Hengshan Scenic Area

Hengshan is the Northern Peak of the Five Great Mountains of China, renowned for its steep terrain and rich cultural heritage.

Project Details
Location: Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Main Peak: Tianfengling, elevation 2016.1 meters
Core Experiences: Climb one of the Five Great Mountains, visit the Hengshan temple complex, explore the Hanging Temple
Approximate Cost: Entrance ticket 45 RMB + one-way cable car 70 RMB (optional) + shuttle bus 13 RMB (optional)

📅 How to Plan a One-Day Tour

· Morning: Departure and Arrival
Depart from Datong city center to Hengshan Scenic Area, about 1.5 to 2 hours by car. You can choose to drive, charter a car, or take public transportation to Hunyuan County and then transfer to local transport to the scenic area.
· Noon: Visit the Hanging Temple
Before touring the main Hengshan area, you can visit the nearby Hanging Temple (entrance ticket 15 RMB, climbing fee 100 RMB extra). It is built on a cliff and is very spectacular. It is recommended to avoid the peak group tour time at noon or arrive early to avoid crowd control.
· Afternoon: Climb Hengshan
There are three main ways to ascend the mountain, choose according to your physical condition:
1. Easiest route: Take the cable car up (one-way 70 RMB), then walk on mostly flat paths to visit the core temple complex, and take the shuttle bus down (one-way 13 RMB).
2. Halfway challenge: Take the shuttle bus to the mid-mountain parking lot and start climbing from there, about 2.7 km to the main peak, approximately two hours of ascent.
3. Full hike: Start from the foot of the mountain, about 8.8 km in total, which is physically demanding.

🗺 Mountain Tour Routes and Highlights

· Main Route: Regardless of the ascent method, the core sightseeing area converges near Jiutian Palace. Then you can follow the route Jiutian Palace → Wenchang Pavilion → Guandi Temple → Huixian Mansion.
· Must-See Attractions:
· Summit Tianfengling: Check in at the 2016.1-meter elevation marker and enjoy panoramic mountain views.
· Hengshan Temple Complex: Visit Zhenyuan Hall (main hall of the Northern Peak Emperor), Huixian Mansion, and experience Taoist culture and architectural art.
· Northern Peak Sleeping Palace: The oldest Taoist temple on Hengshan, great for photos.

💡 Travel Tips

· Tickets and Hours: Hengshan Scenic Area peak season (April to October) ticket price is 45 RMB, generally open from 8:00 to 16:30.
· Physical Fitness: The scenic area is large and hiking requires good stamina; please choose your ascent and descent methods wisely.
· Food Experience: In Hunyuan County or back in Datong city, you can try local specialties like Hunyuan cold noodles and Hengshan tofu.