Shennongjia, named after the legendary God of Agriculture, Shennong, was more commonly known as Mt Shen Nong, Southern Mountain, Mountain of Bears, Celestial Dragon Mountain, or Shenlongjia, etc.
The scenery here was breathtaking and captivating, and contained next to no evidence of human activity. All kinds of rare and precious plants and animals could be seen here, flourishing in this untouched environment.
The earliest name Shennongjia was known by was 'Mountain of Bears'. A passage in the "Classic of the Mountains and Seas: Cloud" states that: Another 150 li East, there lies the Yang Bear Mountain. The mountain is home to many caves, with the Cave of Bears at its heart. Divine beings could often be seen coming and going freely. The mountain is active all summer, but sleeps the cold of the winter away. It is the Mountain of Bears which abounds with Emperors."