Plan at a glance
First, distinguish Qishan and Pingtian Lake
Qishan–Pingtian Lake Scenic Area includes Qishan Park and the Pingtian Lake area. Qishan Park is at No. 138 Qishan Avenue in Guichi District and focuses on climbing and cliff inscriptions. Pingtian Lake extends around Pingtian Lake Road and has several entrances, including Lotus Terrace and the pier; it is mainly for lakeside walks, cycling, and views.
Pingtian Lake is free, requires no reservation, and is usually open all day. The reference ticket price for Qishan is about CNY 40, with opening hours around 08:00–17:00. The Pingtian Lake boardwalk, Wanghua Tower, and other facilities have their own opening and maintenance arrangements. Wanghua Tower usually closes around 17:00, so visit it earlier in the day.
Half a day or a full day
Visiting only Lotus Terrace, the Pingtian Lake boardwalk, and Wanghua Tower takes about 3–4 hours. If you add the Qishan climb and cliff inscriptions, plan for a full day. The loop around Pingtian Lake is about 16 km; walking the whole way takes considerable energy, so a shared electric bike or a car is more suitable for longer moves.
Qishan and Pingtian Lake have separate arrangements for tickets, parking, roads, and supporting facilities. Pingtian Lake itself is free, but Wanghua Tower, the boardwalk, and parking areas each have their own opening or maintenance arrangements.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Lakeside scenery at Pingtian Lake
Pingtian Lake is suited to Lotus Terrace, the Pingtian Lake boardwalk, and the “Sky Road” extending into the lake. The boardwalk offers a close-to-the-water walking perspective, Lotus Terrace is good for broad lake views and sunsets, and the loop around the lake is better explored by bike or car.
Lakeside scenery depends on weather, wind, and light. Early morning or late afternoon is better for photographing reflections on the water and road. The boardwalk and some roads may close temporarily because of weather or maintenance; if you meet a closure, take another lakeside route.
Qishan’s cliff inscriptions and mountain scenery
Qishan suits visitors interested in history, inscriptions, and climbing. Cliff inscriptions dating from the Tang dynasty onward are distributed across the mountain, and the climbing route combines historic sites with mountain scenery.
Wanghua Tower on Bishan
Wanghua Tower stands on the summit of Bishan on the east shore of Pingtian Lake, with views over the lake and Chizhou city. It is outside Qishan’s ticketed sightseeing area and can be one stop on a route around Pingtian Lake; if you want to go up the tower, pay attention to the opening time for the day.
The Qishan climb involves sustained walking and elevation gain, unlike the flatter lakeside paths. If someone in your group prefers lake scenery, spend less time on Qishan and continue to Pingtian Lake for cycling or a lakeside walk.
What kind of visitor is it for?
Pingtian Lake suits visitors who enjoy lake views, photography, cycling, and relaxed outdoor activities. Qishan suits visitors interested in local history, cliff inscriptions, and climbing. If you want both experiences, climb Qishan in the morning and transfer to Pingtian Lake in the afternoon.
Build your day
Half-day route: Lotus Terrace, the pier, and Wanghua Tower
Enter from Lotus Terrace at Pingtian Lake, see the lakeside scenery first, then continue to the Pingtian Lake boardwalk, and finish around Wanghua Tower for the architecture and distant mountains. The faster route takes about 3–4 hours. Points around the lake are far apart, so move according to your parking position or by shared electric bike.
If you are visiting only Pingtian Lake, you do not need to enter Qishan’s ticketed area. Lotus Terrace, the Pingtian Lake boardwalk, and Wanghua Tower on Bishan can be the main stops on the lakeside route. If you want to go up Wanghua Tower, visit it before its closing time around 17:00 and check whether the tower and access route are open that day.
One-day route: from Qishan to a Pingtian Lake sunset
Visit Qishan Park in the morning, focusing on the cliff inscriptions and mountain scenery. In the afternoon, transfer to Pingtian Lake and cycle or drive between Lotus Terrace, the Pingtian Lake boardwalk, and Wanghua Tower on Bishan. In the evening, choose a lakeside spot for sunset.
This route puts Qishan’s climb in the part of the day when you have more energy, while the Pingtian Lake section focuses on lakeside movement and views. Qishan and Pingtian Lake have different entrances, so use separate navigation targets when driving between them.
A short Qishan climb plus a lakeside walk
If you only want an introduction to Qishan’s historical content, allow 1–2 hours for a short climb, then return to Pingtian Lake for a short lakeside walk. The full lake loop is about 16 km, and there is no need to compress your Qishan visit or return journey just to complete it.
Get there
Driving, taxis, and entrances
For Chinese map apps, use “齐山大道 138 号” for Qishan Park.
Navigate to “No. 138 Qishan Avenue” for Qishan Park. For Pingtian Lake, choose a specific entrance such as Lotus Terrace or the pier as your navigation target. A taxi ride from Chizhou Station to Pingtian Lake takes about 15 minutes; because the lake area is large, choose the entrance according to the day’s parking and walking conditions after you arrive.
Free parking spaces may be available along the lake, but parking can be tight at popular spots such as the pier. Qishan and Pingtian Lake have different entrances, so use separate navigation targets when driving between them.
Moving around the lake and parking
The loop around Pingtian Lake is about 16 km. A shared electric bike or a car works well for connecting Lotus Terrace, the pier, and other points. Before renting, confirm the return zone and which roads can be used that day, as some lakeside roads may change because of management or maintenance.
Parking capacity and road conditions around the lake vary by time of day. If a popular spot is full, use another open parking area and continue on foot or by bike rather than stopping for a long time to take photos on a road used by vehicles.
Know before you go
Qishan charges admission; Pingtian Lake is free
The reference Qishan ticket price is about CNY 40, with opening hours around 08:00–17:00. Pingtian Lake is free, requires no reservation, and is usually open all day. Wanghua Tower closes around 17:00, while the pier, roads, and other facilities may change temporarily because of maintenance; choose your route according to the on-site notice.
Parking, shared electric bikes, food, and other supporting facilities are separate from Pingtian Lake’s free admission. Budget for Qishan and Pingtian Lake separately rather than assuming there is one combined ticket.
Sun protection and safety around the lake
The Pingtian Lake loop is about 16 km, and some sections have limited shade. In summer, bring drinking water, sun protection, and mosquito repellent. Pay attention to vehicles when cycling or driving, and photograph the “Sky Road” from a viewpoint or a safe roadside shoulder rather than standing in the middle of a road used by vehicles.
Qishan has climbs and steps, and stone surfaces may be slippery after rain. The opening status of Wanghua Tower, the boardwalk, and other elevated facilities can differ each day; shorten the climb if your stamina or the weather changes.
Lake fish and dining in the city
Lake-fish dishes are available near Pingtian Lake, including fish-head soup cooked in a clay pot and steamed white fish, which work well before or after a loop around the lake. Guichi xiaoba, rice dumplings, “Four Dishes,” “Pig-Slaughter Soup,” and other local flavours can also be chosen at restaurants in the city according to your taste.
If you complete the Qishan climb and lake cycling on the same day, choose a restaurant along your return direction. Before leaving, confirm the parking area, vehicle return point, and route back so the distances around the lake do not make you miss later transport.