Mount Lu

Mount Lu (Lushan) is a mountain and scenic area in Jiangxi province, China, famed for its steep granite peaks, waterfalls and cultural sites. It is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape.

The area contains numerous temples, historic villas, gardens and viewing points set among cloud-covered cliffs and forested slopes. Popular highlights include waterfall viewpoints and terrace-like ridges that produce frequent “sea of clouds” displays; well-developed trails and roads connect the main scenic zones.

Human use and development date back many centuries with temples and retreats established by Buddhist and Taoist communities. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the area became a notable summer resort and site of villas; it later gained national-park protection and the UNESCO designation in 1996.

Mount Lu sits near the city of Jiujiang in northern Jiangxi province, rising from the lowlands south of the Yangtze River and north of Poyang Lake. The landscape combines steep mountain slopes with forested valleys and developed tourist facilities around the main access roads.

• UNESCO status: Designated a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape in 1996 for its combination of natural scenery and historic villas, temples and gardens.
• Access: Located adjacent to the city of Jiujiang, the mountain area is managed as a national park with a network of trails, scenic drives and developed viewing points.