Luya Waterfall
Luya waterfall, located at the foot of Xuanlianfeng peak of the Taishishan Mt. of Songshan which is approximately 6 km northeast of Dengfeng downtown, is rare natural landscape in Dengfeng and one of the 8 scenery sites of Songshan. The waterfall was named after eminent minister Lu Hongyi who had lived in seclusion in the stone cave under a precipice of Xuanlianfeng peak f Songshan.
Luya waterfall has spectacular natural sceneries varying from steep precipices, marvelous stones, luxuriant grass and flowers. Water falls onto precipices of different heights and forms a pool at the bottom. All the scenery is as charming as a beautiful scene in fairy tale. The major tourist attractions include Luyasi temple, nine pools, nine valleys, Luya waterfall and One Line Sky. Between Xuanlianfeng Peak and Jimingfeng Peak sprouts spring with perennial water dropping like clouds, forming a spectacular scene. In summer, at the time of downpour and flood, torrents drop heavily like thunder strike. Then, watching the sunrise and waterfall at Shian, you will see a splendid colorful view of stream, mountain, forests and waterfall.
Major scenic sites:
1. One Line Sky
One Line Sky is a crack in precipice, being less than 1 m in wide, about 100 m in height and 170 m in length. It is steep as a knife cut and narrow as a line. It is said to be passage of gods on their way to attend a party. According to legend, gods hold their breath each time they pass the passage. The passage is said to be opened by the Eight Immortals on their way to climb the main peak of Songshan to visit King of Zhongyuan. The yellow Chinaberry at the west mouth, exuberant though grows from stone crack without soil, is called Shenxian Tree and regarded as a road mark left by the Eight Immortals.
2. Luyasi temple
The fourth yard, Changzhuyuan, is divided into east and west temples. According to historical records, Caotang had been used by Buddhists and renamed as Luyashangsi temple after Lu Hongyi died. Luyashangci temple has been destroyed and the only remaining is a large stone with inscriptions of four Chinese characters Lu Hong Cao Tang. The existing temple is Luyaxiasi temple. Luyasi temple is four courtyards structure. The gate, hard mountain building, was built in the fifth ruling year of King Daoguang of Qing Dynasty (1825). The gate has a stone tablet with inscriptions of Lu Ya Si. Inside the temple hold sculptures of the four kings of heaven and in the middle stands sculpture of Sakyamuni Buddha. On the west and east walls of the temple lie thousand pieces of Buddha bricks shaped in rectangle. Each brick is sculpted into a Buddha and the brick is accordingly named as Buddha brick. Buddha brick is unique Buddhist art of Luyasi yards, guest courtyard, dining room and warehouse. All the buildings have been rehabilitated by many times and most are dilapidated except for west courtyard of Houdian and the gate built during the rule of King Daoguang of Qing Dynasty.