Plan at a glance
Enter from the Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area visitor centre
Wanfo Mountain is in Xiaotian Town, Shucheng County, Lu'an. All visitors enter through the “Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Centre”. The visitor centre has a car park; driving from Hefei takes about 2–2.5 hours, with a reference parking charge of CNY 10 per day. Public transport is inconvenient, so self-driving is the more practical option.
After entering, the visitor centre is about 5 km from the trailhead along a mountain road. You need to take the scenic shuttle to reach the hiking area. The main sights are Laofoding (老佛顶) at 1,539 metres, the cliffside walkway and the waterfalls along the mountain trail. Even with the shuttle and cableway, there is still a substantial amount of walking after you get off the cableway.
Tickets, scenic shuttle, cableway and opening hours
Ticket prices change; the recent reference range is CNY 45–75 per person. Shucheng residents may enter free with valid proof of residence. The scenic shuttle is about CNY 35 per person and is required between the visitor centre and the trailhead. The cableway is about CNY 60 uphill and CNY 50 downhill. The entrance ticket, shuttle and cableway are charged separately.
Advance booking is usually not required, and reference opening hours are 07:30–17:30. Some platforms or special periods may offer free admission. Ticket prices, concession documents and same-day purchase arrangements should be confirmed on site.
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
Laofoding, the cliffside walkway and Feilong Waterfall
Laofoding is the main summit area of Wanfo Mountain, at 1,539 metres. The cliffside walkway follows the mountainside, while Feilong Waterfall is along the ascent. In clear weather, Laofoding offers views over the surrounding mountains, and the walkway is well suited to photographs of the terrain and the walk itself.
Wanfo Mountain retains a largely natural forest setting and suits visitors who enjoy hiking, photography and quiet mountain scenery. There are many steps and slopes. The scenic shuttle only covers the visitor-centre-to-trailhead section, and the cableway does not replace the cliffside walkway or the walk to the summit.
A cableway-assisted visit or a full hike
The easier route takes about 3–4 hours: take the scenic shuttle to the trailhead, ride the cableway uphill, walk for about 1.5 hours along the cliffside walkway to Laofoding, then return and take the cableway downhill. It reduces the amount of uphill effort and suits most first-time visitors.
The hiking challenge takes about 5–6 hours: take the scenic shuttle to the trailhead, hike uphill for about 3 hours, reach the summit and return on foot. There are many steep steps, so visitors with knee or leg problems should think carefully before choosing this route.
Who it suits
Wanfo Mountain suits visitors with some mountain-walking experience who enjoy forests and high viewpoints. It also works for families seeking a quieter outdoor activity away from crowds. With older adults or children, the cableway-assisted route is easier to manage than the full hike.
If you want to save effort, the cableway adds to the cost. A full hike requires more time and physical energy.
Build your day
Easier route: shuttle, cableway and Laofoding
Buy a ticket at the visitor centre and take the scenic shuttle to the trailhead → ride the cableway uphill, which takes about 15 minutes one way → walk for about 1.5 hours along the cliffside walkway after getting off → visit the viewpoint at Laofoding → return to the cableway station along the same route → take the cableway downhill → take the scenic shuttle back to the visitor centre. Allow about 3–4 hours for the complete visit.
The shuttle and cableway remove the longest uphill section, but the main walk is still on the cliffside walkway and the summit approach. The cableway usually closes earlier than the scenic area, so afternoon visitors need enough time to return to the cableway station while it is still operating.
Challenge route: hike all the way to the summit
Take the scenic shuttle from the visitor centre to the trailhead → hike uphill on the mountain path, which takes about 3 hours to reach the summit → take in the views at Laofoding → descend on foot along the same route → take the scenic shuttle back to the visitor centre after returning to the trailhead. Allow about 5–6 hours for the complete visit.
This route has many steps and places more strain on the heart, lungs, knees and legs. Mountain supplies are limited, so bring drinking water and high-energy snacks before setting out. If you enter in the afternoon, allow plenty of time for the full hike.
Combine it with nearby attractions
Wanfo Mountain can be combined with West Anhui Rift Valley or Huoshan Grand Canyon Rafting on a self-drive route through southern Lu'an, but the three attractions involve different amounts of walking and physical effort. Wanfo Lake's opening status may change; add it as a mountain-and-water stop only after confirming that it is open.
If you hike at Wanfo Mountain on the same day, base your return time on the actual time you finish descending. Mountain roads in the Dabie Mountains have many bends, so do not estimate the driving and entry time between attractions from map distance alone.
Get there
Drive to the Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area visitor centre
Navigate to “Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Centre”, park there, buy your ticket and take the scenic shuttle to the trailhead. Driving from Hefei takes about 2–2.5 hours. Roads become more winding after entering the Shucheng mountains, so adjust your speed to the road conditions.
The visitor-centre car park has a reference charge of about CNY 10 per day, with spaces and fees subject to the arrangements on the day. The scenic shuttle takes visitors to the trailhead; private cars cannot replace this internal transfer.
Public transport and movement inside the scenic area
Public transport to Wanfo Mountain is inconvenient and is not recommended as the main option for a same-day return. If you arrive from another city by high-speed rail or long-distance transport, you will still need to change to local transport or take a taxi to the visitor centre. Confirm services and the return option before travelling.
Inside the scenic area, movement mainly depends on the shuttle, cableway and walking. The shuttle only connects the visitor centre and trailhead; after getting off the cableway, you still need to walk along the cliffside walkway and mountain paths.
Know before you go
Fitness, steps and the cableway's last service
Wanfo Mountain is not a flat sightseeing park. The hiking paths have many steps, and the full hiking route takes about 5–6 hours. For visitors travelling with older adults, children or anyone with knee or leg problems, the shuttle-and-cableway route is the more manageable choice.
The scenic area is open until a reference time of 17:30, but the cableway usually finishes earlier, around 16:30–17:00. In the afternoon, leave enough time to return to the cableway station. If you miss the last cableway, you may need to switch to an open walking route for the descent, so do not leave the return too late.
Ticket prices, queues and equipment
The reference entrance ticket is CNY 45–75 per person, the shuttle is CNY 35 per person, and the cableway is CNY 60 uphill or CNY 50 downhill. These three charges are separate. During public holidays, queues for the scenic shuttle may exceed 30 minutes; arriving early or avoiding peak periods can reduce waiting.
The mountain steps and cliffside walkway require shoes with good grip, so wear sports shoes suitable for slippery surfaces. Mountain forests have more insects in summer, and paths can be more slippery after rain; bring insect repellent and simple rain protection.
Nearby food and rest
On the way back, you can look for farmhouses or fish restaurants around Wanfo Lake. Local dishes include Wanfo Lake clay-pot fish-head soup; Laodifang Fish Restaurant (老地方鱼馆) and Yuwei Restaurant (鱼味馆) are possible dining stops, subject to their opening on the day. Supplies at the visitor centre and on the mountain may not be available at all times, so bring water and snacks before hiking.