Plan at a glance
Two entrances and two ways to arrive
Jiaoshan is at 83 Dongwu Road in Jingkou District and is mainly an island attraction in the Yangtze. The South Gate is the usual main entrance; after entering, visitors take a ferry to the island. The East Gate can be reached directly on foot or by car and suits visitors who do not want to take a boat or who plan to park and start from the east.
The ferry from the South Gate takes about 5–10 minutes and usually runs about every 15 minutes. The scenic area is open roughly 08:00–17:30, but the return ferry to the South Gate usually ends between 16:30 and 17:00. If you enter from the South Gate, keep time for the return to the pier.
Ticket and walking intensity
Jiaoshan admission includes the round-trip ferry through the South Gate. Peak-season admission is CNY 65 from March–May and September–November; low-season admission is CNY 50 from December–February and June–August. Visitors aged 60–69 and students usually receive half-price admission. Visitors aged 70 or above, active-duty military personnel and children under 1.4 metres can enter free.
There are flat paths as well as stone paths, stairs and uphill sections. A quick route takes about 1.5–2 hours, while the highlights route takes about 3–4 hours. Visitors who want the Stele Forest, historic coastal fort, San Zhao Cave, Biefeng Nunnery and the area around Wanfo Pagoda should plan a half-day; the ferry takes only a small part of the visit.
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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Temple, stele forest and river-defence history
Dinghui Temple is a chance to see a temple layout and historic buildings on a river island. In spring or autumn, look out for the ginkgo trees. Jiaoshan Stele Forest preserves inscriptions from the Six Dynasties through the Ming and Qing periods, with “The Inscription of the Buried Crane” as a central highlight. Visitors interested in Chinese calligraphy, epigraphy and ancient writing should allow more time here than for an ordinary walk.
The historic coastal fort links Jiaoshan's temples and woodland with the area's modern river-defence history. Visitors interested in historic remains can combine the fort and cliff inscriptions. Those who mainly want a relaxed river view can choose the flatter route around Dinghui Temple, the Stele Forest and the pier.
Who it suits and what to do at your own pace
Jiaoshan suits visitors who enjoy old temples, calligraphy, inscriptions, river views and slow walking. The main attractions are spread out, and seeing the cultural sites in full requires some stairs and stone paths. With older visitors or children, treat Wanfo Pagoda, San Zhao Cave and Biefeng Nunnery as optional sections rather than trying to include everything.
Wanfo Pagoda is a high building and can be a route target from the outside. Whether the interior is open or suitable for climbing can change with the day's arrangement, so plan around the exterior and nearby viewpoints first. Jiaoshan sometimes has free-roaming cats, but the day should still centre on the temple, stele forest and river scenery.
Build your day
A 1.5–2 hour flat route
After taking the ferry from the South Gate to the island, start at Dinghui Temple and continue to Jiaoshan Stele Forest, focusing on “The Inscription of the Buried Crane” and other key inscriptions. Follow the river towards the historic coastal fort, then return to the pier and take the ferry back. Most of this route is relatively flat, making it suitable for visitors with limited time or energy, and for those combining Jiaoshan with Beigu Hill on the same day.
If you enter from the East Gate, follow the on-site paths to Dinghui Temple and the Stele Forest first, then decide whether to continue towards the riverside fort. The East Gate route does not use the South Gate ferry, but you must return in the East Gate direction; do not walk to the South Gate and only then start looking for a way back.
A 3–4 hour highlights route
Take the ferry from the South Gate and visit Dinghui Temple, Jiaoshan Stele Forest and the historic coastal fort in sequence, then climb towards San Zhao Cave and Biefeng Nunnery. Depending on the day's access, choose whether to climb Wanfo Pagoda or view it from outside. Descend towards the cliff inscriptions, return to the pier and take the return ferry.
This route adds an uphill section and more time for inscriptions. Enter before noon or early in the afternoon. Whether or not you use the electric shuttle inside the park, work backwards from the return-ferry time and keep enough walking time to reach the pier from the final attraction before the last boat.
Get there
By bus to the South Gate
Bus Routes 4, 104, 130, 204 and D3 can reach the area around the “Jiaoshan Park” stop. Walk from there to the South Gate pier. The South Gate address is 83 Dongwu Road, which can be entered into a map app for the final walking directions.
The South Gate is the ferry entrance, so confirm the return-ferry arrangement before going to the island. When using public transport, leave time between the last ferry and the last city bus, especially in winter or on holidays, to allow for leaving the island, walking and waiting.
By car and the East Gate
The South Gate car park has limited space and can become congested on holidays. The East Gate has more parking; daytime parking costs CNY 5 per stay. If you drive to the East Gate, you can enter directly without first taking the South Gate ferry, but the route, parking location and exit direction should all be planned around the East Gate.
The South and East Gates give you different starting points. A first-time visitor who wants the experience of taking a boat to a river island will find the South Gate more intuitive. Visitors who prioritise easier parking or want a land-side entrance can consider the East Gate.
Know before you go
The return ferry is the day's hard deadline
The scenic area may remain open until 17:30, but South Gate visitors must follow the return-ferry schedule. The return service usually ends between 16:30 and 17:00, and actual departures can be affected by weather, crowds and on-site arrangements. After finishing the final attraction, move towards the pier early and leave time for the island walk, ferry and waiting.
In rain or strong river wind, slow down on the ferry, riverside paths and stone steps. Wear shoes with good grip and bring water and a small snack, as food options on the island are limited. Do not approach dangerous edges for river photographs or climb over barriers around the fort and riverside areas.
Extra activities and visitor tools
Wanfo Pagoda may charge an additional CNY 20, and the in-park electric shuttle is about CNY 20 per person. Whether to buy either depends on your energy, time and route. The interior opening of Wanfo Pagoda may change, so confirm what can be visited before buying. The ordinary admission ticket already includes the round-trip South Gate ferry; keep extra activities separate in the budget.
Electronic audio-guide equipment or display screens in the Stele Forest may sometimes be unavailable. Visitors interested in “The Inscription of the Buried Crane”, Jiaoshan Stele Forest or the historic fort may find it easier to understand the displays after learning a few key terms in advance. On site, follow the open areas and staff directions.
Jiaoshan, Beigu Hill and Jinshan work better as separate stops, with transport and admission calculated for each. Allow a full half-day for Jiaoshan. If you are continuing to another attraction, protect the island exit and return journey first, then decide whether there is time for anything else.