Plan at a glance
Choose an entrance before choosing the distance
Linyang Gorge follows the Xijiang river gorge between Linyang Mountain and Lanke Mountain. The two common entrances are Huangcun and Lingshan Creek. A short out-and-back walk takes about two hours, the family or beginner route about 3–4 hours, and the route including Longmen Peak about 5–6 hours.
Opening hours are 06:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:30. Entry is free and normally does not require an advance reservation; register on site. There is no lighting along the walkway, so return to the exit or your transfer point before dark.
There are almost no supplies along the route
Linyang Gorge is suitable for a light hike, but it is not a city park with shops along the path. Bring at least 1.5–2 litres of water per person and enough food. In summer, add sun protection and mosquito repellent.
Green stone and gravel become slippery after rain. Sections at Liuchuantan and Maotoukeng run beside the river without continuous railings. Keep away from the edge when watching cargo boats, and avoid the gorge during rainy periods if there is a risk of falling rocks.
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Two hours: a short out-and-back walk
Enter from Huangcun or Lingshan Creek, walk as far as Maotoukeng Stream or the Qingfeng Pavilion cliff inscriptions, then return the same way. This suits visitors with limited time who want a river walk and a little history.
Even the short route includes steps, wet surfaces and riverside sections. Do not choose sandals or flip-flops simply because the distance is short; shoes with good grip are still essential.
Three to four hours: beginner and family route
Huangcun entrance → Apochuang Rock → Qingfeng Pavilion cliff inscriptions → Peigong Nineteen Bridges → Lingshan Creek Square. Most of the route uses relatively level stone paving with occasional steps, making it suitable for first-time gorge walkers.
The route is about 9.5 km, and the time depends on photographs, breaks and the pace of the group. With children, do not insist on reaching every exposed viewpoint. Keep enough water and time for the return.
Five to six hours: the more demanding loop
Start at Lingshan Creek, walk to the trailhead, climb Longmen Peak and then return along the ancient walkway. Longmen Peak is about 615 metres above sea level. The first half includes uphill walking and suits people with previous hiking experience.
The walkway section after the descent is flatter, but fatigue still matters. Start in the morning, bring trekking poles and knee supports if useful, and return before 17:30. Do not keep the return until the last light simply to watch sunset.
Build your day
Family and beginner route
Huangcun entrance → Apochuang Rock → Qingfeng Pavilion cliff inscriptions → Peigong Nineteen Bridges → Lingshan Creek Square. Apochuang Rock and Liuchuantan are useful places to watch cargo boats on the Xijiang, while Qingfeng Pavilion and Peigong Nineteen Bridges add the historic side of the route.
Take photographs from open, stable ground rather than the river edge. If a child is tiring, finish at Lingshan Creek Square instead of adding Longmen Peak at the last minute.
Advanced route: climb first, walk the gorge later
Lingshan Creek entrance → trailhead → Longmen Peak → ancient walkway → return to the starting point. Completing the climb first gives you the view over the great bend of the Xijiang, while the later walkway section is easier to pace.
There may be azaleas around Longmen Peak in March and April, but the season is not a reason to delay the return. The mountain has no reliable supplies, so divide water and food before leaving the entrance.
Think about the endpoint before you start
Some routes can continue toward Wenshu Village, where a ferry crosses to the other bank for about CNY 5 per person. This is an optional return experience, not a guaranteed replacement for the original route. Confirm the ferry schedule and the transport after crossing before relying on it.
Huangcun is relatively remote, and taxis can be difficult to find after a hike. Drivers should usually return to the original entrance to collect the car. Visitors without a car should choose the route early and leave time for a taxi or ferry.
Get there
Drive to one of the two entrances
For driving, use Huangcun entrance or Lingshan Creek entrance. Both have free parking, and the listed spaces are usually sufficient. From Zhaoqing East Railway Station, a taxi takes about 20 minutes. City bus route 15 stops at Lingshan or Linyang Gorge Ancient Trail, followed by about 1 km on foot.
The entrance determines the direction of the route and the return plan. Do not type only “Linyang Gorge” into navigation; specify Huangcun or Lingshan Creek before setting out.
Walking and transport are separate parts of the plan
There is no sightseeing vehicle along the walkway. The farther you walk in, the more strength you must reserve for the return. If you want to use the ferry at Wenshu Village, confirm that the boat will connect with transport on the other bank; a ferry ticket is not a full transfer plan.
Starting a long route after 14:00 usually creates a conflict with the 18:00 closing time and darkness. When time is short, use the two-hour out-and-back route rather than rushing to complete the loop.
Know before you go
Water, shoes and weather
Carry 1.5–2 litres of water and food per person, and wear shoes with good grip. For the advanced route, add trekking poles and knee supports. Much of the route has limited shade, so keep a hat, sunscreen and repellent within reach.
Green stone, gravel and bridges become slippery after rain. The rainy season can also bring falling-rock risks. The sections at Liuchuantan and Maotoukeng have no continuous riverside railings and should not be treated casually in bad weather.
Do not leave the return until closing time
Last entry is 17:30, closing is 18:00 and the walkway has no night lighting. Start in the morning or before midday, and leave enough time to return, collect the car and find a taxi.
There are almost no supply points and no continuous railing beside the river. Stand securely before photographing cargo boats, old tow marks or the sunset. If the weather changes, turn back rather than moving closer to the water for a better photograph.