Plan at a glance
Entrance, ticket types and hours
The attraction covered here is Taishi Mountain, with the usual entrance on the Songyang Academy side of the Songyang Scenic Area. A mountain ticket is listed at CNY 50 and covers Taishi Mountain only. A CNY 80 combination ticket includes Songyang Academy, Fawang Temple and other attractions, while a CNY 100 annual pass suits visitors planning multiple visits to several attractions. Opening hours are around 07:00–18:00. The sightseeing bus is listed at about CNY 25 return or CNY 15 one way.
How much time to allow
Allow two to three hours to turn back near Laomu Cave, or four to five hours to climb to Junji Peak and return by the same route. The full route from Songyang Academy up and down toward Luyash Waterfall takes about six to nine hours; the later section is more complicated and is not suitable for visitors without hiking experience.
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
Junji Peak and Taishi Mountain's historic sites
Junji Peak is 1,491.7 metres above sea level and the highest point on Taishi Mountain. The route also passes Laomu Cave, Junji Palace, Zhongyue Xinggong and cliff inscriptions. Visitors who enjoy hiking, want views across Dengfeng or hope to complete the main peak route of the Central Mountain can make Junji Peak their target.
Short and long routes
The short route turns back near Laomu Cave and focuses on the mountain path and historic sites along the way. The four- to five-hour route is the practical choice if you want to include Junji Peak. Taishi Mountain has no cable car, so both the ascent and descent are on foot; choose the route around your actual fitness.
Keep it separate from Shaolin Temple
Taishi Mountain is entered from the Songyang Academy side, while Shaolin Temple is on the Shaoshi Mountain side. They are about 10 km apart and have separate tickets. The Taishi Mountain route focuses on Junji Peak, Laomu Cave and the related cliff inscriptions; Pagoda Forest, the martial-arts performance and Book Cliff belong to the Shaolin Temple route instead.
Build your day
4–5 hours: Songyang Academy entrance to Junji Peak
Enter through the Songyang Academy side, take the sightseeing bus to Taishi Mountain Square, then hike to Junji Peak and return by the same route. The bus can save roughly 2 km of level walking, but after you get off you still have to complete the main climb and descent on foot.
2–3 hours: turn back near Laomu Cave
Enter from the Songyang Academy side, take the bus to Taishi Mountain Square, hike to the area near Laomu Cave and return along the same route. This keeps the mountain path, historic sites and some climbing experience while fitting a half-day schedule.
6–9 hours: descend toward Luyash Waterfall
Climb from Songyang Academy and descend toward Luyash Waterfall. The route is longer, entirely on foot and more complicated in its later section. Arrange the descent point and return transport in advance; beginners are better served by an out-and-back route.
Get there
Songyang Academy entrance
Set your navigation destination to the Songyang Academy entrance or Songyang Scenic Area. The Shaolin Temple gate arch is not the entrance for this route. If driving, use the Songyang Academy East Parking Lot, where parking is free; the walk to the entrance takes about three minutes.
The final leg after reaching Dengfeng
After travelling from Zhengzhou to Dengfeng, make the Songyang Academy entrance your final destination and arrange the last transfer around the vehicles and map conditions that day. Before entering the mountain, confirm where to buy the parking, sightseeing-bus and hiking tickets; a drop-off point in town is not the mountain entrance.
Know before you go
Tickets and the mountain boundary
The CNY 50 ticket is for Taishi Mountain, the CNY 80 ticket combines attractions such as Songyang Academy, and the CNY 100 annual pass is for multiple attractions or visits. Shaolin Temple and Taishi Mountain sell separate tickets. When buying, confirm whether your target is Shaoshi Mountain or Taishi Mountain.
Fitness, knees and supplies
There is no cable car on Taishi Mountain, and the descent puts more strain on the knees. Hiking poles or knee supports are useful. Supply points on the mountain can provide water, but prices may be higher than at the foot of the mountain; bring water and high-energy snacks.
Weather and return
In rain, fog or slippery conditions, shorten the route and keep the out-and-back option available. If a summit route finishes late, confirm the parking or transfer arrangements after you return to the Songyang Academy entrance.