Plan at a glance
Entrance, tickets, and hours
Qi Mountain Scenic Area is in Taihe Town, Zichuan District. Set your navigation destination to “Qi Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Centre.” It is a relatively long drive from the city, so driving is more convenient; parking is approximately CNY 10 per day.
Ticket prices and online promotions change considerably. Use about CNY 80 only as a reference for the basic ticket; promotional figures such as CNY 1.8 or CNY 20–40 should not be treated as regular prices. The sightseeing bus is approximately CNY 20 return or CNY 15 one way. The cable car is about CNY 50 one way or CNY 80 return. The Mirror of the Sky and other activities may cost extra.
Hours are roughly 07:30–17:00 from Monday to Friday and 08:00–17:00 on weekends, with last admission at 16:00. Allow about 2–3 hours for a quick route or 4–5 hours for a fuller visit; the total trail length is approximately 7.5 km.
Decide whether to walk downhill
The sightseeing bus can reduce the uphill section from the entrance to the higher areas, but the walk from the entrance to the ticket checkpoint may still take more than 30 minutes. Downhill routes include steep stairs and stone paths that can be slippery after rain, so your fitness and knee condition directly affect which route is practical.
Qi Mountain and Tanxishan can be treated as alternatives for a similar mountain experience; Lushan National Forest Park is better planned for another day. Each has separate tickets, parking, and transport, so they cannot be treated as one continuous mountain walk.
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
Waterfalls, an old cliffside path, and Qimen Cave
Qi Mountain’s natural and historical points include Guanyin Waterfall, Tang Sanzhai, the old cliffside path, and Qimen Cave. Guanyin Waterfall may have more water in summer. The old path follows the cliff, while Qimen Cave passes through the mountain. Together they suit visitors who want water, mountain terrain, and geological spaces.
Qimin Tribe, Cherry Blossom Valley, and Deer Park offer easier stops for families or visitors who do not want to hike the entire route. Feeding and animal interaction at Deer Park follow on-site rules, and mountain routes still include stairs and slopes.
Summit views and paid activities
The cable car can bring summit scenery into a shorter route. The Mirror of the Sky and Cloud-top Flower Sea suit reflection and mountain photography, but confirm their opening and charges separately. Photography-focused visitors can also prioritise Qimen Cave, the S-bend on the old path, and the summit area.
Photography and hiking routes have different stopping points. If you put Qimen Cave on the downhill section, confirm the day’s cable-car direction and the relationship between the cable-car station and the exit. Avoid an out-and-back detour beyond your group’s stamina just for one photo stop.
Build your day
A 2–3 hour lower-effort route
Enter through the main gate, take the sightseeing bus to Qimin Tribe or Cherry Blossom Valley, and then take the cable car uphill. Visit Cloud-top Flower Sea and the Mirror of the Sky, then take the cable car back down. Buy the sightseeing-bus and cable-car tickets separately. This shorter route suits visitors with limited stamina or families seeking a more relaxed visit.
After time at the summit, return by cable car. Do not combine a full hike with the Mirror of the Sky in the same short route. If the cable car or Mirror of the Sky is closed that day, use Qimin Tribe, Cherry Blossom Valley, or Guanyin Waterfall as alternative stops.
A 4–5 hour core route
Take the sightseeing bus from the main gate to Qimin Tribe. Walk along the route to visit Guanyin Waterfall, the Qi Great Wall, and Dianjiang Platform, then take the cable car downhill, pass through Qimen Cave, and return. The first half focuses on water and historical points; the cable car reduces the pressure of the downhill section.
Roads into the mountain can be congested during public holidays, and queues for paths and sightseeing buses can reduce actual visiting time. After rain, slow down on stone surfaces, boardwalks, and steep downhill slopes. If anyone in the group has knee or ankle problems, shorten the walking section.
Get there
Driving and entrance
By car, navigate to “Qi Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Centre”; parking is approximately CNY 10 per day. Public-transport options are limited, and a city departure involves a long road transfer, so arrange the return vehicle in advance.
The walk from the main gate to the ticket checkpoint may take more than 30 minutes, and entrance signs may not always be obvious. The sightseeing bus covers designated sections only, so you still need to walk at each stop. The cable car is a separate transport option for the mountain and downhill sections.
Know before you go
Prices, promotions, and supplies
Use about CNY 80 as a reference for the basic ticket; online promotional prices change often. Confirm the sightseeing bus, cable car, and Mirror of the Sky separately. When buying, check whether the price is for admission, a shuttle, the cable car, or a single activity; do not infer the regular price from a promotion.
Food choices inside the scenic area are limited and may cost more than food at the foot of the mountain. Bring water and simple snacks. Heishan Whole Lamb and Miaozi Lamb Soup can be options for a meal on the return route, depending on your exit position and that day’s opening hours.
Stairs, weather, and stamina
The paths mainly consist of stone and wooden steps. They can be slippery in rain, and some boardwalk sections may be damaged. Wear shoes with good grip and watch your footing. Steep downhill sections put more pressure on knees and ankles and are not suitable for long hikes by visitors with limited mobility.
Traffic and parking can be difficult on public holidays, so arrive early. With young children or older adults, prioritise the sightseeing bus, cable car, and a shorter summit route, and leave enough time for the drive back before closing.