Plan at a glance
Free hiking trail and paid summit area
Baodu Village Scenic Area is in Luquan District. The East Gate is the main entrance for buses and drivers. The hiking trail is free but requires a reservation through the scenic area’s official WeChat account. Beyond Nantianmen, the summit area has a separate admission fee: about RMB 40 in the low season and RMB 60 in the peak season. The cable car and slide are also charged separately. If you have a passport or cannot use WeChat, call the scenic area before your visit to ask about booking and entry documents.
Opening hours and ticket options
The scenic area changes its hours by season. The website lists peak-season hours, April 1–October 31, as 08:00–17:30; low-season hours, November 1–March 31, are 08:30–17:00. Check the day’s notice for last entry. The cable car costs about RMB 40 one way or RMB 80 round trip and goes to Nantianmen. The slide costs about RMB 50 and only reaches halfway up the mountain. The free trail, summit admission beyond Nantianmen and uphill or downhill transport are separate charges.
How long to spend
The cable-car route takes about 2–3 hours and suits visitors short on time or with limited stamina. Hiking up and back takes around 4–5 hours; climbing the 3,068 steps alone takes about 1.5–2 hours. The steep climb can be strenuous, especially on the knees, so choose a route that suits your fitness.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
The steps and Nantianmen
The hiking trail has 3,068 steps. Allow for the effort of the climb and the time needed to descend. Nantianmen is the landmark archway into the summit area; the softer light in the early morning and evening is good for photographing its outline.
Wanfo Cave, the mountaintop wall and Five Hundred Arhats Temple
Wanfo Cave contains more than 10,000 stone-carved Buddha figures. The mountaintop wall looks out over Shijiazhuang, and Five Hundred Arhats Temple adds another cultural stop. Photography is prohibited inside Wanfo Cave; follow the posted rules and put your camera away where required.
Who will enjoy it
Hikers who like steep steps, local legends and constructed attractions on a summit can take the walking route. Families, groups and visitors with limited stamina can use the cable car. Most of the summit attractions are man-made, rather than a natural mountain landscape.
Build your day
A 2–3-hour cable-car visit
Enter at the East Gate and take the cable car directly to Nantianmen. After entering the paid summit area, visit Wanfo Cave, Five Hundred Arhats Temple and the mountaintop wall, then return to Nantianmen and take the cable car down. This avoids most of the steep steps and helps limit strain on the knees.
A 4–5-hour hike to the summit
From the East Gate, climb the 3,068 steps; the ascent to Nantianmen takes about 1.5–2 hours. Visit Wanfo Cave, Five Hundred Arhats Temple and the mountaintop wall, then choose to walk down or use the cable car or slide. The slide ends halfway down, so you still need to walk the steep lower section.
Queues and arrival time
The cable car and slide may have long queues on holidays. Weekdays or arrival before 09:00 work better for the short route. If you plan to hike, enter early enough to complete the steep ascent and descent before the last-entry cutoff.
Get there
Public transport
From central Shijiazhuang, take Tourist Route 5 or Tourist Route 12 to the Baodu Village East Gate. The fare is about RMB 2, and the journey takes around 1.5 hours. The East Gate is near the bus stop and car park; use “Baodu Village East Gate” as your navigation destination.
Driving and parking
The drive from central Shijiazhuang takes about 40 minutes. Navigate to “Baodu Village Scenic Area East Gate Car Park”; parking costs about RMB 4 per day. The South Gate is another entrance, but the East Gate is more convenient for the bus, cable car and hiking trail. Choose the entrance that matches your route.
Know before you go
Fitness, footwear and weather
The steep climb can be strenuous, especially on the knees. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip on the hiking route and bring enough water. The summit can be cooler than the foot of the mountain in summer, so take a light jacket. Supplies are available on the mountain but tend to cost more; bringing water and snacks can help.
Cable car, slide and Wanfo Cave
The cable car goes to Nantianmen. The slide reaches only halfway down, after which you must continue on steep steps; both rides can have long queues on holidays. Photography is prohibited in Wanfo Cave. Follow the site’s rules in the summit area and do not cross safety barriers for photos.
Hiking reservations and a stop after the visit
The free hiking trail requires a reservation through the official WeChat account. If you have a passport or cannot use WeChat, call 0311-82013208 before setting out to ask about booking and entry documents. Bring the valid document used for the reservation. After descending, you can eat or rest in Luquan District.