Many tourists planning to climb China’s famous mountains have common questions: which to visit, best climbing time, ticket prices and convenient transport. The ten famous mountains—Mount Tai, Huashan, Huangshan, Emei, Lushan, Changbai, Wuyi, Yulong Snow Mountain, Southern Hengshan, Northern Hengshan—feature unique charms, known for steepness, sea of clouds or ancient temples. This guide covers climbing seasons, tickets, transport and tips for both new and experienced climbers, helping plan trips and avoid unnecessary troubles.
Mount Tai: The Leader of the Five Great Mountains for Watching Sunrise
Mount Tai is located in Tai’an, Shandong Province, with an altitude of 1,545 meters. Many ancient emperors came here to worship heaven. Nowadays, many people climb Mount Tai just to watch the sunrise on the top of the mountain.
Best Climbing Time
April to June, September to November. It is rainy and crowded in summer, and the steps are icy and slippery in winter. There is less rain and cloud in autumn, so the chance of seeing the sunrise is higher.
Ticket Price
Peak season (March-November): 115 CNY; Off-season (December-February): 100 CNY. The ticket is valid for three days and includes Dai Temple. Half price for students; free or preferential tickets for the elderly and military personnel according to policies.
How to Get There
- You can take high-speed rail from Beijing Capital Airport or Shanghai Pudong Airport to Tai’an Station (about 2 hours from Beijing South to Tai’an, about 3.5 hours from Shanghai Hongqiao to Tai’an).
- Take a bus or taxi from Tai’an Station to Hongmen or Tianwai Village, about 15 minutes’ ride.
Practical Tips
- Night climb for sunrise: Start from Hongmen at about 10 p.m., reach the summit in 4-5 hours, just in time for the sunrise. The temperature at the summit is more than 10 degrees lower than that at the foot of the mountain, so you must bring a thick coat.
- Cableway and bus: Take a bus from Tianwai Village to Zhongtianmen (one-way 35-40 CNY), and the Zhongtianmen Cableway goes directly to Nantianmen for 100 CNY one-way.
- Equipment advice: Buy a hiking stick at the foot of the mountain (2-5 CNY), and bring a flashlight for night climbing. The steps of Eighteen Bends are very steep. People with bad knees are advised to take the cableway.
Huashan Mountain: Steep Peaks and the Plank Road in the Sky Worth Challenging
Huashan Mountain is located in Huayin, Shaanxi Province, famous for its “steepness”. The Plank Road in the Sky and Harrier Turning Over are walks on the cliffs. If you don’t pursue excitement, you can also see spectacular scenery by taking the conventional route.
Best Climbing Time
April to October. There are flowers in spring, and it is the most comfortable in autumn. The snow scene is beautiful in winter but the road is slippery, and some sections may be closed.
Ticket Price
Peak season (March-November): 160 CNY; Off-season (December-February): 100 CNY. The ticket is valid for two days, including Xiyue Temple and Xianyu. Half price for students. A safety rope is required for the Plank Road in the Sky and Harrier Turning Over (30 CNY).
How to Get There
- You can transfer from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport to Huashan North Station by high-speed rail (30-40 minutes from Xi’an North to Huashan North).
- There is a free bus to the tourist center after exiting Huashan North Station, and a taxi costs about 10 CNY.
Practical Tips
- Cableway options: Xifeng Cableway (140 CNY one-way) is the most labor-saving, and it takes 30 minutes to walk to Xifeng Peak after getting off the cableway; Beifeng Cableway (80 CNY one-way) is cheaper, but it takes 4-5 hours to climb to other peaks.
- Plank Road in the Sky: Daily traffic limit, long queuing time in peak season. It is recommended to queue near Nantianmen before 7 a.m., otherwise you may wait for 2-3 hours. Don’t go if you are timid.
- Night climbing route: Start from Yuquanyuan, and reach Beifeng Peak in about 4 hours. You need to start at 8-9 p.m. for night climbing. It is windy on the mountain, wear more clothes, and gloves are necessary (for grabbing iron chains).
Sunrise and Sea of Clouds on Huangshan Mountain
Huangshan Mountain: Famous for Strange Pines, Grotesque Rocks and Sea of Clouds
Huangshan Mountain is located in Anhui Province, known as “the most fantastic mountain under heaven”. Strange pines, grotesque rocks, sea of clouds and hot springs are its hallmarks. Guest-Greeting Pine is the symbol, and Xihai Grand Canyon has the best scenery.
Best Climbing Time
Spring and autumn are the most beautiful. There are snow scenes and rime in winter but some roads may be closed. The sea of clouds is most likely to be seen right after rain, and the probability of sea of clouds appearing in winter and spring exceeds 80%.
Ticket Price
Peak season (March-November): 190 CNY; Off-season (December-February): 150 CNY. The ticket is valid for three days and allows multiple entries. Half price for students: 95 CNY.
How to Get There
- You can take high-speed rail from Shanghai Pudong or Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport to Huangshan North Station (about 2.5 hours from Shanghai to Huangshan North, about 1.5 hours from Hangzhou to Huangshan North).
- Take the through bus to the scenic area from Huangshan North Station for 20 CNY, and arrive at Tangkou Town (South Gate Transfer Center) in 1 hour.
Practical Tips
- Cableway prices: Yungu Cableway 80 CNY in peak season, Yuping Cableway 90 CNY in peak season, Taiping Cableway 80 CNY in peak season. Xihai Grand Canyon Sightseeing Cableway 100 CNY in peak season.
- Accommodation on the mountain: It is recommended to stay on the mountain to watch the sunrise. The bed costs 500-1500 CNY per night, and you need to book 1-2 months in advance. Baiyun Hotel and Guangmingding Hotel are in the best locations.
- Equipment: Raincoat is essential, and non-slip shoes are important. Food is expensive on the mountain, so you can bring your own dry food and water. Lianhua Peak and Tiandu Peak are open alternately. Check which one is open before going.
Emei Mountain: Buddhist Holy Land with Golden Summit for Sea of Clouds Viewing
Emei Mountain is located in Sichuan Province, one of China’s four great Buddhist mountains. The highest peak Wanfo Summit is 3,099 meters above sea level. The ten-sided Samantabhadra statue at the Golden Summit is spectacular, where you can also watch the sea of clouds, sunrise and Buddha’s light. There are temples and monkeys along the way.
Best Climbing Time
May to October. There is snow at the Golden Summit in winter but the road is slippery. It is cool and suitable for summer escape, and the visibility at the Golden Summit is the best in autumn.
Ticket Price
Peak season (January 16 – December 14): 160 CNY; Off-season (December 15 – January 15): 110 CNY. Half price for students. Small temples such as Baoguo Temple and Fuhu Temple charge a few extra yuan.
How to Get There
- You can transfer from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Tianfu International Airport to Emei Station by high-speed rail (about 1 hour from Chengdu East to Emei).
- The tourist center is right outside Emei Station.
Practical Tips
- Cableway and sightseeing bus: Golden Summit Cableway 65 CNY upward and 55 CNY downward, Wannian Cableway 30 CNY upward and 20 CNY downward. Round-trip sightseeing bus across the mountain 90 CNY (from the foot to Leidongping, about 2 hours’ drive).
- Easy route: Take the sightseeing bus to Leidongping, walk 1.5 kilometers to Jieyingdian, take the Golden Summit Cableway to the Golden Summit, visit and return the same way. The whole journey takes about 5-6 hours.
- Monkeys notice: Monkeys on the mountain will snatch food and plastic bags. Do not carry snacks in your hands, and keep your backpack zipped. The Golden Summit is over 3,000 meters above sea level, mild altitude sickness may occur, do not run too fast.
Lushan Mountain: Summer Resort with Waterfalls and Sea of Clouds
Lushan Mountain is located in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, famous for waterfalls, clouds and old villas on the mountain. Li Bai’s “Flying down three thousand feet”describes the Three Triple-Fold Spring Waterfall. It is much cooler on the mountain than at the foot in summer.
Best Climbing Time
May to September, the waterfall has abundant water and you can escape the heat. The leaves turn colorful in autumn, which is also beautiful. There is a free ticket policy for the whole mountain every March.
Ticket Price
Pass 160 CNY, valid for seven days. Student ticket 80 CNY. Three Triple-Fold Spring Cableway 55 CNY one-way. Sightseeing bus 70 CNY (valid for one week).
How to Get There
- You can transfer from Nanchang Changbei International Airport or Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to Jiujiang Station by high-speed rail (about 1 hour from Nanchang to Jiujiang, about 1.5 hours from Wuhan to Jiujiang).
- Take a bus or taxi from Jiujiang Station to the North Gate of Lushan Mountain. You can also take high-speed rail to Lushan Station, but the North Gate is more convenient.
Practical Tips
- Three Triple-Fold Spring: There are more than 3,000 steps, round trip takes 3-4 hours, physical exertion is great. People with bad knees are advised to take the cableway. Going to Three Triple-Fold Spring means climbing back, it is recommended to go in the morning.
- Transportation on the mountain: The scenic area is large, it is recommended to buy a sightseeing bus ticket. Hanpokou can overlook Poyang Lake, Wulao Peak is shaped like five old men sitting together.
- It is often foggy, drive carefully.
Changbai Mountain: Magnificent Scenery of Tianchi Lake
Changbai Mountain is located in the southeast of Jilin Province, a border mountain between China and the DPRK. Tianchi Lake is a volcanic lake on the top of the mountain with extremely blue water. But it is covered by clouds and fog for more than 200 days a year, and seeing it all depends on luck.
Best Climbing Time
July to September. The chance of seeing Tianchi Lake is the highest in late July. The main peak may be closed due to heavy snow at other times.
Ticket and Transportation Fees
Ticket 105 CNY, environmental protection bus 85 CNY (required for both North and West Slopes), Tianchi main peak off-road vehicle 80 CNY (required to go to the main peak from the North Slope). Tickets for the North Slope and West Slope are not interchangeable.
How to Get There
- You can take high-speed rail from Beijing Capital Airport or Changchun Longjia Airport to Dunhua Station (about 6 hours from Beijing to Dunhua, about 2 hours from Changchun to Dunhua), then transfer to a bus to Erdaobaihe Town (North Slope) or Songjianghe Town (West Slope).
- You can also fly directly to Changbai Mountain Airport (close to the West Slope).
Practical Tips
Comparison of North Slope and West Slope:
- North Slope: The earliest development, with many scenic spots (hot springs, waterfalls, Lvyuan Lake, etc.). Take an off-road vehicle to Tianchi Lake, no need to climb too many steps, but Tianchi Lake has rocks blocking the view. Suitable for first-time visitors who like many scenic spots.
- West Slope: Need to climb 1,442 steps (about 40-60 minutes) to Tianchi Lake, the view is the most open, you can see the full view of Tianchi Lake. Suitable for people with good physical strength who want to see the full view.
The wind at Tianchi main peak is strong and the temperature is low, wear a windbreaker or thin down jacket even in summer. The North Slope off-road vehicle drives fast, fasten your seat belt. Tickets need to be reserved in advance during peak season.
Wuyi Mountain: Classic of Danxia Landform and Bamboo Rafting
Wuyi Mountain is located in Fujian Province, a world cultural and natural heritage site. The Danxia landform is matched with the Jiuqu Stream, drifting slowly down on a bamboo raft, with orange-red cliffs on both sides, the scenery is particularly beautiful. It is also a producing area of oolong tea and black tea.
Best Climbing Time
May to November. It is cool to take a bamboo raft in summer, and autumn is the most comfortable.
Ticket and Bamboo Raft Price
Bamboo raft drifting 130 CNY per person (about 1.5 hours, 6 people per raft). Scenic area combined ticket: one-day combined ticket about 235 CNY (including sightseeing bus + bamboo raft), three-day combined ticket about 250-280 CNY. It is recommended to buy a combined ticket.
How to Get There
- You can transfer from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport or Fuzhou Changle International Airport to Wuyi Mountain North Station or Nanping Station by high-speed rail (about 2.5 hours from Xiamen to Wuyi Mountain).
- Wuyi Mountain Airport is very close to the scenic area, with direct buses.
Practical Tips
- Bamboo rafts must be reserved online 3-7 days in advance, basically no tickets are available on site during peak season. There are fixed shifts every day, until full.
- The steps of Tianyou Peak are very narrow, pay attention to safety when going up and down. It takes about 1 hour to reach the summit, and you can see the full view of Jiuqu Stream.
- The bamboo raft punter will tell stories of scenic spots along the way, usually give 10-20 CNY tip, not mandatory but most tourists will give.
Blue Moon Valley at Yulong Snow Mountain
Yulong Snow Mountain: Glacier Closest to the Equator
Yulong Snow Mountain is located in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, a sacred mountain of the Naxi people. The highest point tourists can reach is the Glacier Park at 4,680 meters above sea level. The water of Blue Moon Valley at the foot of the mountain is blue-green, especially beautiful for taking photos.
Best Climbing Time
November to April of the next year. The weather is sunny and there is a lot of snow. There is more fog and snow melts in summer, the scenery is worse.
Ticket and Cableway Price
Entrance fee 100 CNY. Grand Cableway 140 CNY, to the 4,506-meter viewing platform, you can walk along the plank road to 4,680 meters. Small Cableway 60 CNY, Middle Cableway 65 CNY. Scenic area environmental protection bus 20 CNY.
How to Get There
- You can fly to Kunming Changshui International Airport or Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (some cities have direct flights to Lijiang). Take Bus No. 101 from Lijiang Ancient City for about 1 hour, or share a car to Yulong Snow Mountain Tourist Center.
- You can also join group tours.
Practical Tips
- Grand Cableway ticket grabbing: Tickets are very hard to grab, you need to grab them at 8 p.m. one day in advance on the official mini-program during peak season. Tickets are released at 7 a.m. every day, it is recommended to log in and fill in information in advance. If you can’t grab it, you can consider the Small Cableway to Yunshanping, no risk of altitude sickness.
- Altitude sickness notice: The Grand Cableway terminal is 4,506 meters above sea level, most people will have mild altitude sickness (headache, fatigue). It is recommended to stay in Lijiang (2,400 meters above sea level) for 1-2 days in advance to adapt. Prepare 1-2 cans of oxygen per person, do not run and jump, sit down to rest if dizzy. People with cardiopulmonary diseases should consult a doctor first.
- It is cold on the mountain, wear warm clothes. No extra ticket is needed for Blue Moon Valley.
Hengshan Mountain: Blessing Holy Land at Zhurong Summit of the Southern Mountain
Hengshan Mountain is located in Hengyang, Hunan Province, the Southern Mountain of the Five Great Mountains, famous for “longevity”. The highest peak Zhurong Summit is 1,300.2 meters above sea level, legend has it that the fire god Zhurong lived here. There are many Taoist temples and monasteries on the mountain, and many people come to burn incense and pray for blessings.
Best Climbing Time
Spring and autumn. It is also suitable for summer escape, there are rime at Zhurong Summit in winter but the mountain road is slippery.
Ticket Price
Central scenic area peak season 110 CNY (May-October), off-season 80 CNY. Nanyue Grand Temple charges 58 CNY separately. Students and the elderly have preferential tickets.
How to Get There
- You can transfer from Changsha Huanghua International Airport to Hengshan West Station by high-speed rail (about 40 minutes). There are buses to the scenic area after exiting the station.
- You can also take a regular train to Hengshan Station, then transfer to a medium bus.
Practical Tips
- Climbing route: It takes about 4-5 hours (about 9 kilometers) to walk from the foot to Zhurong Summit. Labor-saving version: Take the environmental protection bus to South Heaven Gate (one-way 44 CNY, about 30 minutes), then walk 30 minutes to Zhurong Summit. There is also a cableway at South Heaven Gate.
- Blessing: There are many tricks in incense shops on the mountain, buy incense in advance. Nanyue Grand Temple and central scenic area tickets are separate.
- It is very cold on the mountain during rime season in winter, wear non-slip shoes.
Hengshan Mountain: Hanging Temple is the Biggest Attraction
Hengshan Mountain is located in Datong, Shanxi Province, also one of the Five Great Mountains. But many people go to Hengshan Mountain actually for the Hanging Temple. The temple is built on the edge of a cliff, supported by wooden pillars, and has existed for more than 1,500 years. The main peak Tianfengling of Hengshan Mountain is 2,016 meters above sea level, and climbing is not difficult.
Best Climbing Time
May to October. It is too cold in winter, and the wind is strong at the Hanging Temple.
Ticket Price
Hengshan Mountain ticket 45 CNY. Hanging Temple exterior ticket 15 CNY (only can watch outside), climbing ticket 100 CNY (can go up and walk around). Cableway 70 CNY one-way.
How to Get There
- You can transfer from Beijing Capital Airport or Taiyuan Wusu International Airport to Datong South Station by high-speed rail (about 2 hours from Beijing to Datong). Take a bus or share a car from Datong Station to Hunyuan County (about 1.5 hours), then take a taxi to the Hanging Temple and Hengshan Mountain.
- You can also charter a car directly from Datong.
Practical Tips
- Hanging Temple climbing ticket: Daily limit of 2,475 people, often sold out in advance during peak season. Online reservation opens at 7:20 every day, you can reserve climbing tickets for the next 7 days. It is recommended to grab tickets at 7:20 sharp 7 days in advance. The offline window also sells same-day tickets, half an hour before the park opens, until sold out.
- If you are short on time, you can only visit the Hanging Temple. It takes about 1 hour to visit and take photos. It takes most of the day to visit both scenic spots, it is recommended to go to the Hanging Temple first in the morning (fewer people), and climb Hengshan Mountain in the afternoon.
- The entrances for climbing tickets and exterior tickets are different, check clearly before checking tickets.
Things to Know Before Visiting China’s Top 10 Famous Mountains
- Save on tickets: Off-season (November to February or March of the next year) tickets are 30% to 50% cheaper. Students and the elderly get half price or free with certificates. Most mountains need online reservation in advance.
- Convenient transportation: There are high-speed rail stations near each mountain, with scenic through buses or buses after exiting the station. Direct taxi is not recommended, carpooling is more cost-effective.
- Accommodation on the mountain: Hotels on the summit are 2 to 3 times more expensive than at the foot. If you want to watch the sunrise, you can stay in a homestay at the foot and start climbing at 3 or 4 a.m.
- Essential equipment: Non-slip hiking shoes, hiking stick, knee pads, flashlight, raincoat, thermos cup, a small amount of snacks. Do not bring too much water.
- High altitude notice: Yulong Snow Mountain (4,680 meters) and Changbai Mountain Tianchi Lake (about 2,500 meters) are high in altitude. Stay one night in Lijiang (2,400 meters) to adapt before going to Yulong Snow Mountain. Prepare oxygen, do not run and jump.
If you still have unclear questions about China’s Top 10 Famous Mountains, or want to get more details, China Dragon Travel can help you check the latest ticket information, transportation plans and best climbing seasons according to the mountains you plan to visit and travel arrangements. It is a more reasonable choice to spend time and energy on climbing itself.
