Wulaofeng is located in the southeast of Lushan Scenic and Historic Interest Area. It stands at an elevation of 1358 meters and is the most majestic and perilous peak of Lushan. The summit of the mountain is divided into five parallel peaks by a col, resembling five old men sitting on the ground, hence the name. From different perspectives, the five peaks display various postures, some like poets reciting, warriors singing, fishermen fishing, or old monks meditating. Wulaofeng is as magical and magnificent as Li Bai described, “In the southeast of Lushan, there are the Five Elders Peaks, carved out of the blue sky like golden lotuses.” Merely gazing at the peaks from the base will not capture the danger of the terrain and the peculiarity of the scattered rocks. However, the southeast side of Wulaofeng is too steep to climb, so visitors must start their ascent from the northwest path. The climb to the first peak is quite steep, but from the summit of the first peak to the fourth is relatively gentle, and the peaks are close to each other; yet, the distance from the fourth to the fifth peak is much greater, taking about an hour to traverse. If you have limited stamina, you can climb only to the fourth peak and then return the same way, with the entire visit taking less than two hours; if you are energetic and have ample time, you may ascend to the fifth peak and avoid the return path, descending directly from the Wufen Pavilion via steps, reaching the San Die Quan cableway entrance in about half an hour.The first peak has below it the ‘Immortal’s Bridge,’ a structure made of peculiar rocks. It is especially captivating when shrouded in clouds and mist. The second peak is home to the ‘Waiting for Clear Weather Pavilion.’ This means one can see the true face of Lushan after the rain stops. The ‘Five Elders Cave’ is located in the valley beneath the pavilion. The third peak is the most precipitous. There is an unfathomable abyss at its base. A sturdy ‘Five Elders Pine’ is on the cliff. There are inscriptions such as ‘Close to the Sun and Low Clouds’ and ‘Overlooking the World’ on the peak. The fourth peak is the highest and offers excellent views. From here, one can gaze upon the Poyang Lake, towns and fields, and the crisscrossing rivers. The fifth peak is quite open and close to the San Die Quan, making it convenient to visit. The entire area is open year-round from 07:00 to 17:30. Specific operating conditions are subject to daily opening status.
Must-see tips:
1. Wulaofeng is the most physically demanding itinerary in Lushan. Please assess your capabilities accordingly.
2. Along the way, you will encounter sedan chair bearers offering a ride up the mountain. It is prohibitively expensive and safety cannot be guaranteed. So it is not recommended.
3. Some tourists set off before 5:00 to climb the mountain to watch the sunrise. But due to the perennial fog in Lushan, whether one can see the sunrise depends on luck.
