Fanjing Mountain

Fanjing Mountain Travel Guide (Sky City · Buddhist Holy Land) 1. Best Travel Time - Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November): Pleasant climate (10-25℃), spring azalea sea (April-July), autumn colorful forests, best time for photography - Summer (July-August): Summer resort, average temperature 22℃, but rainy season with fog and slippery roads, safety precautions needed - Winter (December-February): Possible mountain closure due to ice and snow, check opening status in advance, lucky visitors can enjoy stunning snow scenery 2. Transportation Guide External Transportation - Airplane: Fly to Tongren Fenghuang Airport (80 km from Fanjing Mountain), then take a tourist bus/taxi (about 2 hours, 120 RMB) - High-speed Rail: Guiyang North Station/Kunming South Station → Tongren South Station (about 1.5-3 hours), then transfer to bus to Jiangkou County (about 1 hour, 30 RMB) - Self-driving: Navigate to "Fanjing Mountain Scenic Area East Gate," large parking lot at the foot of the mountain (20 RMB/day) Scenic Area Transportation - Sightseeing Bus: East Gate → Cable Car Lower Station, round trip 20 RMB/person, one way 10 RMB/person, about 17 minutes - Cable Car: Round trip 140 RMB/person, one way 70 RMB/person, about 15 minutes, offers panoramic views of sea of clouds and mountains - Hiking Routes: - East Line (Jiangkou): Cable Car Lower Station → Mushroom Rock, about 2 hours, steep steps - West Line (Yinjiang): Mianxu Ridge → Old Golden Summit, about 2.5 hours, suitable for experienced hikers 3. Tickets and Reservations - Ticket Price: Peak season (March-November) 100 RMB/person, off-season (December-February) 90 RMB/person - Discounts: Half price for minors aged 14-18 and students; free admission for children under 14, seniors over 60, disabled persons, and active military personnel - Reservation Method: Real-name timed reservation system, tickets available daily from 6:00 to 22:00 for the current day and next three days, entry with ID according to reserved time slot - Entry Time: East Gate 7:00-15:00 (main entrance), West Gate 7:00-13:00 4. Must-Visit Attractions 1. Red Cloud Golden Summit (2336 meters): Iconic landmark of Fanjing Mountain, the peak rises sharply with a central fissure called "Golden Knife Gorge" dividing it into two, connected by a sky bridge with a temple on each side (Shakyamuni Hall and Maitreya Hall) 2. Mushroom Rock: About 10 meters high, wider on top and narrower at the bottom, shaped like a mushroom, standing firm after a billion years of weathering, the "image ambassador" of Fanjing Mountain 3. Old Golden Summit (2494 meters): Second highest peak of Fanjing Mountain, steep stone steps requiring hands and feet, summit offers panoramic view of the 10,000-meter Sleeping Buddha 4. Cheng'en Temple: One of the four imperial temples of Fanjing Mountain, built in the Ming Dynasty, houses Shakyamuni Buddha, a great place for worship and blessings 5. 10,000-meter Sleeping Buddha: Formed by multiple peaks, about 10,000 meters long, resembling a reclining Buddha, a natural wonder 5. Classic Tour Routes One-day Express Version (East Line, suitable for general tourists) - 7:00 Arrive at East Gate, take sightseeing bus → Cable Car Lower Station - 8:00 Take cable car up, hike to Mushroom Rock (about 30 minutes) - 9:00 Climb Old Golden Summit (about 1 hour), overlook peaks and sea of clouds - 10:30 Head to Red Cloud Golden Summit (about 1 hour), experience the sky bridge marvel - 12:00 Rest at Pudu Square, visit Cheng'en Temple - 13:00 Descend via forest plank road, take cable car back - Total duration: 6-8 hours In-depth Hiking Version (West Line, suitable for outdoor enthusiasts) - Day 1: West Gate Mianxu Ridge → 10,000-meter Sleeping Buddha → Old Golden Summit → Stay at Zhaisha Dong Village - Day 2: Red Cloud Golden Summit sunrise → Mushroom Rock → Cheng'en Temple → Descend East Line 6. Accommodation Recommendations No lodging or camping allowed inside Fanjing Mountain Scenic Area; nearby accommodation options: 1. Zhaisha Dong Village: 5 km from East Gate, concentrated Dong-style homestays, recommended "Muxi Mountain Residence" and "Yunfu Li Hidden Stay," prices 150-300 RMB/night 2. Yunshe Village: "China's No.1 Tujia Village," 10 km from the scenic area, recommended "Yingxiao Mountain Residence Designer Homestay," experience Tujia culture 3. Jiangkou County Town: Many hotel options, affordable prices (100-200 RMB/night), recommended "Jinjiang Metropolo Hotel" 7. Food Recommendations 1. Jiangkou Beef Ganba: Made from free-range yellow cattle from Fanjing Mountain, marinated and roasted by traditional methods, firm texture and rich aroma 2. Jiao Jiao Fish: Unique cold-water fish from Fanjing Mountain, tender meat, can be cooked in sour soup or clear soup styles 3. Fern Cake with Cured Meat: Fern root starch cake stir-fried with cured meat, soft, glutinous, and sweet 4. Rice Tofu: Jiangkou specialty snack, served with special sauce, sour and spicy, appetizing 5. Crispy Rice: Farmhouse firewood cooked, crispy crust with soft rice, paired with local wild vegetables 8. Preparation Before Travel - Clothing: Quick-dry clothes, windbreaker (temperature difference at the summit can exceed 10℃), non-slip hiking shoes (stone steps are slippery) - Equipment: Hiking poles (save energy), raincoat (weather changes frequently), sunscreen (strong UV at high altitude), sun hat - Others: ID card, student ID (for discounts), power bank, small amount of cash (some small shops do not support mobile payments), drinking water and energy food (prices are high on the mountain) 9. Precautions 1. Safety First: Red Cloud Golden Summit steps are steep and only allow one person at a time, hold the iron chains tightly, those afraid of heights should be cautious 2. Environmental Protection: No smoking or littering in the scenic area, protect the World Natural Heritage 3. Weather Changes: Mountain weather is variable, check weather forecast before departure, bring rain gear and warm clothing 4. Religious Etiquette: Remove hats and keep quiet when worshiping, do not touch Buddha statues or ritual objects 5. Time Planning: Recommended to arrive before 7:00 to avoid peak crowds and ensure enough time to visit both Golden Summits 10. Nearby Attractions Recommendations - Yamu Valley: "Guizhou's No.1 Valley," ticket 60 RMB, 8 km canyon hike, check in at emerald streams and Yamu Waterfall - Yunshe Village: Free admission, experience Tujia "barrel house" architecture and traditional papermaking - Taiping River Rafting: Popular summer activity, ticket 120 RMB, experience thrilling canyon rafting