Tiantangzhai Travel Guide: A Magical Journey to the Last Piece of Pristine Forest in East China

Seas of clouds rolling, waterfalls cascading—this green secret realm spanning Hubei and Anhui awaits your exploration.

Tiantangzhai, known as "the last piece of pristine forest in East China," straddles Luotian County in Hubei and Jinzhai County in Anhui. It is a national 5A-level scenic area and a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Here, the mountains are majestic, forests dense, waterfalls abundant, and bizarre rocks rugged. The highest peak, Tiantangzhai (also called Tiantangding), stands at 1,729 meters and is the second highest peak in the Dabie Mountains, earning the reputation as "the first pass in southeastern Wu and Chu."

I have visited this earthly paradise many times, and the most unforgettable moment was sitting alone at the summit of Philosopher’s Peak at 5 a.m., watching the morning light pierce through the clouds. Though it lacks top-tier facilities, its pristine scenery is enough to heal the weariness of city life.

Must-See Attractions: The Four Wonders of Tiantangzhai

The beauty of Tiantangzhai can be summarized as the "Four Wonders": strange peaks and rocks, misty waves and seas of clouds, flying waterfalls and flowing springs, and canyon dragon pools.

Philosopher’s Peak: The main peak at 1,729 meters, with mountain ridges like knife cuts and axe chops. From the summit, you can overlook the sea of clouds at the junction of Hubei and Anhui provinces. It’s recommended to start early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy ancient pines and strange rock formations along the way. From the peak, you can see the Central Plains to the north and Jingchu to the south, with majestic mountains in full view.

Baima Grand Canyon: The canyon features babbling streams and winding plank roads, with an average summer temperature of only 22°C. It’s recommended to try "canyon stream tracing" to observe rare creatures like the Chinese giant salamander up close. The water quality here meets the national first-class surface drinking water standard and is one of the main sources of the Huai River.

Queqiao Bridge: A glass bridge suspended between two mountains, 138 meters long with a vertical drop of nearly 300 meters. Photography enthusiasts can capture panoramic views of the canyon here, with the best light in the afternoon. Not recommended for those afraid of heights.

Waterfall Clusters: Tiantangzhai boasts 108 waterfalls of various sizes, truly "a night of rain in the mountains brings flying waterfalls everywhere." The most famous include Jiuying Waterfall, Xieyu Waterfall, and Yingong Waterfall. During the rainy season (May to August), water volume is abundant, and rainbows often appear after rain. From noon to 3 p.m., on sunny days, rainbows frequently appear above the waterfalls.

Longjian Peak: A natural gallery formed by countless huge granite rocks, combining beauty, seclusion, grandeur, and danger. On the ridge’s back rests a sacred turtle stone, said to guard the peace of Tiantangzhai. The "dragon ridge" here is extremely perilous, with a stone ridge less than half a meter wide and sharp, upward-pointing knife-like rocks underfoot.

Itinerary Planning: Enjoy Tiantangzhai with Ease

One-Day Highlights Tour

Take the cable car from the scenic area entrance to Philosopher’s Peak, walk to Queqiao Bridge, then hike Baima Canyon, and finally return to the exit (about 6 hours total).

Two-Day In-Depth Tour

Day 1: Visit Philosopher’s Peak and Queqiao Bridge, stay overnight at a mountaintop hotel for stargazing. Recommended accommodations: Tiantangzhai Resort, Yunfeng Hotel, etc., with mountain views and ideal for early sunrise watching (average 300-600 RMB/night).

Day 2: Explore Baima Canyon and the waterfall clusters, and enjoy Luotian’s hanging pot feast in the evening. Waterfall cluster visit tips: A short walk from the entrance leads to the 71-meter-high Jiuying Waterfall. Nearby is Lover’s Waterfall, with gentle water flow like a curtain. Follow the clear, jewel-like Xieyu Waterfall upstream.

Practical Information

Tickets:

· Admission: 128 RMB (including shuttle bus), half-price discounts for students and seniors
· Cable car: 70 RMB one way up, 60 RMB one way down
· Sightseeing bus: 28 RMB, valid for 48 hours with unlimited rides

Opening Hours: Open all day, ticket collection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Best Seasons:

· Spring (March-May): Blossoming flowers, perfect for outings
· Summer (June-August): A cool retreat with abundant waterfall flow
· Autumn (September-November): Mountains covered in red leaves, ideal for photography
· Winter (December-February): Watch the spectacular ice waterfalls

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation Options:

· Inside the scenic area: Tiantangzhai Resort, Yunfeng Hotel, etc., with mountain views from the window, perfect for early sunrise watching (average 300-600 RMB/night)
· Outside the scenic area: Guesthouses in Jiuzhihe Town, Luotian, or Tiantangzhai Town, Jinzhai, offering better value

Local Specialties:

· Hanging Pot Feast: Tiantangzhai specialty featuring stewed native chicken and cured meat
· Guanyin Tofu: Tofu made using traditional methods
· Small River Fish: Wild small fish from local streams, incredibly fresh and delicious
· Red Tofu: The most authentic local specialty made from local tofu, black-haired pork, pig’s blood, and various seasonings in a specific ratio

Notes

1. Wear non-slip hiking shoes; some sections are steep and slippery
2. Bring mosquito repellent in summer; beware of snakes and insects after rain
3. Protect the environment; do not pick plants or feed wild animals
4. Tiantangzhai’s weather changes greatly, with intermittent rain and sun; bring a raincoat
5. Hiking is physically demanding; wear comfortable sports shoes
6. Older visitors are advised to bring a walking stick for support
7. During peak seasons (May Day, National Day), book accommodations at least one week in advance

Transportation Guide

Self-Driving:

· From Wuhan: Take Wuying Expressway to Luotian exit
· From Hefei: Take Huru Expressway to Jinzhai exit, then navigate to the scenic area entrance
· Parking fee: about 10 RMB/day

Public Transport:

· Take a bus from Wuhan Fujia Po or Hefei South Station to Luotian or Jinzhai County, then transfer to a direct shuttle to the scenic area (about 1.5 hours)
· Jinzhai Railway Station is the closest train station to Tiantangzhai but still over 100 km from the scenic area. It is a high-speed rail station accessible from Shanghai, Wuhan, Hefei, Nanjing, Changsha, and other cities by bullet train or high-speed train.

Hidden Experiences and Helpful Tips

To avoid crowds, visit on weekdays or choose late autumn when red leaves cover the mountains and mist lingers—every snapshot is a masterpiece.

Red Culture Experience: About 500 meters from the scenic area entrance is the former command post of the Liu-Deng Army’s thousand-mile leap into the Dabie Mountains. Rebuilt after the founding of the PRC, the site’s environment resembles the original, showcasing how the troops lived and fought deep in the Dabie Mountains.

Specialty Shopping: Tiantangzhai’s good water and suitable climate produce fragrant tea. When new tea is available, roadside tea factories and specialty stores sell it at prices cheaper than outside the mountains. You can also buy local specialties like shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, stone ear mushrooms, gastrodia, and American ginseng.

The beauty of Tiantangzhai lies in its originality and purity. Though it lacks top-tier facilities, its pristine scenery is enough to heal the weariness of city life. I hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to Tiantangzhai, where you can find your own paradise in the last pristine forest of East China!