Landscape in Dengfeng.[Photo: Xinhua]

Nestled in the Mount Songshan of Central China's Henan province, the historic architectural complex, which is composed of 11 traditional structures, including the Shaolin Temple, the Observatory, Songyang Academy, Taishi Towers and Zhongyue Temple, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List during a meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Brasilia, Brazil. Photo Gallery >>

Mount Songshang is considered to be the central sacred mountain of China. At the foot of this 1500 metre high mountain, close to the city of Dengfeng in Henan province and spread over a 40 square-kilometre circle, stand eight clusters of buildings and sites, including three Han Que gates - remains of the oldest religious edifices in China -, temples, the Zhougong Sundial Platform and the Dengfeng Observatory.

Constructed over the course of nine dynasties, these buildings are reflections of different ways of perceiving the centre of heaven and earth and the power of the mountain as a centre for religious devotion. The historical monuments of Dengfeng include some of the best examples of ancient Chinese buildings devoted to ritual, science, technology and education. Read more >>

 

Traveling tips of Shaolin Temple:

Opening hours: 8 am – 5 pm

Admission: 100 yuan

Tel: 86-0371-65582651; 86-0371-62749305 (Abbot’s Room)

How to get there: Take bus No. 1

Website: http://www.shaolin.org.cn/en/index.aspx