Plan at a glance
Location, opening hours and visit time
Zipeng Mountain National Forest Park is at 1 Senlin Avenue in Zipeng Town, Feixi County, Hefei. First-time visitors can navigate to the North Gate or the visitor centre. Entry through the park gate is free and no reservation is required. The reference gate hours are 24 hours, but internal sites such as Xilu Temple have reference hours of 08:00–17:30; attractions and services inside the park do not run all day simply because the gate is open.
Allow 2–2.5 hours to take a sightseeing bus up the mountain and walk back down. Allow 3–4 hours if you also want to visit Xianren Lake, Buddha Garden, and the rear-mountain path. The reference sightseeing-bus fare is CNY 15 per person one way and CNY 25 return. Xilu Temple may charge about CNY 10 per person as an incense offering fee, which is separate from the park entrance.
Who this visit suits
The park suits hikers, forest walkers, visitors interested in temple architecture, and mountain photographers. It can also work as a half-day family outing. There are both gentle lakeside paths and steeper mountain trails, so choose a route according to your fitness and the weather.
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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Xilu Temple, Buddha Garden, and Xianren Lake
Xilu Temple is on the summit and is the park’s main cultural site. Buddha Garden is halfway up the mountain and has large stone carvings, including the Three Buddhas and Five Hundred Arhats. Xianren Lake is near the entrance, with a lakeside path and a pavilion in the middle of the water. The three areas sit at different elevations, so a full visit needs time for climbing, descending, and transfers.
The short and long routes
The short route starts with a sightseeing bus from the visitor centre to Xilu Temple. After visiting the temple, walk down the path behind it, pass through Buddha Garden, and return to the visitor centre. It suits visitors with limited time or those who do not want to climb the entire way. The long route starts at the North Gate, visits Xianren Lake first, then passes Buddha Garden before climbing to Xilu Temple. It covers more ground and requires more walking.
Choosing by interest and fitness
Visitors interested in temples and stone carvings can prioritise Xilu Temple and Buddha Garden. Those who prefer nature walks can start with Xianren Lake and the forest paths. Families should consider children’s stamina, the day’s conditions, and which sections a stroller can reach; whether a stroller passes comfortably depends on the specific path. Dirt paths and rear-mountain slopes are more slippery after rain, and forest tracks are not suitable for continuing deeper after dark.
Build your day
A 2–2.5 hour sightseeing-bus route
Take the sightseeing bus uphill from the visitor centre, visit Xilu Temple, then walk down the path behind the temple, pass through Buddha Garden, and return to the visitor centre. The bus offers one-way and return tickets; this short route uses the bus uphill and walking downhill through Buddha Garden. The reference one-way fare is CNY 15 per person, and any Xilu Temple incense offering fee is separate.
A 3–4 hour Xianren Lake and temple route
Enter through the North Gate and go to Xianren Lake first. Follow the lakeside path, continue to Buddha Garden for the stone carvings, and then walk uphill to Xilu Temple. After the visit, you can descend by the rear-mountain path on the other side of Xilu Temple and return to the visitor centre. Opening, conditions, and weather have a greater effect on the rear-mountain section, so look at the signs when you arrive.
Walking pace and safety
Xianren Lake, Buddha Garden, and Xilu Temple are connected by slopes and continuous walking, and dirt paths may be slippery after rain. Mosquitoes are numerous in summer, so use appropriate protection. Wild animals may appear in the rear mountain; stay with companions and finish that section before dark. If the sightseeing bus, temple, or part of the trail is temporarily closed, use only the sections open that day.
Get there
Metro and bus
Take Metro Line 4 to Tongluozhai Road Station, then transfer to Bus 80 for the park. Short-route Line 80 services may not stop at the scenic area, so confirm the drop-off point and final walk before boarding. Public transport takes a relatively long time, and return services also need attention.
Driving and parking
Navigate to the Zipeng Mountain Visitor Centre car park. The reference parking fee is CNY 5 per hour or CNY 10 per day. You can also navigate to the North Gate or visitor centre and follow the on-site directions to a parking area. Leaving may take longer on weekends and public holidays; if you plan to take the sightseeing bus down, check its last service in advance.
Know before you go
Free gate and internal charges
The park gate is free and no reservation is required. The sightseeing bus, the Xilu Temple incense offering, and any paid activities along the route are charged separately. The reference bus fares are CNY 15 one way and CNY 25 return; the roughly CNY 10 fee at Xilu Temple is not an entrance ticket. Prices and services follow the arrangements on the day.
Opening conditions, paths, and protection
The gate’s 24-hour reference opening does not mean that Xilu Temple, the sightseeing bus, or other services run all day. Reference hours for internal attractions are 08:00–17:30. Dirt paths are slippery after rain, summer brings more mosquitoes, and wild boar or snakes may appear in the rear mountain. Walk with companions and finish the rear-mountain route before dark. Some areas may be under construction or maintenance, and stroller access and trail conditions need to be checked when you arrive.
Water, food, and nearby stops
The mountain routes are long, so bring enough drinking water and simple snacks; food can be arranged at the foot of the mountain or on the way back. Dayan Bay is another possible short stop, but its flower season and opening conditions vary by season. If you are continuing elsewhere that day, leave enough time for the descent and return transport.