Plan at a glance
Entrance and visit areas
Chaoyang Phoenix Mountain lies east of downtown Chaoyang, with the entrance at the foot of the mountain. Visit in sections: Lower Temple, Middle Temple, and Upper Temple. Named sites include Yanshou Temple (延寿寺), Yunjie Temple (云接寺), Huayan Temple (华严寺), and several historic pagodas. Search for “朝阳凤凰山景区” (Chaoyang Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area) to distinguish it from the similarly named attraction in Dandong.
Allow about 2.5 hours for a standard visit. If you continue from Lower Temple to the Upper Temple area and descend by the Jiangxiang Eighteen Turns (降香十八盘), allow half a day. Actual time depends on walking pace, which sites are open, and shuttle operating hours.
Admission and opening hours
Admission is seasonal: CNY 60 per person from April 1 to October 31, and CNY 30 per person on other dates. For the 2026 peak season, the park opens at 06:00 and stops admitting visitors at 17:00. Check the park's latest notice for winter hours.
Operating hours for the shuttle and on-site venues have changed, and no detailed shuttle timetable is posted. Check the day's notice for reservation requirements; if visiting in the afternoon, ask whether the temples and caves are open.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Lower and Middle Temples for a shorter visit
Yanshou Temple and Fobao Pagoda (佛宝塔) are near the shuttle terminal at Lower Temple. From Jixiang Square (吉祥广场), you can see the temple buildings and pagodas on the hillside. Access inside the pagoda and worship areas depends on the signs on site.
The walk uphill from Lower Temple to Yunjie Temple at Middle Temple takes about 20 minutes. Moyun Pagoda's (摩云塔) brick carvings can be viewed from outside; entry is subject to that day's rules.
Upper Temple, caves, and mountain views
If you have enough time and energy, continue toward Upper Temple, passing Lingxiao Pagoda (凌霄塔), viewpoints, and the mountain path known as the Jiangxiang Eighteen Turns. The Upper Temple area is associated with the historic site of Huayan Temple and later rebuilt structures. Treat this area as a scenic and historical stop; whether the halls are open for entry depends on the day's notices.
Other named features include the Reclining Buddha Cave (卧佛古洞), the Reverse-Seated Guanyin Cave (倒坐观音洞), and the White-Robed Guanyin statue (白衣观音像). Call before your visit to confirm cave access, close-up viewing, and photography rules.
Build your day
Two- to three-hour out-and-back route
After ticket check at the South Mountain Gate (南山门), follow the signs to the shuttle stop and ride to Jixiang Square at Lower Temple. Visit Lower Temple and the area around Fobao Pagoda, then walk about 20 minutes uphill to Yunjie Temple and Moyun Pagoda at Middle Temple. After your visit, return to Lower Temple and take the shuttle downhill. The one-way fare is CNY 10; budget CNY 20 per person for a round trip.
For a shorter visit, explore Lower Temple and return to Jixiang Square to wait for the shuttle. Allow time for the wait. The last shuttle time has not been published and may differ from the park's closing time.
Half-day climb with a descent on the Eighteen Turns
Start at Lower Temple and follow the mountain path to Yunjie Temple at Middle Temple, then continue uphill to the Upper Temple area. Visit the pagodas, temple exteriors, and viewpoints that are open. Allow about 4–5 hours for the full route; the actual time depends on walking pace, open areas, and rest stops.
The stone-step Jiangxiang Eighteen Turns links the Upper Temple area with a road within the mountain. Its lower end is not a confirmed exit to an outside pick-up point. After the steps, you may still need to continue downhill along the mountain road or a trail.
The shuttle mainly runs between the South Mountain Gate and Jixiang Square at Lower Temple; do not assume you can board at the bottom of the Eighteen Turns. Before taking this path, confirm whether it is open, what road it joins at the bottom, and how to return to the South Mountain Gate. If you cannot confirm the return route, retrace your steps to Lower Temple.
Get there
From downtown Chaoyang
A taxi from downtown Chaoyang to the scenic-area archway takes about 10 minutes, depending on traffic. From the archway, walk another 200–300 m to the ticket gate. For navigation, search for “朝阳凤凰山风景区停车场” (Chaoyang Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area Parking Lot). The reference parking price is CNY 2 per hour; check the posted rate on arrival.
Chaoyang bus information from 2024 listed Routes 10, 14, and 15 as serving Phoenix Mountain. These are historical route details. Call the bus information line at 0421-2624777 on the day of travel to confirm stops, schedules, and the walk from the stop.
From Liaoning Chaoyang High-Speed Railway Station, you can also check the tourist loop bus that passes Phoenix Mountain. Rides were free from October 1–7, 2026; regular fares resumed on October 8. Call 0421-2624777 to confirm current schedules and boarding points.
Sightseeing shuttle stop
The shuttle runs from the South Mountain Gate to Jixiang Square at Lower Temple and costs CNY 10 per ride. After ticket check, the shuttle stop is about a 400 m walk away. If anyone in your group has difficulty walking, ask entrance staff whether there is a nearer boarding point. You will still need to walk uphill after reaching Lower Temple.
Know before you go
Free admission and identification
Chaoyang residents and some long-term nonlocal residents may qualify for free admission by presenting an ID card and the required supporting documents. Some residents must verify their status in the official mini-program or complete a manual check at the ticket office on their first visit. This is not a general discount for all visitors from outside Chaoyang.
Passport-based registration and eligibility for free admission have not been confirmed. If you are using a passport, call 0421-2860179; until eligibility is confirmed, budget for a regular admission ticket. The shuttle fare is separate.
Timing, effort, and etiquette
Peak-season last entry is 17:00, but temples, caves, and transport may stop operating earlier. An earlier listing put Yunjie Temple's closing time at around 16:20, but this time has not been reconfirmed. If visiting the temple complex is a priority, arrive in the morning and confirm which areas are open.
The route from Lower to Middle Temple involves a sustained uphill walk and stone steps; the Eighteen Turns descent also has stone steps. Bring water and essential supplies before leaving Lower Temple. Slow down when the path is wet or icy, and follow on-site signs for temple etiquette, photography, and restricted areas.