Fanjing Mountain Travel Guide 2026: Getting to & Travel Tips

Written by Clementine | Updated April 23,2026

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 recommended routes, tickets, transportation, best time to visit for a smooth trip.

Location: The junction of Jiangkou County, Yinjiang County, and Songtao County in Tongren City, Guizhou Province
Opening time: East Route (from Jiankou County): 07:00 – 15:00; West Route (from Yinjiang County): 07:00 – 13:00
Ticket price: Mar. – Nov.: CNY 100; Dec. – Feb.: CNY 90
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 many rare and endangered species. It is the only habitat of the Guizhou golden monkey in the world and the only home to the Fanjingshan fir and the dove tree.
It is a holy mountain of Chinese Buddhism with over 2,000 years of history, housing over 40 time-honored temples and monasteries of different dynasties.
The Red Cloud Golden Summit connected by a narrow Sky Bridge is reputed as a world-class geological wonder and resembles a sky city when shrouded in the mist and clouds.

How to Get to Fanjing Mountain?

Fanjing Mountain is located at Tongren City, so tourists need to arrive at Tongren first and then transfer to the mountain.

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

From Tongren Railway Station: Several buses run to the East Gate of Fanjing Mountain from 06:40 to 10:00. Its cost varies from CNY 35 to 45 based on different bus types. The buses to West Gate operate only in the morning with departures around 07:00, 09:00 and 10:00. The cost is CNY 98. Take the bus at the Tongren Tourist Bus Station on the opposite of the train station.

From Tongren South Station: The bus departs at around 11:00, 14:10, 17:50 and 19:00. The ticket costs CNY 60.

From Tongren Fenghuang Airport: Two buses depart at 10:30 and 17:00, respectively. The ticket price is CNY 65.

From city center: Take bus line 2, 7, 10, 15 or 21 to the Tongren Tourist Bus Station first, then take the tourist direct bus to the mountain.

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 a pleasant climate in all seasons, and extremely hot and cold days are rarely seen 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 are 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.

How to Visit – Recommended Routes

The travel routes for Fanjing Mountain are planned according to its two main entrances: East Gate (from Jiangkou County) and West Gate (from Yinjiang County). The East Gate is equipped with cable car, making it the choice of most travelers. While the West Gate has no cable car, hiking is the main way for exploration. Outdoor enthusiasts prefer it more.

Below are the major routes:

East Gate Enter and East Gate Exit: Efficient and Easy

This route is the most efficient and easiest way to travel around. Because a round-trip cable car is available and tourists can reach and visit the essence part in the shortest time. The 10-minute cable car ride will reward you with a panoramic view of the mountain and the surrounding forest.

Recommended route: Take the shuttle bus to the lower cableway station(about 30 minutes) – take the cable car to Upper Cableway Station (15 – 20 minutes) – hike along the wooden plank road for to Mushroom Rock (30 – 40 minutes) – The Old Golden Summit (30 – 50 minutes) – Pudu Square (15 – 30 minutes) – Red Cloud Golden Summit (40 -60 minutes) – return the same way you came – take the cable car downhill.
Time needed:4 – 6 hours
Best for: Most travelers, families

Tips: Visitors can also hike to the peak from the East Gate. But it has nearly 9000 upward steps and will take about 4-5 hours for a single trip. So it is only recommended for outdoor enthusiasts and mountain climbing enthusiasts.

West Gate Enter and East Gate Exit: 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 along the way and feel the tranquility of Fanjing Mountain. Nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts usually prefer this route.

Recommended route: Take the shuttle bus to Mianxu Ridge (20 – 30 minutes) – Ten Thousand Meters Sleeping Buddha (10 – 15 minutes) – Black Alley (30 – 40 minutes) – Scissor Gorge (20 – 30 minutes) – Buddha Worship Platform (1 – 1.5 hours) – Mushroom Rock (20 – 30 minutes) – Red Cloud Golden Summit (40 – 60 minutes) – take the cable car downhill or return the same way you came
Time needed: Hiking uphill + cable car downhill: 6 – 8 hours; Hiking uphill and downhill: 7 – 9 hours
Best For: Hiking lovers, outdoor enthusiasts

Note: The sections from the East Gate to the lower cableway station and from West Gate to Mianxuling are both steep and winding mountain roads. For the sake of safety, all tourists must take the sightseeing bus to the corresponding starting points.

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 Huangguoshu Waterfall and Miao or Dong Villages? A brief itinerary is listed below.

Day 1: Guiyang Arrival – Jiaxiu Tower

Day 2: Huangguoshu Waterfall

Day 3: Dragon Palace Scenic Area – Qingyan Ancient Town

Day 4: Langde Upper Miao Village – Matang Gejia Village

Day 5: Fanjing Mountain

Day 6: Departure

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.

Top Highlights of Fanjing Mountain

Remarkable Mushroom Rock – The Landmark

You must have seen the pictures of the miraculous Mushroom Rock on the summit of Fanjing Mountain. This famous rock has an approximate height of 10 meters (32.8 feet) and is like a tough mushroom growing from the earth. Though it looks as if it could fall at any moment, it has stood there for billions of years. Standing by the rock, you can overlook the mountain, with the sea of clouds as well.

Guizhou Fanjing Mountain — Mushroom Stone

Red Cloud Golden Summit – The Main Peak

The top of Red Cloud Golden Summit is split into two parts naturally, like two fingers pointing up. On one side stands is a temple dedicated to Buddha Shakyamuni; on the other side, a temple to Buddha Maitreya stands.

It is always shrouded in the imposing sea of clouds, which makes you feel like in a fairyland. The stone steps to the summit are dug into the cliff, with only iron chains by side. So it is somewhat challenging.

Old Golden Summit – The Highest Peak

With an elevation of 2,493 meters, the Old Golden Summit is the highest peak. So it is more magnificent and offers a wider view. After ascending to the peak, you can take in the Red Cloud Golden Summit and the surrounding immense forests.

Cheng’en Temple – An Ancient Buddhist Temple

Cheng’en Temple is one of the largest temples there, as was the imperial temple in ancient times. 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.

Cheng'en Temple Fanjingshan — Chengen Temple

Tips for Visiting Mount Fanjing

The tickets for East Gate and West Gate are not interchangeable, so please confirm your sightseeing route before purchasing the ticket.
It is prohibited to go hiking up the mountain after 13:00 and go hiking down the mountain after 15:00, so enter the West Gate before 10:00.
A Separate reservation is required for the Red Cloud Golden Summit. After arriving at the Mushroom Rock or Pudu Square, you can scan the code to make a reservation. Only 2,000 tickets are available every day. And during peak season, you may need to queue up to 1–2 hours long.
Some steep sections require you to climb with both hands and feet, so a pair of gloves is necessary. Those with knee problems should also bring an alpenstock.
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 taking 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.

What and Where to Eat？

At the foot of Fanjing Mountain, there is a food street selling various kinds of local snacks, mountain delicacies and specialties. It is next to the parking lot on the right of the entrance square.

Local snacks: Yuan Yuan noodles, rice noodles, dried rice noodles, plate noodles, rice tofu, oil baba, dried bean curd, horned fish, dried beef
Specialties: Jiangkou Matcha, Kiwi Fruit Wine, Pine Seed Crisp

Along the way up to the peak and at Pudu Square and Upper Cable Car Station, you will also find stalls offering some simple meals, snacks and drinks. But its price is usually higher.

The nearby Zhaisha Dong Village and Yushe Village are also nice choices, where you can taste the authentic specialties of the Dong and Tu ethnic groups. Dong Ethnic Sour Soup Fish and Firewood Chicken are recommended signature dishes.

Tips: Most local dishes are sour and spicy. Please make sure to tell the servant in advance when ordering if you can not eat spicy food.

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.

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.