Plan at a glance
Three entrances: South Gate, Middle Gate and North Gate
Mazongling Scenic Area is in Huashi Township, Jinzhai County, Lu'an. It has a South Gate, Middle Gate and North Gate. The South Gate is in the mountaintop area, the Middle Gate is on the hillside and the North Gate is at the foot of the mountain. The mountain road between the three entrances is about 8 km, so your choice of entrance directly affects the walking direction and where you leave the car.
Admission to this natural mountain-forest area is free. Advance booking is usually not required, and the area is generally open all day. The internal shuttle may have operating limits: its reference operating period is about 07:00–18:00, services are infrequent and at some times it may operate only during public holidays.
How much time to allow
The highlight route from the South Gate down towards the North Gate takes about 2–3 hours and mainly uses wooden walkways and downhill paths. The Middle Gate return route to Tongtian Falls takes about 1 hour, with about 20–30 minutes of walking one way to the waterfall.
Mazongling is best reached by car, but travelling from the South Gate to the North Gate creates a vehicle-retrieval problem. Before setting out, arrange for two cars to be parked at the two ends, confirm a reliable transfer in advance or choose the Middle Gate return route instead.
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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Tongtian Falls, Feixian Falls and the forest walkways
Tongtian Falls (通天瀑) is on the section closer to the North Gate. It takes about 20–30 minutes to walk there from the Middle Gate, and the falls have a drop of about 76 metres. They are a main waterfall on the crossing route. Feixian Falls (飞仙瀑) is closer to the Middle Gate and has a more delicate flow. The South Gate area is known for forest and seasonal azaleas, while the wooden walkways offer views of streams beneath the trees.
The area below Tongtian Falls is suitable for photographs showing the full waterfall, the South Gate area is good for photographing azaleas in spring and the wooden walkway is good for documenting the forest walk. Water flow and flowering times vary with weather and season, so photographs cannot be guaranteed.
The crossing route or the Middle Gate short route
The highlight crossing from the South Gate to the North Gate takes about 2–3 hours. Its main features are the continuous downhill wooden walkway, Feixian Falls and Tongtian Falls. The Middle Gate short route takes about 1 hour, with about 20–30 minutes of walking one way to Tongtian Falls.
The crossing suits visitors comfortable with continuous walking who want the full forest-and-waterfall combination. The Middle Gate route suits visitors with limited time or those who only want to see the main waterfall. The South-to-North crossing requires a vehicle-retrieval plan; without a reliable arrangement, the Middle Gate return route is more suitable.
Seasons and who it suits
Mazongling is free to enter and suits visitors who enjoy natural mountain forests, hiking and photography. It can also work for families looking for a low-cost outdoor activity. Azaleas near the South Gate are usually best in mid-to-late April, while red leaves generally appear from late October to November. Other seasons focus on forest and streams.
Some parts of the forest are more natural and less developed, and the route may include areas with limited railings, wet surfaces or unstable phone signal. Older adults, children and visitors with little mountain-walking experience are better suited to the Middle Gate short route or should confirm the effort required by the full route before setting out.
Build your day
Highlight visit: enter at the South Gate and exit at the North Gate
Navigate to “Mazongling Scenic Area – South Gate” and park → enter through the South Gate → follow the wooden walkway downhill towards the North Gate → pass Feixian Falls near the Middle Gate → continue downhill towards Tongtian Falls near the North Gate → exit at the North Gate. The complete crossing takes about 2–3 hours and is almost entirely downhill.
Arrange the vehicle return before starting: use two cars parked separately at the South and North Gates, or confirm a reliable transfer in advance. If you do not have a clear car-retrieval plan, use the Middle Gate return route instead. Without a pre-arranged transfer, it is not advisable to rely on an unfamiliar private car to solve the problem of retrieving a vehicle between the two gates.
Short route: Middle Gate return to Tongtian Falls
Navigate to “Mazongling Scenic Area – Middle Gate” and park → walk towards the North Gate for about 20–30 minutes → view and photograph Tongtian Falls → return to the Middle Gate along the same route. Allow about 1 hour. The route is short and the return is simple, but it misses the forest and azalea scenery around the South Gate.
The Middle Gate car park is relatively small and some distance from the road, so confirm whether spaces are available when arriving during a holiday. The shuttle service is unreliable; for this short route, plan to return on foot.
Combine it with Tiantangzhai and nearby mountain roads
Mazongling can be combined with Tiantangzhai in a multi-day self-drive route through the Dabie Mountains. Depending on the roads and available time, you can also connect it with Huashigu (画石谷) or other nearby nature stops. Each site's entrance, parking and opening arrangements are separate, so navigate to and confirm them individually.
If you have already planned the South-to-North crossing, base any later activities on the actual time you leave the mountain. The Mazongling crossing and Tiantangzhai's shuttle and mountain routes require different levels of effort, so do not compress the return time simply to link several attractions.
Get there
Drive to the entrance that matches your route
Mazongling has South, Middle and North Gates. Navigate to the gate that matches your chosen route. The three entrances are about 8 km apart, and the mountain road adds time to vehicle arrangements. The South and North Gate car parks are relatively large, while the Middle Gate car park is smaller and some distance from the road.
Parking at all three gates is currently listed as free, but spaces and road access can be affected by holiday traffic. If you plan the South-to-North crossing, park the vehicles separately or arrange a reliable transfer before setting out; navigation to the South Gate and the return from the North Gate need to be handled separately.
Public transport and the internal shuttle
Public transport to Mazongling is limited, so driving is the most convenient way to arrive. The internal shuttle's reference operating period is about 07:00–18:00, but services are limited and may operate only during public holidays. Do not count on it for a dependable South-to-North transfer.
If you do not have a car or a reliable transfer arranged in advance, choose the Middle Gate return route. Mountain roads, phone signal and the availability of last-minute rides can all affect how you leave the area, so settle the return plan before setting out.
Know before you go
Open mountain-forest conditions and equipment
The scenic area is free to enter, but some forest sections are more natural and less developed. You may encounter wet wooden walkways, streams, areas with few railings and unstable phone signal. Wear sports shoes with good grip and bring drinking water and simple snacks. After rain or when the weather changes, spend less time near hazardous edges.
Although the South-to-North route is continuously downhill, it still requires sustained walking. When travelling with older adults, children or anyone with knee or leg problems, the Middle Gate short route is easier to manage given the route length and return plan. Do not approach the edge for photographs in areas without railings.
Shuttle service, holiday traffic and vehicle retrieval
The internal shuttle has few services and may operate only during public holidays. After a South-to-North crossing, vehicle retrieval cannot depend on waiting for a shuttle at the last minute. Reliable options include parking two cars at the two ends or confirming a transfer in advance. The price, safety and responsibility involved in sharing an unfamiliar private car at the last minute are unclear, so this is not recommended.
Roads and parking can become crowded during public holidays. If you choose the crossing route, confirm the parking and vehicle-return arrangements at both entrances before setting out.
Nearby sights and food
Tiantangzhai can be a later self-drive destination in the Dabie Mountains area, while Huashigu (画石谷) is another possible nature stop for streams, unusual rocks and waterfalls. Dawan Ririxiang Local Food Restaurant (大湾日日香土菜馆) serves local dishes such as chicken stewed with mushrooms, and Zhuangyuan Local Food Restaurant (庄园土菜吊锅) is an option for Jinzhai diaoguo. Actual opening and dishes depend on the day.
Mazongling itself is free to enter, and food or supplies may not be available near every entrance. Before taking the full crossing, prepare water and snacks at the foot of the mountain, then leave from the North Gate or your original entrance according to your plan.