Hengshan Mountain’s new landmark is taking off! This isn’t a visitor center at all—it’s clearly an octagonal spirit turtle that’s been guarding the mountain for a thousand years.-Hengshan Mountain

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HENGSHAN MOUNTAIN

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Hengshan Mountain’s new landmark is taking off! This isn’t a visitor center at all—it’s clearly an octagonal spirit turtle that’s been guarding the mountain for a thousand years.

Publish Time:

2026-01-14 10:01

Source:

In 2025, the hottest spot in Hunyuan County turned out to be none other than Yong’an Temple—a once very niche attraction! Daily visitor numbers have skyrocketed to over 20,000. You’d think it’s all thanks to the hype generated by “Black Myth: Wukong,” wouldn’t you? But hold on—there’s a much more hardcore “traffic formula” behind this sudden surge in popularity! The Hengshan Mountain Visitor Center has officially "made its debut"!

PART 01

The giant turtle between the mountains and waters of Hengshan Mountain

Work Review

As the bus slowly pulls in and you catch your first glimpse of it, you might just pause—Is this really a visitor center?

It lies quietly at the foot of Hengshan Mountain, its entire surface bathed in a deep, dark-gray hue—like a piece of ink jade polished by the passage of time. This shade of black holds ancient secrets: it echoes... North Yue The cosmological philosophy of “the Five Elements belong to Water, and the Five Colors are dominated by Black” is also linked to the distant legend of the “Black Emperor of the Northern Mountain.”

Only when viewed from above does the true wonder unfold: the entire structure is actually octagonal, resembling a giant spiritual turtle peacefully reclining amidst mountains and waters. This is no mere coincidence—it’s a subtle nod to the “Turtle City, Snake Street” layout that has been passed down through millennia in the ancient city of Hunyuan. It’s not just the starting point of your journey; it’s also a colossal, living “cultural exhibit” that seems to breathe.

Yet its inner workings far exceed your imagination. This “super hub”—with a total investment of 517 million yuan and a floor area of 23,600 square meters—has welcomed over 5.75 million visitors since officially opening on May Day 2025, completely revitalizing Hunyuan’s whole-area tourism.

PART 02

The Super Butler That Puts an End to “Parking Phobia”

Work Review

First, it’s a comprehensive “trip manager” that specializes in addressing all kinds of travel challenges.

The long-standing “parking difficulties” that have plagued the scenic area for years are now a thing of the past here. The center has innovatively planned five smart parking zones with over 3,600 parking spaces, which can even be expanded during peak periods to accommodate more than 10,000 vehicles at once. A dedicated charging zone for new-energy vehicles is also already in place, ensuring your green travel experience is completely worry-free.

Parking your car is just the beginning. Inside the building, functional layers are clearly demarcated: The basement level serves as a transportation hub, offering seamless transfers to shuttle buses that serve the scenic area; the ground floor is a comprehensive service hall, where you can handle ticket purchases, get information, and store your belongings—all in one stop. Paired with a regularly scheduled shuttle system, this design truly achieves a smooth, seamless transition—from stepping off the bus straight into the park. Even the winter pipelines have been specially designed with frost-proofing measures to ensure year-round enjoyment.

PART 03

A cultural and tourism living room where culinary delights and local scenery intertwine.

Work Review

Stepping into the first floor, the bustling ticket hall you’d imagined suddenly vanished—replaced instead by a bright and open “cultural and tourism living room.”

Here, it’s a leisurely stroll where the taste buds and relaxed mood meet. On your left, the iconic signs of KFC, Luckin Coffee, and Wangba Chaji shine with familiar allure. Just turn around, and you’ll find yourself in the authentic “Hunyuan Liangfen Garden,” where the steaming aroma of knife-cut noodles mingles with the smooth, refreshing coolness of liangfen—offering a one-stop taste that perfectly captures the soul of Shanxi.

Among the 24 cultural and creative shops and specialty product areas, the “Unparalleled in the World”... Hengshan Mountain Astragalus Time-honored, richly fragrant aged vinegar and other local specialties—along with delightful and entertaining souvenirs—are waiting for you to discover. Tired? Free warm water and comfortable sofas are available everywhere; taking a break is simply part of the journey itself.

PART 04

An immersive “parallel timeline” that transcends time and space.

Work Review

The real fantasy journey is hidden on the second floor. Here, we’ve shattered the stereotype that “a visitor center is just a place to ask for directions” and transformed it into an immersive “parallel-world amusement park.”

At the "Hunyuan Adventure" flight cinema, using naked-eye 5D technology and guided by the mythical creature Xuanwu, you’ll soar through the stunning scenery of Hengshan Mountain and its remarkable ancient architecture.

At the "Xuankong Temple Experience Center," you can feel the thrilling sensation of being perched high above sheer cliffs—without ever having to climb them yourself.

Before a 750-square-meter, 100-meter-long electronic scroll titled “Hunyuan Splendor,” a gentle touch of your fingertips can activate dynamic displays of 16 iconic scenic spots, bringing the thousand-year-old painting to life in a dazzling interplay of light and shadow.

Even more remarkable is the AI-powered smart dressing feature, which lets you instantly “transform” into a Northern Wei artisan or a Tang Dynasty lady and take photos in historical settings. Here, technology is no longer a cold, impersonal device—it’s like a series of magical doors that allow you to have a deep “rehearsal” with the soul of Hengshan Mountain before you even set foot on its trails.

PART 05

The “intelligent brain” and hardcore capabilities hidden behind the scenes

Work Review

Every seamless experience hinges on a “smart brain” quietly working behind the scenes. Located on the first floor, the command center uses a giant screen to link over 400 high-definition cameras, providing real-time monitoring of the entire area and enabling precise analysis of pedestrian and vehicle flows.

It can predict peak periods and implement tiered alert systems, fundamentally addressing congestion in scenic areas. This system can also “understand” tourists, providing support for precise marketing and personalized services.

The center’s energy is, moreover, the hard-core engine driving regional development:

Job Creation: We have directly created nearly 200 jobs and indirectly supported another 260 jobs. Over the next five years, we expect to provide nearly 800 high-quality jobs.

Creating Value: Since its launch, the company has generated revenues exceeding 57 million yuan and contributed over 4.3 million yuan in taxes and fees to the local community—real, tangible funds that are actively supporting the local economy.

Before you leave, don’t forget to stop by the dialect wall and “check in.” That Hunyuan dialect—often jokingly referred to as a “living fossil of Tang Dynasty official speech”—with its phrase “nú rén’er” (meaning “you’re so beautiful!”), is just waiting for you to pronounce it aloud, turning it into a warm and memorable travel memory.

So, what exactly is the Hengshan Mountain Visitor Center? It’s not just a transportation hub that solves parking challenges and connects attractions such as the Yungang Grottoes and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda; it’s also a decoder of culture, an amplifier of experiences, and a reassuring station for services.

This “octagonal warrior” at the foot of Hengshan Mountain tells stories through design, creates dreams with technology, and conveys warmth through details—it’s redefining the meaning of “arrival”: a perfect journey to Hengshan Mountain begins the moment you first lay eyes on it.

Keywords:

The premiere of the local wartime micro-film "Loyalty of Beiyue" was held in Hunyuan.

Hengshan Mountain’s new landmark is taking off! This isn’t a visitor center at all—it’s clearly an octagonal spirit turtle that’s been guarding the mountain for a thousand years.