Plan at a glance
A mountain hike starting at Erzu Temple
Sikong Mountain is in Dianqian Town, Yuexi County, Anqing. Erzu Temple is the main entrance and the starting point for the mountain trail. The area is free and open all day, with a car park at the foot of the mountain; the access road has many narrow bends, so driving requires care.
The short route takes about 2–3 hours and turns back at the waterfall fork. Reaching the Erzu Temple Upper Courtyard takes about 4–5 hours, while continuing to the summit is longer and more demanding. The full summit route is anchored at about 4,700 steps and nearly 900 metres of ascent.
Prepare for a hike with few facilities
Supplies on the mountain are limited. There is a small shop near the Erzu Temple Upper Courtyard, but no full meal service. This is a better fit for hikers and visitors interested in the temple and mountain setting; visitors looking for an easy stop with plenty of facilities should avoid the long routes.
Steps, exposed sections and chain-assisted passages become more slippery after rain. Cloud seas, sunrise and sunset all depend heavily on weather and visibility, so they are not guaranteed on every visit.
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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Short route to the waterfall fork
Climb about 1,300 steps from the Erzu Temple trail entrance to the waterfall fork, then return. This short route gives you old stone steps, forest and a stream valley, and suits visitors with limited time or anyone who wants a single section of mountain walking.
There are still long stair sections and uneven stone surfaces, so shoes with good grip are useful. In rain, after rain or when a companion is not comfortable with a long climb, the short route is the better choice.
The Upper Courtyard and the longer summit route
Continue uphill to the Erzu Temple Upper Courtyard at about 900 metres above sea level; the return trip takes about 4–5 hours. The temple remains and mountain views are the main stopping points. At the Upper Courtyard, you can turn back; if the weather and your stamina are suitable, continue towards the summit.
The full summit route has about 4,700 steps and nearly 900 metres of ascent, and suits visitors with solid mountain-hiking experience. Some exposed sections use chains for support, so visitors who are afraid of heights should choose the short route or turn back at the Upper Courtyard.
Temple and mountain views
Erzu Temple and the Upper Courtyard retain the spatial relationship of mountain temples, with buildings, stone steps and forest connected along the same hiking route. On a clear day, the summit looks across the Dabie Mountains; cloud seas, sunrise and sunset depend on the day's cloud cover and visibility.
Visitors who enjoy photography can shoot the temple and distant mountains from the Upper Courtyard, or continue to the summit for wider mountain views. The distant view of Sikong Mountain from Hupo Village (琥珀村) is a separate stop and does not replace the hike on the mountain.
Build your day
Short route: Erzu Temple to the waterfall fork
Erzu Temple trail entrance → climb about 1,300 steps → waterfall fork → return to Erzu Temple along the same path. Allow about 2–3 hours. The route consists mainly of stone steps, forest and a stream valley, with downhill sections on the return.
Carry water and simple food before setting out. Turn back at the fork based on the time available. After rain, the stone steps are slippery; hold the rail or chain and do not continue uphill if your footing is unstable.
Mid-length route: walk to the Upper Courtyard
Erzu Temple trail entrance → waterfall fork → continue uphill → Erzu Temple Upper Courtyard at about 900 metres → visit the courtyard and return along the same path. Allow about 4–5 hours. The Upper Courtyard is the stage endpoint for visitors who want both the mountain path and the temple remains.
The return still includes long stair sections. Supplies are limited, so carry enough water and high-energy food; in mist or when your legs tire, descend directly after reaching the Upper Courtyard.
Long route: continue to the summit
Continue from the Upper Courtyard towards the summit. The full ascent is about 4,700 steps and nearly 900 metres. Exposed sections and chain-assisted passages make the route harder, and a summit attempt also takes time for the stay at the top, photography and the descent.
This route is not suitable for a start close to noon or for companions without mountain-hiking experience. If the steps are wet, mist thickens or visibility drops, turn back at the Upper Courtyard or earlier.
Get there
Drive to Erzu Temple
Navigate to “Sikong Mountain Scenic Area” or “Erzu Temple” and start the hike from Erzu Temple. There is a car park at the foot of the mountain; after parking, walk to the trail. The scenic area has no internal transport that replaces the long hike.
The mountain road from Yuexi has many bends and narrow sections. Slow down for passing traffic, and leave from Erzu Temple by the same road after the visit; public transport and last-minute taxis are unreliable.
Walking is the main way to move inside
Erzu Temple is the common starting point for the short, mid-length and summit routes. There are no continuous shuttle facilities between the Upper Courtyard, waterfall fork and summit, so the selected route is completed mainly on foot.
Sikong Mountain can be combined with other Yuexi mountain attractions, but each has its own entrance and roads. Visit nearby villages or farmhouse restaurants after descending and collecting the car.
Know before you go
Stairs, slippery ground and exposed sections
The stone steps vary in height and become slippery after rain. Some exposed sections use chains for support. Wear non-slip sports shoes and consider carrying trekking poles; visitors who are afraid of heights or have limited mobility are better off finishing at the short route or Upper Courtyard.
Stay on the marked mountain path and do not enter unmaintained sections for a photo angle. An adult should stay with children throughout exposed and chain-assisted sections.
Water and food
There are very few supply points on the mountain. A small shop is available near the Erzu Temple Upper Courtyard, but there is no full meal service. Bring water even for the short route, and carry high-energy food for the Upper Courtyard or summit routes.
After descending, you can eat in Dianqian Town, near Erzu Temple or in another Yuexi township. The limited mountain shop supply is not enough for a long hike, so bring drinking water and energy snacks.
Weather and summit views
Cloud seas, sunrise and sunset all depend on weather and visibility. When mist thickens, the summit view becomes shorter, and rain also makes the stone steps and exposed sections harder to walk.
Check the weather trend before leaving and shorten the route in thunderstorms, obvious slippery conditions or poor visibility. When photographing the distant mountain view, summit or temple, keep the path clear and do not stay for long in narrow sections.