders and thousand-year cultural context.

2000+
Years of Cultural History
913
Square Kilometers Area
240,000+
Permanent Population
50+
Famous Attractions
Sandie Waterfall scenery in Lushan City, Jiujiang
Sandie Waterfall – Iconic Waterfall of Lushan City
Core attraction of Lushan City, a three-tier waterfall with a total drop of 155 meters, known as the "First Marvel of Mount Lu". Li Bai left behind the timeless verse "Flying down three thousand feet straight" here.

Lushan City 2-Day Mountain & Water Culture Tour

Climb mountains and watch waterfalls, explore ancient sites, read cultural context, reflect on history

Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Mount Lu Scenic Area, Sandie Waterfall, White Deer Grotto Academy, Xiufeng, Guanyin Bridge
Suitable For
Mountain & water lovers, culture scholars, history buffs, photography enthusiasts, family trips
Budget per person
¥500-¥1000
Day 1
Exploring Mount Lu Core Scenic Area
Five Old Men Peak Sea of Clouds · Sandie Waterfall · Conference Site History
Highlights

Morning: Climb Five Old Men Peak to overlook Poyang Lake, stroll along Flower Path to experience Bai Juyi's poetic charm; afternoon: hike to Sandie Waterfall to experience the wonder of "If you haven't seen Sandie Waterfall, you haven't truly visited Mount Lu"; evening: visit Mount Lu Conference Site to touch the imprint of history.

Attractions Schedule
Mount Lu Scenic Area (Five Old Men Peak, Flower Path)
Core area of the World Heritage site. Five Old Men Peak is named for five peaks resembling elderly men; from the summit you can overlook Poyang Lake and the panoramic view of Mount Lu. Flower Path was where Bai Juyi composed poems, with peach blossoms in spring and maple leaves in autumn, creating a far-reaching artistic conception.
Sandie Waterfall
The first marvel of Mount Lu, the waterfall falls in three tiers with a total drop of 155 meters. The roaring water sounds like thunder, with mist spreading like rain. Requires hiking thousands of steps to reach, with steep and beautiful scenery along the way.
Mount Lu Conference Site
An important modern historical site where several major conferences were held. The architecture blends Chinese and Western styles, with the interior preserving the original appearance of the conference venues, serving as an important window to understand modern Chinese history.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Tourist shuttle from Jiujiang Station to Mount Lu Scenic Area, about 1 hour
  • Sightseeing bus pass covers main attractions
  • Sandie Waterfall requires walking or cable car (single trip ¥80)
  • Within Guling Town, you can walk or take a taxi
Ticket Info
  • Mount Lu Scenic Area main ticket: ¥160 (peak), ¥135 (off-peak)
  • Sandie Waterfall cable car: single trip ¥80 (optional)
  • Mount Lu Conference Site: Free (ID registration required)
Food Recommendations
  • Mount Lu Stone Chicken (frog)
  • Mount Lu Stone Ear Fungus
  • Stone Fish Scrambled Eggs
  • Guling Town Special BBQ
Day 2
Cultural Heritage Tracing
White Deer Grotto Academy · Guanyin Bridge · Xiufeng Poetic Realm
Highlights

Morning: Visit White Deer Grotto Academy, the foremost of China's four great academies, to experience thousand-year Confucian heritage; tour the thousand-year-old Guanyin Bridge and marvel at ancient architectural wisdom; afternoon: head to Xiufeng to pursue the poetic realm of Li Bai's "Flying down three thousand feet straight".

Attractions Schedule
White Deer Grotto Academy
One of China's four great academies, first built in the Tang Dynasty. Zhu Xi once lectured here. The existing ancient building complex is well preserved, with numerous steles and towering ancient cypress trees, serving as an important carrier of Confucian cultural heritage.
Guanyin Bridge
A stone arch bridge first built in the Northern Song Dynasty, spanning the eastern valley stream of Mount Lu. Built without a single nail or rivet, using only 107 granite stones pieced together, it has survived millennia of floods intact and is known as the "First Ancient Bridge of Jiangnan".
Xiufeng
Famous for Li Bai's "Viewing the Waterfall of Mount Lu". Incense Burner Peak and Double Sword Peak stand opposite each other, with Horse Tail Waterfall cascading down. Li Bai's poetry stele stands amidst the scenery, blending nature and culture in a far-reaching artistic conception.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Direct shuttle from Guling Town to White Deer Grotto Academy, about 40 minutes
  • 10-minute walk from White Deer Grotto Academy to Guanyin Bridge
  • Self-driving or taxi recommended from Guanyin Bridge to Xiufeng, about 30 minutes
  • Sightseeing shuttles available within Xiufeng Scenic Area
Ticket Info
  • White Deer Grotto Academy: ¥40
  • Guanyin Bridge: ¥40
  • Xiufeng: ¥63
Food Recommendations
  • Mount Lu Cloud Mist Tea Biscuits
  • Hukou Steamed Rice Cake
  • Wine Lees Glutinous Rice Balls
  • Poyang Lake Hairy Crab (autumn)

Must-Try Foods in Lushan City

Mount Lu Stone Chicken

Signature dish of Lushan City, made from the unique spiny frog found on Mount Lu, mainly steamed or braised. The meat is as tender as chicken, rich in protein, and ranks first among the "Three Stones of Mount Lu".

Mount Lu Stone Ear Fungus

A fungus growing on the cliffs of Mount Lu, named for its ear-like shape. Rich in colloids and amino acids, often used in soups or cold dishes. Smooth texture, rich in nutrition, one of the "Three Stones of Mount Lu".

Stone Fish Scrambled Eggs

Stone fish, one of the "Three Stones of Mount Lu", is tiny like silver, living in mountain streams. Scrambled with eggs, it is fresh, fragrant, tender and smooth, a classic local home-style dish.

Mount Lu Cloud Mist Tea Biscuits

Traditional pastries made with Mount Lu Cloud Mist Tea. Crispy outer shell with rich tea-flavored filling, sweet but not greasy. A famous tea snack and souvenir of Lushan City.

Lushan City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Cool climate, summer resort, average temperature 22°C
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Clear skies, high probability of sea of clouds, red leaves gradually appear
  • Spring (Mar-May): Flowers in full bloom, abundant waterfall water volume
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Rime and ice waterfalls, suitable for photography
Must-Do Experiences
  • Watch the rolling sea of clouds at sunrise from Five Old Men Peak
  • Hike to Sandie Waterfall to feel the power of the cascade
  • Attend a Confucian lecture at White Deer Grotto Academy
  • Recite "Viewing the Waterfall of Mount Lu" at Xiufeng
  • Stroll through Guling Town at night to see the mountain city lights
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx. ¥300-400 (including various attractions)
  • Accommodation: Guling Town guesthouses ¥200-500/night
  • Meals: ¥150-200/day
  • Transport: scenic area sightseeing bus ¥90 + city transport ¥50
  • Total: ¥500-1000
FAQ
  • How long is Mount Lu ticket valid? → Valid for 48 hours, allows second entry
  • Are there many steps at Sandie Waterfall? → About 1400 steps, comfortable sports shoes recommended
  • Is accommodation convenient in Guling Town? → Various inns and hotels available, book in advance during peak season
  • Where to buy authentic Mount Lu Cloud Mist Tea? → Time-honored tea shops in Guling Town or scenic area specialty stores

Explore Districts & Counties of Jiujiang City