China Songshan World Geopark is located in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, covering an area of 464 square kilometers. It includes ten scenic areas – Anpo Mountain, Wufo Mountain, Dangyang Mountain, Shaolin Temple, Sanhuang Village, Junji Peak, Zhifang Lake, Luya Waterfall, Wuzhi Ridge, and Shicong River – as well as the Dengfeng Service Area. The main type of geological relic is the geological (including structural) section.
Within the geopark, the strata from five geological periods – Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic – covering the past 3.5 billion years, are continuously and completely exposed. The stratigraphic sequence is clear, and the structural features are typical, earning it the title “Five Generations Under One Roof” in geological circles. The main peaks in the Songshan area, such as Yuzhai Mountain, Junji Peak, Wuzhi Ridge, and Jianshan, are mostly composed of quartzite. Due to tectonic movements, these peaks rise abruptly from an elevation of 400 meters, with steep cliffs and elegant landscapes, and fantastic peaks and valleys can be seen throughout the region.
Songshan is one of China’s famous “Five Great Mountains” – the “Central Mountain.” It abounds in cultural and historical sites, including ten temples, five shrines, five palaces, three Taoist observatories, four nunneries, four caves, three altars, and over 270 pagodas. It has been a converging place for Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism throughout history, and the world‑renowned Shaolin Temple is nestled deep in the embrace of Songshan.