Fanjing Mountain in Tongren Guizhou Temples, Getting There

Written by Clementine | Updated January 02,2026

Mount Fanjing, aka Fanjingshan, is the highest peak in the Wuling Mountain Range of Guizhou Province. It is one of the five sacred Buddhist mountains in China which impresses visitors with the many ancient temples and relics on its summit and a time-honored mushroom-shaped rock. In 1986, the mountain was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site for its rich biodiversity of plants and animals.

Whether you like hiking or sightseeing, or seek a serene cultural immersion, Fanjing Mountain is your ideal choice. If you’re planning to travel to Mount Fanjing, the following guide will provide you with the best information and tips for enjoying the trip to Fanjing Mountain.

Location: The junction of Jiangkou County, Yinjiang County, and Songtao County in Tongren City, Guizhou Province
Opening time: 8:00–17:00
Ticket price: 110 yuan per person (including cable car fee)
Time Needed: 4–6 hours
Best time to visit: April to October
Suited to: nature lovers, mountaineers, Buddhists
Altitude: 2,572 meters
What to see: Mushroom Rock, Red Cloud Golden Summit, wildlife, Buddhist temples

Content Preview

Why Visit Mount Fanjing?

The UNESCO-listed Mount Fanjing is a biosphere reserve, hosting a rich biodiversity of plants and animals. It is where you may encounter many rare and endangered species, including the rare Guizhou golden monkey, Fanjingshan fir, and the dove tree.
It stands as the highest peak within Wuling Mountain Range, offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
It is a holy mountain of Chinese Buddhism, housing over 40 time-honored temples and monasteries of different dynasties.

Fanjing Mountain Attractions: What to See & Do

The Landmark – Remarkable Mushroom Rock

You must have seen the pictures of the miraculous Mushroom Rock on the summit of Fanjing Mountain, even if you have never been there. The mushroom-shaped rock has an approximate height of 10 meters (32.8 feet), and it’s quite famous for its fantastic appearance. It is like a tough mushroom growing from the earth, also like a magical stone down from Heaven. Can you believe that the Mushroom Rock has stood there for billion years? That’s true. Standing by the rock, you can overlook the mountain, with the sea of clouds as well.

Guizhou Fanjing Mountain — Mushroom Stone

The Main Peak – Red Cloud Golden Summit

Red Cloud Golden Summit is the main peak of Fanjingshan, named for the red morning glows embracing the top. Red Cloud Golden Summit is extremely precipitous and it is very exciting to climb up through the stone steps dug into the cliff, with only iron chains by side. The top of Red Cloud Golden Summit is split into two parts naturally, like two fingers pointing up. On the top of one side, there is a temple dedicated to Buddha Shakyamuni; on the top of the other side, a temple to Buddha Maitreya stands.

Red Cloud Golden Summit is considered as the treasure basin of Fanjing Mountain, for the amazing landscapes as well as cultural sites there. It is a splendid location to see the imposing sea of clouds, which makes you feel like in a fairyland. The Light of Buddha is another expressive view of the Red Cloud Golden Summit. In the clouds to the sun, a colorful aureole would appear, with an indistinct figure inside. This marvelous natural phenomenon usually is found in the morning after rain.

A Fairyland with Diverse Wild Fauna and Flora

One of the most beautiful mountains in China, Mt. Fanjingshan is home to varieties of wild lives. The extensive land is covered with thick forest, which is home to more than 2,000 species of plants and over 800 kinds of animals, such as the endangered Guizhou golden monkeys and the protected Chinese dove trees. Thus the mountain is also called the Wildlife Gene Bank. Guizhou golden monkeys, known as the elves of Fanjing Mountain, are unique creatures locally. You will see many towering trees, and you can just get your arms around the thick trunk.

Meet the Time-hornored Fanjing Mountain Temples

Fanjingshan is listed as one of the five most famous Buddhist mountains in China. Even though Buddhism had been spread around the mountain area long before, it began to thrive there until the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644). The mountain is of Maitreya for Buddhists, and there is a giant golden sitting statue of Maitreya Buddha at Longquan Temple at the foothills. It is an open-air statue made of pure copper, as well as the largest one in Guizhou.

You will meet a number of temples here and there, as it is said there are hundreds of small and large-scale temples around the mountain. Huguo Temple and Cheng’en Temple are the largest ones there, as were the imperial temples in ancient times. In addition, inscriptions on the cliffs and steles about the establishment and reconstruction of these temples can be found. If you like Chinese arts, especially calligraphy, the inscriptions cannot be missed.

For the thriving Buddhism, many tourists go there for blessing. You can follow them to pray for good fortune in business, love, study, wealth, health, giving birth to a child, and so on.

Cheng'en Temple Fanjingshan — Chengen Temple

Mount Fanjing Weather & Best Time to Visit

The mountain has a subtropical humid monsoon climate, with the monthly average temperatures ranging from 4.6 °C in January to 33 °C in July and August. Generally, Fanjing Mountain enjoys pleasant climate in all seasons, and the extremely hot and cold days are rarely to see here. May to October is the rainy season when this place sees most rains in a year.

Best Time to Visit Fanjing Mountain for Comfortable Weather

The best time to visit the mountain will fall in summer and autumn, probably from June to November. In summer from June to August, it becomes a popular summer resort. With the rushing waterfalls and dense shades of the forest, it’s a perfect place to avoid the intense heat. You can also go drifting along the Taiping River there. In autumn with the cool weather, it is a magnificent world with red fall foliage all over the mountainside. Even so, the colorful spring flowers and snow landscapes are also worth a visit.

When to Visit Fanjing Mountain to Avoid Crowds

The best time to avoid crowds is on weekdays from Oct. 8 to early November, when the tourists is fewer and the scenery remains charming. Another period is from April to June. During this time, you will see the blooming flowers and the clouds and mountains are shrouded by fog and mist. Winter has the fewest tourists and offers the dreamy snow scenery, but some roads may be blocked due to ice.

Tickets and How to Book

Items	Cost	Remark
Entrance Ticket	Mar. – Nov.: CNY 100 Dec. – Feb: CNY 90	Include all the core attractions on the mountain
Sightseeing Car	CNY 48 for a round trip	It is a must, transfer you from entrance to the lower station of cable car
Cable Car	CNY 70 for a single trip CNY 140 for a round trip	Highly recommended, can save much time and strength
Insurance	CNY 10	optional

How to book the ticket

A strict real-name time-slot reservation is implemented in Fanjing Mountain. The official Wechat accounts, Fanjing Mountain Tourists Area and Fanjing Mountain Scenic Area are the most reliable platforms for ticket booking. Third-platforms, such as Ctrip, Meituan, also offer the service. You can also buy the ticket on site directly, but it is better to purchase one day earlier in case the tickets are sold out.

How to Visit – Recommended Routes

The travel routes for Fanjing Mountain are divided into two routes according to its two main entrances: East Gate (from Jiangkou County) and West Gate (from Yinjiang County). The travel experience is quite different from the two entrances. Continue reading to find out the one you like.

Travel Route from East Gate – Efficient and Easy

This route is the most efficient and easiest way to travel around. Because the cable car is available, tourists can reach and visit the essence part in the shortest time. After entering the park, the shuttle bus will take you to the lower cableway station directly. Then you can take the cable car uphill. During the 10-minute ride, you can overlook the forests under your feet. After arrival, hike along the wooden plank road for about one hour, you will arrive at the core scenic spots. The following recommended route is Mushroom Rock – The Old Golden Summit – Pudu Square – Red Cloud Golden Summit. Finally, return the same way you came. This journey takes about 4 – 6 hours and is suitable for most travelers.

Travel Route from West Gate – More Hiking but More Natural Wonders

Without a cable car, this route requires a lot of walking and takes a longer time, but you can explore the primitive landscapes and feel the tranquility of Fanjing Mountain. Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts usually prefer this route. First, you need to take the shuttle to the starting point of hiking, Mianxu Ridge. Then spend 2.5 – 3 hours hiking along the relatively gentle ridge path to reach the entrance of the core scenic area – Buddha Worship Platform. Though the distance is long, the natural wonders along the way will feast your eyes, including the Ten-thousand-meter Sleeping Buddha that can not be seen on the east route. The following scenic routes is the same as above. About the way downhill, you can choose to return the same way or take the cable car according to your own condition. This route takes about 7 – 9 hours.

Take the Mount Fanjing Cable Car

Visitors can either take a cable car or hike up or down the mountain. The hike has nearly 9000 steps and will take about 4-5 hours. To save time and energy, you can choose to take a cable car to get up and down the mountain. The ride will take only about 20 minutes from the lower station to the upper station near the Mushroom Rock, and will reward you with a panoramic views of the mountain and the surrounding forest.

Note:

The cable car price is CNY 140 for a round trip and CNY 70 for a one-way trip.
The cable car operates from 8:15-17:45 daily.

How to Get to Fanjing Mountain?

There are tourist buses to the mountain from Tongren South Railway Station and Tongren Fenghuang Airport. It will take you 1.5-2 hours for a single trip, and the price might be 50-60 RMB.

From Tongren South Station, the bus departs at around 9:30 in the morning and 15:00 in the afternoon.

From Tongren Fenghuang Airport, two buses depart as well.

How to Get to Tongren?

Tongren City in Guizhou is well connected with most cities in Guizhou and major cities across the country. Tongren Fenghuang Airport operates direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guiyang, Guilin, Xi’an, Shenzhen, Nanjing, etc. Also, it has high-speed trains to/from Guiyang, Kaili, Chengdu, Chongqing, etc.

Tips for Visiting Mount Fanjing

The hiking trail will be closed after 14:00, you are recommended to take the cable car to go up and down after 14:00.
There are sudden thundershowers occasionally in summer, so, please remember to pack an umbrella or other rain gear.
Due to the lower temperature on the top of the mountain, you’d better take a thick coat or warmer clothes, especially when you want to spend a night on the mountain for the sunrise.

Fanjingshan Accommodation: Where to Stay?

When take a trip to Fanjing Mountain, it is recommended to stay one night near the mountain area or in Tongren city area. Because the mountain is a biosphere reserve, there is no accommodation available in the scenic area. Below are some options for accommodation near Fanjing Mountain for your reference:

Near the entrance of the mountain: For convenient reach to the mountain, you can stay overnight in a hotel or a guesthouse at the foot of Fanjing Mountain. Many visitors choose to stay in Zhaisha Dongzhai village which is only 3 km from the entrance and offers a cultural experience.
In Jiangkou County:This area offers more hotel options and has better facilities and services, about 22 km from the scenic area.
In Tongren City: In the city area, you can find hotels of all levels, ranging from boutique hotels to luxury 5-star hotels with all possible amenities. The city center is about 60 km from Fanjing Mountain.

How to Plan a Fanjing Mountain Trip?

Usually, one day is enough to tour the mountain itself. If you want to enjoy a more leisurely tour, after descending the mountain, live in the Zhaisha Dong Village or Yushe Village at mountain foot. On the second day, stroll around the village to feel the ethnic charm of Dong and Tujia Nationalities and explore the surrounding natural wonders, such as the Shenlong Lake and Yamu Valley. For tourists with a longer vacation of 5 – 7 days, how about extending your trip to other famous attractions in Guizhou, such as the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, Huangguoshu Waterfall and Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village.

Attractions nearby Fanjing Mountain

There are several attractions located near Fanjing Mountain that are worth a visit, including:

Wanfenglin Scenic Area: A forest park located in Tongren City, it is famous for its waterfalls, bamboo forests, and ancient temples.
Huangguoshu Waterfall: the largest waterfall in Asia and offers a stunning view of the surrounding area.
Maling River Gorge: a beautiful canyon that is known for its crystal-clear waters, steep cliffs, and dense forests. You can go on a boat ride to explore the gorge or hike along the trails to enjoy the stunning scenery.

FAQs about Fanjing Mountain

What is Mount Fanjing famous for?

Mount Fanjing is famous as a world natural heritage, a national natural reserve, one of China’s five famous Buddhist mountains and a biodiversity treasury.

What does the name “Fanjing” mean?

It means a pure and untainted world in Buddhism.

What makes Mount Fanjing a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Because of its rich biodiversity of plants and animals.

Are there accommodation options on the mountain itself?

No. But at the mountain foot are numerous special homestays.

Which entrance should I use: the East Gate or the West Gate?

The East Gate is equipped with a cable car and suitable for most travelers. And the West Gate is featured by hiking and suitable for outdoor enthusiasts.

Is the climb to the Red Clouds Golden Summit difficult?

It is somewhat challenging. With a large vertical height difference, tourists need to use iron chains to climb.

Enjoy the Cultural & Natural Essence of Fanjing Mountain with China Xian Tour

If you want to enjoy an in-depth tour instead of merely watching the scenery, China Xian Tour is glad to customize a trip based on your interests and assign a local guide for you. During the tour, the guide will tell you the Buddhist stories, geological evolution and folk customs of the scenic area, so you will have an immersive and impressive tour. And you will obtain the safety tips and assistance in time. In addition, we will book the ticket for you in advance to ensure a smooth tour. Just contact us right now.

Recommended China Tours including Fanjing Mountain

Fanjing Mountain: Ultimate Travel Guide to Discover Its Miracles and Mysteries

Content Preview