Henan 5A scenic spot, Wu Chengen lived in seclusion here, and it was the location for the filming of "Journey to the West"
Wu Chengen was intelligent and well-read since he was a child, especially fond of fairy tales. Due to frustration in officialdom and hardship in life, Wu Chengen deepened his understanding of the feudal imperial examination system and the dark social reality, so he used the form of strange novels to express his inner dissatisfaction and resentment. "Journey to the West" is a novel written by Mr. Wu Cheng'en. It, together with "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", "Water Margin" and "A Dream of Red Mansions", is known as the four classic Chinese classics. "Journey to the West" is different from ordinary ancient novels. Although it is a mythological novel, it incorporates Buddhism into the novel.
"Journey to the West" is a fantasy novel based on the historical event of "Tang Monk's Pursuit" and artistically processed to reflect the social reality of the Ming Dynasty. The whole book mainly describes how Sun Wukong was born and caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace. He met Tang Monk, Zhu Bajie, Sha Monk and White Dragon Horse. He traveled westward to learn Buddhist scriptures and went through hardships and dangers along the way. He conquered demons and demons. After experiencing ninety-nine and eighty-one difficulties, he finally arrived at the Western Heaven. To Tathagata Buddha, the story of the Five Saints finally becoming true. Because "Journey to the West" has a very far-reaching literary influence, it causes readers to think deeply. Therefore, it has been made into different versions of movies, animations, and TV series.
Regarding these different versions of "Journey to the West" movies, animations, and TV series, most friends may think of the 83 version of "Journey to the West" by Liu Xiaolingtong. Among them, in Henan, there is such a 5A scenic spot, where Wu Chengen lived in seclusion, and it was the location for the filming of "Journey to the West"! The name of this place is Chaya Mountain. Moreover, Chaya Mountain is mainly composed of six major scenic spots: Nanshanmen Area, Nanshan, Beishan, Liufeng Mountain, Tianmo Lake, and Pipa Lake. The stones of various shapes and forms that you see now are one of the unique geological and landform features of Chaya Mountain.
According to records, Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty (also known as Tang Monk), after repeatedly requesting Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to study in India but failed, he chanted sutras and practiced in the Chaya Mountain area, and accepted Dao Quan and Dao Yi as his disciples. (They are all from Chaya Mountain). Later, Wu Cheng'en, a talented man from Huai'an in the Ming Dynasty who was obsessed with the creation of "Journey to the West", traveled far to avoid disaster and passed through Chaya Mountain. He got creative inspiration from the landscapes such as , Gaolaozhuang and Liusha River, and created the masterpiece "Journey to the West".
Chaya Mountain is located in Suiping County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province. It is a national 5A tourist attraction. It is the filming location for "Tears in the Hidden Mist Mountain", the sequel to CCTV's version of "Journey to the West". Its ticket price is 70 yuan, and the opening hours are: 08:00-18:00 (January 1st - December 31st, Monday and Sunday). The scenic area is full of rugged mountains and strange rocks, dotted with Xiume Lake, Pipa Lake, Baihua Lake and Tianmo Lake, forming a unique and beautiful scenery picture. It enjoys the title of "Chinese Bonsai", "Zhongzhou Unique", and "Jiangbei Stone Forest". , the reputation of "Funiu Wonder".
The mountain is formed through a long period of weathering and erosion, making it appear smooth and round. Although there are many famous mountains and rivers in China, Chaya Mountain in Henan is definitely one of the unique ones. Mountains are big rocks, big rocks are mountains, and there is water in the mountains, and the mountains are surrounded by lakes. It is not possible to climb to the top of this mountain and can only be crossed from the ridge, which is about 300 meters above sea level. Chaya Mountain is full of strange peaks and rocks, and the scenery is picturesque all year round. Yan Zhenqing, a great calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, even wrote "Farewell to the Cave Heaven" after visiting the mountain.
Tour route: Enter from the south gate and walk a short distance inside to see the gate of the scenic spot. Entering the gate of the scenic spot, walking forward is the statue of the four masters and disciples of Journey to the West. On the right is the waterwheel, which is very beautiful and suitable for the concave shape. After passing the statue and walking about 200 meters further, there is a fork. There are two tour routes here. 1. Take the fork to the right, and the strange stone sightseeing route: Nanshan Gate gt; Journey to the West Cultural Plaza gt; Xiumin Lake gt; Beeswax Mountain gt; Bao Gong Temple gt; Animal World gt; Five Dragon Palace gt; Thousand-hole Cypress gt; Hundred-step Ladder gt; Stone Monkey Yard gt; One-line Sky gt; Flying Stone gt; Phoenix Terrace gt; Cliff Slide gt; Adventure Valley Sightseeing Station.
2. Go left at the fork, and go to the canyon boutique routes: Nanshan Gate gt; Journey to the West Cultural Plaza gt; Tianmo Lake gt; Tianmo Peak gt; Giant Dragon Looking Back gt; Wanfo Ridge gt; Eagle Sorrow Stream gt; Damu Cliff gt; Bibotan gt; Pipa Lake gt; Fengshui Ridge gt; Geological Science Park gt; Adventure Valley Sightseeing Station. If you are interested in this place, you can bookmark it first. Wait until you have more time before setting off. Take her (him), or relatives and friends, to embrace and feel the different visual feasts and memories of the journey to the West that Chaya Mountain Scenic Area brings to everyone.