Plan at a glance
Start at Chazhuang Visitor Centre, then transfer uphill
Tianzhu Mountain Scenic Area is in Tianzhushan Town, Qianshan City, Anqing. Chazhuang Visitor Centre is the main transport hub. Drivers and visitors arriving from the high-speed rail station transfer here to the scenic shuttle; the main uphill approaches are Dalongwo Cableway Station and South Gate.
For a first visit, allow 3–4 hours for the short loop, 5–6 hours for the Xiguan (West Pass) grand loop, or 7–8 hours or more for the East–West Pass crossing. The East–West route has more downhill walking and steeper sections, so it suits visitors with solid mountain-hiking experience. With older adults or children, the short loop or Xiguan route is easier to manage.
Tickets, scenic transport and reservations
The entrance ticket, scenic shuttle and cableway are charged under the ticket rules for your travel date. Students, teachers and other eligible groups may receive seasonal free-entry or discounted arrangements; check the current ticket rules before purchase.
Some visitors using free or discounted tickets may still need an advance real-name reservation. The main area generally opens in the morning and closes in the evening, with entry stopping before the closing time; start early if you plan a long hike.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Xiguan: peaks, caves and a mountain lake
The main Xiguan sights include Shenmi Valley (神秘谷), Baibu Cloud Ladder (百步云梯), Tianchi Peak, Penglai Peak, Qinglong Ridge and Liandan Lake. Tianchi Peak gives a view of Tianzhu Peak, Penglai Peak has cliffs on three sides, and Liandan Lake is a good place for mountain-water and reflection photographs.
This area suits first-time visitors who want the main mountain scenery within half a day to a full day. Shenmi Valley and Baibu Cloud Ladder have long stair sections, while the exposed sections of Qinglong Ridge require steady footing.
Dongguan: the longer crossing route
Dongguan connects with Yingzhen Peak, Queqiao Bridge and the glass walkway, and is usually part of the full East–West crossing. The route takes 7–8 hours or more, with substantial downhill walking. Weather, fitness and cableway operation can all affect the pace.
Treat Dongguan as a full-day mountain route. If you only want Tianzhu Peak, Shenmi Valley and Liandan Lake, the Xiguan grand loop is enough; continuing into Dongguan adds distance and a more demanding descent.
Photo stops and who the routes suit
Tianchi Peak works well for a full view of Tianzhu Peak, Penglai Peak for misty cliff scenes, and Liandan Lake for mountain reflections. Visitors who enjoy long hikes can consider the East–West route; when time is limited or the group has mixed fitness levels, the short loop is easier to manage.
Build your day
Short loop: return by Dalongwo Cableway
Take the Dalongwo Cableway uphill → Zhenyigang → Shenmi Valley → Tianchi Peak → return to Dalongwo for the downhill cableway. Allow about 3–4 hours. Tianchi Peak is the main turnaround point, and the route still includes caves, stairs and ridge sections, so wear shoes suitable for stone steps.
This route suits visitors with limited time or anyone who wants to reduce the amount of walking. After reaching Tianchi Peak, decide whether to stay longer based on the weather, your energy and the cableway queue.
Xiguan grand loop: add Penglai Peak, Qinglong Ridge and Liandan Lake
Take the Dalongwo Cableway uphill → Zhenyigang → Shenmi Valley → Tianchi Peak → Penglai Peak → Qinglong Ridge → Liandan Lake → return to Dalongwo for the downhill cableway. Allow about 5–6 hours. Compared with the short loop, this route adds cliffs, ridge walking and a high mountain lake, and photo stops will extend the visit.
Start in the morning for this route. If rain or mist makes Qinglong Ridge slippery, or a companion tires, finish at the main Xiguan sights and return towards Dalongwo.
East–West crossing: enter at Dalongwo and exit by Longtan River Cableway
Take the Dalongwo Cableway uphill → visit the main Xiguan sights → Liandan Lake → Huamei Ridge → Yingzhen Peak, Queqiao Bridge and the glass walkway in Dongguan → descend by Longtan River Cableway. This usually takes 7–8 hours or more. It is a long crossing with substantial downhill walking in the second half, and the return also depends on Longtan River Cableway operation and visitor flow.
South Gate is another uphill hiking entrance. Walking from South Gate to the Tianzhu Peak area takes about 2–3 hours, making the overall trip considerably longer than the short Dalongwo Cableway loop.
Get there
Take the high-speed rail to Qianshan, then continue to Chazhuang
From Qianshan Station, you can take a direct scenic shuttle to Chazhuang Visitor Centre; the ride takes about 40 minutes. Shared rides are another option. Public-transport services can change by date, so pay particular attention to the return service and the last departure.
Drivers should navigate to Chazhuang Visitor Centre. The centre has a large car park. After parking, transfer to the scenic shuttle; private cars cannot drive directly to the mountain trailheads. The shuttle is sold as a return arrangement under the ticket rules for the day.
Move between the trailheads and cableways
Dalongwo Cableway connects with the Xiguan short and grand loops. South Gate is used for uphill hiking, while the East–West crossing enters at Dalongwo and descends towards Longtan River Cableway. Before setting out, check which cableway and scenic-shuttle services are operating and when entry stops. Different exits affect where you collect the car and how you return.
Know before you go
Limited mountain supplies
There are few supply points on the mountain, and drinks and simple meals usually cost noticeably more than below. Bring water and high-energy snacks for a long hike.
Mist, stairs and the cableways
Rain and mist can reduce visibility at Tianzhu Peak, Penglai Peak and Liandan Lake. Wet conditions also slow the sections through Shenmi Valley, Qinglong Ridge and the descents. Muyang River Cableway uses open chairlifts, so visitors who are afraid of heights should consider another route.
Stay on the main scenic paths and maintained routes with clear signs. The Baibu Cloud Ladder, exposed cliff sections and the long East–West route all require attention to the on-site safety notices; shorten the route if visibility falls or the ground becomes slippery.
Nearby stops after the mountain
There are local restaurants near Chazhuang Visitor Centre, where you can arrange dishes such as stone-pot fish, local pork hotpot and chicken soup after coming down. Valley Spring Culture Park, Tianzhu Mountain Grand Canyon, Jiuqu River rafting, Sanzu Zen Temple and Tianzhu Mountain Geology Museum can be visited separately if time allows; each has its own entrance and travel time.