THE ESTABLISHMENT AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF PILGRIMAGE PATHS ON SONGSHAN, HENAN PROVINCE, CHINA

This study examines pilgrimage paths on Zhongyue Songshan, a central site of mountain worship in China. Analyzing historical texts and pictorial maps, it clarifies the formation, context, and evolution of three imperial pilgrimage paths and one sightseeing path. The research reveals that changes in these paths reflect shifts in the mountain’s religious landscape. Notably, all paths share a common topographical structure, an ascent from valley paths to ridgeline trails culminating at the summit. This study highlights how imperial initiatives and religious transformations shaped the development and use of these pilgrimage paths over time.