Mt Cangyan was designated by the State Council in China as one of the key scenic resorts under national protection in 1988, and as a historic and cultural mountain with an admirable architecture, bizarre wingceltis (Pteroceltis tatarinowii), grand mountains, quiet valleys and beautiful forests in 1994. In 1999, the site ranked as one of the top 10 famous scenic areas in Shijiazhuang city by experts. Many scenes from the Oscar-winning film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , directed by Ang Lee, were shot in this very spot.

 16 scenic sights

The natural scenery and manmade architecture in the Mt Cangyan Scenic Area were classified by the ancients as the 16 scenic sights: The shield-like peaks and serried green woods in distant hills are called "Greens Locked Inside the Cliff Barrier," and the babbling brooks laid out before the mountain with swimming fish are known as "Wind Springs Rinsing the Jade." Other scenic sights include the peaceful "Noon Shade Inside the Academy", "Sacred Sandalwood Besides Limpid Brook" with various roots, "Climbing Up Cloud Ladder," which features a magnificent skyline, "Flying Rainbow Over the Bridge Tower", "A Pearl Embedded in Steep Cliffs", and so on.

 Fuqing Temple

Fuqing Temple, first built in the Sui Dynasty, is the magnum opus of the ancient structures at Mt Cangyan. It is said that it was the place where Princess Nanyang, the daughter of Emperor Yangdi of the Sui Dynasty, practiced Buddhism . This temple, magnificent and grand in structure, comprises Qianlou Hall, the Temple of Princess Nanyang, Mt Cangyan College, Wanxian Hall, Fenghui Hall, Make-Up Tower and Peak of the Jade Emperor. Making good use of topography, these remarkable masterpieces of China's ancient temple architecture stand upright on the cliff, summit, or in the valley. Qiaolou Hall (Bridge-Tower Hall) is the main structure of Fuqing Temple. Situated on a stone-arched bridge that spans the cliffs, the hall is 70 meters above ground and looks majestic and astonishing. Under the bridge, more than 360 stone stairs resembling a "heavenly ladder" lead up to the mountain summit.

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