Plan at a glance
Main mountain areas and time needed
Qianshan’s main hiking areas are Beigou (North Valley) and the Wufoding ridge. Depending on the route and your pace, allow half a day to most of a day. Dafo Temple and Lingyan Temple are in other parts of the mountain and are not stops on the Beigou summit route described here, so allow separate time to reach them.
Choose between the ropeway-assisted express route and the full hike before entering. Both start at the scenic area’s north entrance; once inside, follow the signs to the shuttle stop or trailhead.
Tickets and opening hours
Standard admission is CNY 80 in the high season (April–October) and CNY 60 in the low season (November–March). From April 1 to October 31, 2026, the scenic area is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, with last entry at 5:00 pm. These hours apply to the 2026 high-season notice; check the information for your travel dates outside this period.
The park shuttle costs CNY 15 per ride. A one-way Wufoding ropeway ticket costs CNY 50; neither is included in admission. Discounts are available for seniors and other eligible visitors under the relevant ticket rules. A foreign passport or an overseas student ID does not automatically qualify for domestic discount categories.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Wufoding and the Beigou ridge
Wufoding, the Five Buddha Peak, stands at 554.12 metres in Beigou and offers views across the surrounding peaks. There are still steps between the ropeway’s upper station and the summit, so this option suits visitors who want to reduce the uphill hike but can manage a further climb on foot.
Jiabianshi (Narrow Rock), Tianshangtian, Xiaohuangshan, Yizitian and Tianwaitian are among the named sights along the Beigou long-route direction, with ridge scenery and rock formations along the way. Yibudengtian (One Step to Heaven), near Jiabianshi, is an optional climbing spot.
Dafo Temple, Lingyan Temple and food stops
Near Dafo Temple, a natural rock formation shaped like Maitreya Buddha is one of Qianshan’s most unusual sights. Lingyan Temple is another attraction in the wider mountain area. Neither is a stop on the Beigou summit route, so allow extra time if you plan to visit them.
Cirongzhai near Dafo Temple is a place to look for vegetarian noodles, while vegetarian buns are another local food option around Lingyan Temple. Check availability if you plan to eat in these areas. Nanguoli pear huoshao, a local pastry, is another snack option. These stops are in the temple areas, so include the mountain transfer if you plan to visit them.
For a city-centre temple visit focused on jade carving, see Jade Buddha Palace (Yufoyuan).
Build your day
Ropeway express route: about 3–4 hours
From the north entrance, take the park shuttle to the Wufoding ropeway station. Buy a one-way uphill ticket, ride to the upper station, then walk about 15–20 minutes to the summit. For a ropeway round trip, walk back from Wufoding to the upper station, take the downhill ropeway to the base, and transfer to the shuttle for the return to the entrance. The downhill ropeway and return shuttle are charged separately.
If you descend on foot instead, check which trails and exits are open that day and how to return to the main entrance. A walking descent uses a different route from the ropeway return.
Beigou hiking route: about 5–6 hours
Take the park shuttle to Wuliang Guan (无量观), then follow the trail past East Pavilion (东阁), West Pavilion (西阁), Jiabianshi (夹扁石) and Tianshangtian (天上天). Continue via Xiaohuangshan (小黄山), Yizitian (一字天) and Tianwaitian (天外天), following the route through Yulan Mountain (御览山) toward Wufoding (五佛顶). The long hike is best suited to visitors with some mountain-hiking experience. Allow extra time for the descent and return to the entrance; the 5–6-hour estimate is a guide, not a guaranteed total for the full return journey.
Descent and temple-area transfers
From Wufoding, you can take the ropeway down. Another option is to leave the long route early at Tianwaitian and descend toward Longquan Temple. The available walking exits and the return connection to the main entrance depend on the trails open that day.
Dafo Temple and Lingyan Temple are not on the Beigou long-route sequence. Allow separate transfer time rather than treating them as stops on the same summit hike.
Get there
Entrance and parking
For driving, navigate to the north entrance of Qianshan Scenic Area. Parking is about CNY 10 per visit; enter the scenic area through the main gate after parking.
Public transport and on-site shuttles
The “千山号” (Qianshan Hao) tourist bus runs from the area in front of Anshan Railway Station. The fare is CNY 3 and the trip takes about one hour. Bus routes 8 and 8A also reach the scenic area but make more stops and take longer. From the bus stop, walk to the main entrance.
Park shuttles serve Wuliang Guan and the lower Wufoding ropeway station. Buy a separate ropeway ticket at the station; after descending, allow time for the shuttle ride back to the entrance.
Know before you go
2026 high-season operating hours
The high-season notice for April 1–October 31, 2026, lists the visitor centre as open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, park shuttles from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the ropeway from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. The scenic area’s entry hours are listed above. Ropeway and shuttle schedules differ, so leave enough time to return to the upper station and travel down. For other seasons or temporary changes, check the notice for your travel date.
Footwear, narrow passages and weather
The narrow rock passage at Jiabianshi and the steep ladder and chain-assisted climb at Yibudengtian are not suitable for everyone. Wear shoes with good grip, especially after rain, and avoid these sections if you are uncomfortable with tight spaces or steep climbs.