Plan at a glance
No. 22 Dengshan Road in Hukou County
Shizhong Mountain is at No. 22 Dengshan Road in Hukou County, Jiujiang. Navigate to “Shizhong Mountain National Tourist Scenic Area”; a clear archway marks the entrance. This is an independent Hukou County attraction, not part of a walking route in Xunyang District. Its main draws are sites connected with Su Shi, views from the hill and the meeting waters of the river and lake.
Tickets and opening hours
The standard ticket costs about CNY 44. Visitors aged 65 or above can apply for free admission under the applicable rules with valid identity documents or a passport. Children aged six or younger, or children no taller than 1.2 metres, enter free; discounts for other minors and students follow the ticket policy on the day. Hukou County residents and other local groups have additional free-admission policies. No reservation is required, and opening hours are 08:00–17:30. Shizhong Mountain tickets are separate from the riverside tickets for Xunyang Tower and Pipa Pavilion.
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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Sites connected with Su Shi’s Record of the Stone Bell Mountain
Along the hill path, see the Su Shi statue, Huaisu Pavilion and the stele corridor. The climb can be paired with the literary setting of Su Shi’s Record of the Stone Bell Mountain. Jiangtian Yilan Pavilion is the main viewpoint, where the historical reading and the river view come together.
Two colours of water and views from outside the park
At the meeting point of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake, the water can appear clear on one side and turbid on the other. Shizhong Mountain gives a view from above; outside the park, Shizhong Lou (石钟楼) offers a wider view of the mountain and open water. Shizhong Lou (石钟楼) is outside the scenic area, while Hukou Catholic Church is another nearby stop for views of a red-roofed building and a Chinese-style tower in the same frame.
Who it suits
Visitors interested in Su Shi’s writing, natural water systems or military history can choose among the hill walk, a boat ride and a distant view of the retired Jiujiang naval vessel (九江舰). The hill is not very high for families, but riverside steps can be slippery and steep; children and slower walkers should stay with the group on the safe path.
Build your day
A one-hour hill route
Enter through the archway and follow the main path to the Su Shi statue, Huaisu Pavilion and stele corridor. Climb to Jiangtian Yilan Pavilion to observe the meeting waters, then return by the same route or use the rear path if it is open. The hill route takes about one hour.
A 2–3-hour hill-and-boat route
Complete the hill route first, then go down to the boat pier and buy the short Jianghu Liangse (江湖两色) cruise for about CNY 30. See the river and lake meeting at close range and look towards the retired Jiujiang vessel. After landing, visit Shizhong Lou (石钟楼) or Hukou Catholic Church if time allows; the full route takes about 2–3 hours.
Boat finish and return
Ask about the return boat and the latest departure before boarding, then decide whether to add the outside stops. The cruise is not city transport that runs continuously on demand. After returning to the archway, leave by car, return to Hukou Station or take Ximen Ferry (西门轮渡) to Meijiazhou and use the day’s connecting service back to Jiujiang.
Get there
Driving or coming from Hukou Station
Navigate to “Shizhong Mountain National Tourist Scenic Area”. Parking currently costs about CNY 5 per visit; follow the on-site notice for the actual charge. From Hukou Station, take a taxi for about 10 minutes to the entrance, then enter the hill path through the archway.
Ferry from Meijiazhou
If you want to experience the ferry, first travel to Jiujiang’s Meijiazhou Ferry Terminal and take Ximen Ferry (西门轮渡) to Hukou. Connecting bus routes may change, so use a map app on the day to confirm the route to Meijiazhou Ferry Terminal. The ferry, sightseeing cruise and attraction admission are separate costs and separate travel stages; ask about each return timetable.
Know before you go
Water colour and weather
The river–lake boundary changes with the season, water level, rainy or flood periods and the weather that day. It may be less distinct outside suitable conditions. Light is usually better for viewing and photos from 10:00 to 14:00 on a clear day, but the colour boundary is not fixed year-round, and a boat ride cannot replace good visibility.
Steps, boats and river dolphins
Steps leading towards the river can be slippery and steep; wear shoes with good grip and stay on the path. Ask about the return boat before boarding, as the short cruise’s stop time follows the day’s schedule. Whether river dolphins appear depends on the water and animal activity, so there is no guarantee.
The “bell” sound and food nearby
The sound made by striking the rock may not resemble the great bell described in the literary account; in person, you are more likely to hear waves striking the stone. After descending, look for a farm restaurant serving Shizhong fish banquet. Near Shizhong Lou (石钟楼), Zhouji Na Shou Cai and Lao Nanchang rice noodles with clay-pot soup are other options. Food outside the scenic area and the admission ticket should be arranged separately.