Live Your Best Lives
Mount Heng, located 10 kilometers south of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, is the northernmost of the Five Sacred Mountains of China. It is a Chinese geographical landmark and a sacred site for the Quanzhen School of Taoism, a mainstream Taoist tradition. The mountain range originates from the Yin Mountains, flows through the Guancen Mountains, and ends at the Taihang Mountains. It winds its way northeastward, surging and undulating across the Great Wall, stretching 500 miles from east to west, with a magnificent 108 peaks.
Tianfengling, the main peak of Hengshan Mountain, is located in Hunyuan County, with an altitude of 2016.1 meters. It is known as the "Northern Pillar of Heaven and Earth" and "Famous Mountain in the Frontier". It is majestic and majestic, and is known as the lord of all mountains in the north.
Jia Dao, a great poet in the Tang Dynasty, once used the lines "There are Five Mountains in the world, Hengshan is in the north, with rocks and ridges stacked up in ten thousand layers, and ghosts and monsters are countless and unpredictable" to describe the majestic atmosphere of Mount Hengshan. Guo Xi, a famous painter in the Northern Song Dynasty, used the lines "Hengshan is like a march" to outline the landform features of its rushing peaks.
It is suitable for all seasons, with spring and autumn being the best. The tour time can reach 210 days.
Recommended play time: 1 day
Peak season (April 1st to October 31st): 47 yuan/person (mountain entrance ticket 17 yuan, temple group ticket 30 yuan)
Off-season (November 1st to March 31st of the following year): 43 yuan/person (mountain entrance ticket 13 yuan, temple group ticket 30 yuan)
06:30-19:00 (Summer)
08:00-18:00 (winter)
Hengshan, one of the Five Great Mountains of China, holds significant religious and cultural value. It has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years, with numerous temples and monasteries built on its slopes. The Hanging Temple is particularly notable for its unique construction and historical importance, and the area has long been associated with Buddhism and Taoism.
Hengshan is located in the northern part of Shanxi Province, near the city of Datong. It is accessible by bus or taxi from Datong, which is the nearest city with a train station. There are also local buses that can take visitors directly to the mountain. Once at the base, walking or hiking is the primary way to explore the mountain's attractions.
The mountain and its main attractions are open year-round. The best time to visit is in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild. The summer months can be hot, and winters can be cold, but the area tends to be less crowded in the off-seasons.
The entrance fee for Hengshan Mountain generally ranges from 80 to 120 RMB, depending on the areas you want to visit. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or through travel agencies and online platforms like Ctrip. Some of the attractions, such as the Hanging Temple, may have separate ticket prices.
While it is not always necessary to book tickets in advance, it is recommended during peak tourist seasons (spring and autumn) to avoid long lines. Booking a few days in advance, especially for popular sites like the Hanging Temple, is a good idea.
To fully explore Hengshan, including hiking to the summit and visiting the main temples, you will need at least a full day. If you plan to visit the Hanging Temple and take more time for photography, consider spending an additional half day.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin, and English-speaking guides may be available on request for larger groups. Audio guides are also available for some attractions in Mandarin and English, particularly at the Hanging Temple and Hengshan Scenic Area.
Start by visiting the Hanging Temple in the morning to avoid the crowds. Then, head to the Nanshan Temple for a more peaceful experience. In the afternoon, explore the Hengshan Scenic Area and consider hiking to the summit for the best views. If you have time, visit other smaller temples along the way.
There are no specific night visits or light shows at Hengshan. However, the mountain is often beautifully lit at night, and some temples remain open for evening visits. Special tours may be available during certain times of the year or for larger groups.
Hengshan can be crowded during weekends and national holidays. The least crowded times to visit are weekdays, especially in the early spring or late autumn when the weather is mild and fewer tourists visit.
Toilets are available at key points along the mountain. Food stalls and restaurants are located near the base and at major attractions like the Hanging Temple. There are rest areas along the hiking routes, and small shops sell souvenirs and bottled water.
Some areas of Hengshan, particularly the steep paths to the Hanging Temple, may be challenging for elderly or disabled visitors. However, there are accessible paths to some temples, and the main tourist areas are navigable for children and elderly visitors with some assistance.
Cash is accepted, but mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used, especially in the major tourist areas. Credit cards are less commonly accepted in smaller shops and restaurants.
There are several local restaurants near the base of Hengshan, offering Shanxi cuisine. These include noodle shops and small cafes that serve traditional Chinese dishes. Food options near the Hanging Temple are more limited.
Vegetarian options are available, especially in larger restaurants. However, halal food options may be limited in this area, as it is not a major destination for Muslim tourists.
There are a few mid-range hotels in the nearby Datong area, including guesthouses and resorts close to Hengshan. Most visitors stay in Datong and travel to Hengshan for day trips.
Souvenir shops near Hengshan offer local handicrafts such as calligraphy, paintings, and traditional Shanxi items like lacquerware and tea. Small shops near the Hanging Temple sell various religious trinkets.
