Qiyun Mountain, also known as “Baiyue” (白岳,White Mountain), is one of the most picturesque and historically significant peaks in Anhui Province. With its rich Taoist culture, stunning Danxia landforms, and incredible cloud sea phenomena, it stands as a must-visit destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Despite its relatively modest elevation, Qiyun Mountain has long been revered as a natural wonder, and its breathtaking vistas earned it the name “Qiyun Mountain” from Emperor Jiajing during the Ming Dynasty. This guide provides all the essential information for your visit to Qiyun Mountain, including travel tips, ticket information, hiking routes, and must-see attractions.
How to Get to Qiyun Mountain
By Car: If you’re driving, simply enter “Qiyun Mountain Scenic Area” (齐云山景区) into your navigation system. It’s an easy drive to the base of the mountain.
By High-Speed Train: You can take a high-speed train to Yi County East Station (黟县东站). From there, take a taxi for about 20 minutes to reach the entrance of Qiyun Mountain. The taxi ride typically costs around ¥33.
Ticket Information
Current Price: The standard ticket costs ¥58. However, starting from January 15, tickets will be reduced to just ¥9.9. Every Wednesday, visitors can enjoy free entry (with a limited number of free tickets available).
Cable Car and Bamboo Rafting: If you’re planning to take the cable car or go bamboo rafting across the river, it’s more economical to purchase a combined ticket.
Hiking Routes on Qiyun Mountain
Once you reach the ticket checkpoint at Wangxian Tower (望仙楼), your hiking adventure begins. Qiyun Mountain offers three main hiking routes of varying difficulty: the Small Loop, Medium Loop, and Large Loop. Here’s what each route entails:
Small Loop (Approx. 3 hours):
Wangxian Tower (望仙楼) → Dongtian Fudi (洞天福地) → Dongtian Fang (洞天坊) → Shouzi Rock (寿字岩) → Yitianmen (一天门) → Zhenxian Cave (真仙洞府) → Ertianmen (二天门) → Santiangmen (三天门) → Yuehua Tianjie (月华天街) → Taisu Palace (太素宫) → Xiaohu Tian (小壶天) → Changsheng Tower (长生楼) → Baiyue Restaurant (白岳食府) → Yuehua Platform (悦华台) → Fengyuan Platform (逢源台) → Lingxu Dao (凌虚道) → Zhangaofeng (展诰峰) → Zuo Wangtai (坐忘台) → Mengzhen Bridge (梦真桥) → Wangxian Tower (望仙楼)
Medium Loop (Approx. 4 hours):
Wangxian Tower (望仙楼) → Dongtian Fudi (洞天福地) → Dongtian Fang (洞天坊) → Shouzi Rock (寿字岩) → Yitianmen (一天门) → Zhenxian Cave (真仙洞府) → Ertianmen (二天门) → Santiangmen (三天门) → Yuehua Tianjie (月华天街) → Taisu Palace (太素宫) → Xiaohu Tian (小壶天) → Changsheng Tower (长生楼) → Yuxu Palace (玉虚宫) → Fang La Village (方腊寨) → Highest Peak (最高峰) → Baiyue Restaurant (白岳食府) → Yuehua Platform (悦华台) → Fengyuan Platform (逢源台) → Lingxu Dao (凌虚道) → Zhangaofeng (展诰峰) → Zuo Wangtai (坐忘台) → Mengzhen Bridge (梦真桥) → Wangxian Tower (望仙楼)
Large Loop (Approx. 5 hours):
Wangxian Tower (望仙楼) → Dongtian Fudi (洞天福地) → Dongtian Fang (洞天坊) → Shouzi Rock (寿字岩) → Yitianmen (一天门) → Zhenxian Cave (真仙洞府) → Ertianmen (二天门) → Santiangmen (三天门) → Yuehua Tianjie (月华天街) → Taisu Palace (太素宫) → Xiaohu Tian (小壶天) → Changsheng Tower (长生楼) → Yuxu Palace (玉虚宫) → Ziyun Pass (紫云关) → Fang La Cave (方腊洞) → Fang La Village (方腊寨) → Highest Peak (最高峰) → Baiyue Restaurant (白岳食府) → Yuehua Platform (悦华台) → Fengyuan Platform (逢源台) → Lingxu Dao (凌虚道) → Zhangaofeng (展诰峰) → Zuo Wangtai (坐忘台) → Mengzhen Bridge (梦真桥) → Wangxian Tower (望仙楼)
The Large Loop is the most comprehensive route, offering the most scenic views and taking you to all the major attractions on the mountain.
Must-Visit Attractions on Qiyun Mountain
There are many fascinating spots to explore on Qiyun Mountain, each with its own historical and cultural significance. Here are some of the top highlights:
Shouzi Rock (寿字岩): This rock features a famous inscription written by Zhu Xi (朱熹), a prominent Confucian scholar. It’s believed that if you walk below the “Shou” (寿) character, you will live to be 99 years old, but if you touch the character, you could live to over 100 years.
Yitianmen (一天门): A must-see for history and culture buffs, this site features the “Heaven Opens to Reveal Divine Beauty” stone inscription. From here, you can also get a perfect shot of Elephant Nose Rock (象鼻岩).
Taisu Palace (太素宫): A royal Taoist temple constructed by Emperor Jiajing (嘉靖) after his prayers for a son were answered. The palace is considered the most important Taoist temple in southern China. From here, you can also enjoy a stunning view of Incense Burner Peak (香炉峰).
Xiaohu Tian (小壶天): This unique site features a gourd-shaped archway, symbolizing happiness and prosperity in Taoist culture.
Yuxu Palace (玉虚宫): A must-visit for any traveler. Near this site, you’ll find the Tang Yin Stele (唐寅碑). From here, you can ascend to the “Skyline” (一线天, a narrow gap in the rocks) and descend via the Hundred-Step Ladder (百步云梯), both offering incredible scenic views.
Ziyun Pass (紫云关): This is a dramatic cliffside walkway offering some of the best views of the surrounding landscape. It’s perfect for photography lovers.
Fang La Village (方腊寨): Known for its mysterious long corridors, Fang La Village offers fantastic views of the Danxia landforms and is one of the best spots for a nature walk.
Things to Keep in Mind
Water Supply: Once you pass Yuehua Tianjie (月华天街), there are no water stations available, so make sure to carry plenty of water with you before continuing your hike.
Challenging Hike: If you’re taking the Large Loop, be prepared for a long hike that can be quite strenuous. Wear comfortable shoes and bring snacks to keep your energy up.