Mount Jiuhua Hiking, Jiuhuashan Trekking Routes, Map and Tours 2024/2025

Where is Mount Jiuhua

Located in Qingyang County, Chinzhou, Anhui Province in China, Mount Jiuhua Scenic Area is on the South Bank of the Yangtze River in the north, facing Huangshan Mountain in the south. It’s about 120km away from Huangshan Mountain and well-connected by high-speed train to Shanghai in the east (about 430km).

Important Locations to Know in Mount Jiuhua

There are mainly 3 scenic areas in Mount Jiuhua, namely Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area (Tiantai Scenic Area), Flower Terrace Scenic Area (Huatai Scenic Area), and Jiuhua Street Scenic Area, as well as the foot area of Mount Jiuhua in Kecun Village including the Tourist Center and the nearby Great Vow Culture Park (aka Dayuan Cultural Park ).

Must-visit sites: Zhiyuan Temple 祗园禅寺, Longevity Palace (Baisuigong Temple) 百岁宫, Huacheng Temple 化城寺, Incarnation Grand Hall 肉身宝殿

Mount Jiuhua Tourist Map (Zoom in to enlarge map)

Mount Jiuhua Tourist Center (Kecun Village) 九华山游客服务中心

Jiuhua Mountain Tourist Service Center is located in Kecun village, at the foot of Jiuhua Mountain. You can purchase the entrance ticket here. Also, the tourist service center is the departure station and hub station of the internal tour bus. Also, it is the station for the long-distance coach buses to/from Mount Jiuhua.

Yingxianqiao Tourist Service Sub Center 迎仙桥游客服务分中心

It is the gate to enter the Jiuhua Street area, the core scenic spot of Jiuhua Mountain.

Huxingshan Station 虎形山站

It is located in the core scenic spot on Jiuhua Street. It is about 400 meters away from Yingxianqiao bridge迎仙桥. It is the starting station for the internal tour bus of Jiuhua Mountain to Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) station 凤凰松 in Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area (Tiantai Scenic Area).

Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) Station 凤凰松站

It is the terminal station from Jiuhua Mountain's internal tour bus to Tiantai cableway station. You can take a cable car here or walk to reach the Heavenly Terrace Peak in Tiantai Scenic Area.

Jiuhua Street Scenic Area 九华街景区

From the Jiuhua Mountain Tourist Service Center at the foot of the mountain, taking the internal tour bus to Yingxianqiao bridge and get off, you will reach Jiuhua Street Scenic Area, the core area of Mount Jiuhua. It is like a busy town, where you can conveniently find supermarkets, hotels, shops, and restaurants. There are many famous temples in Jiuhua street scenic area. Most of the famous temples in Jiuhua Mountain are in Jiuhua street, and the cable car station to Longevity Palace (Baisuigong Temple) is also located in Jiuhua Street Scenic Area.

Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area 天台景区

It is a must-visit site of Jiuhua Mountain. The main sites: Heavenly Terrace Peak, 1306 meters above sea level, and it is the landmark site Tiantai temple located; The highest peak of Jiuhua Mountain, Shiwang peak, 1342 meters above sea level; Ancient Lecture Temple - Dizang Bodhisattva Temple. The famous old pine - Phoenix Old Pine. To visit the Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area, you can take a cable car or walk from Fenghuangsong station to the peak area.

Flower Terrace Scenic Area 花台景区

You can take the internal tour bus from Mount Jiuhua Tourist Center to Huatai cableway station, and take a cable car for sightseeing. You can also walk from Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area to Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area (Huatai scenic spot), or walk up to Huatai scenic spot from Minyuan Scenic Area. Huatai scenic area is famous for its natural scenery, such as mountains, peaks, and rocks. Also, there is a plank offering stunning views.

Great Vow Culture Park 大愿文化园景区

Located in Kecun village, the foot of Jiuhua Mountain, outside the core scenic area of Jiuhua Mountain, near the tourist service center, it opens for free. The main attraction is the 99 meter Bodhisattva statue, which is now free of charge.

▶ Learn more about: Mount Jiuhua Maps | Mount Jiuhua Transportation

• Popular Mount Jiuhua Tour: ✔ 2 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour

Giant Buddha Statue of Great Vow Culture Park 大愿文化园景区

Zhiyuan Temple 祗园禅寺

Tiantai Temple 天台寺

Huiju Temple 慧居寺

Jiuhua Street 九华街

Mount Jiuhua Cable Car

• Tiantai Cable Car
In the peak season (from January 16 to November 14) - CNY 160 (Round-trip Ticket), CNY 85 (One-way Ticket) for adults.
In the off-season (from November 15 to January 15) - CNY 120 (Round-trip Ticket), CNY 65 (One-way Ticket) for adults.

• Huatai Cable Car
In the peak season (from March 1 to November 30) - CNY 160 (Round-trip Ticket), CNY 90 (One-way Ticket) for adults.
In the off-season (from December 1 to February 28) - CNY 120 (Round-trip Ticket), CNY 70 (One-way Ticket) for adults.

• Baisuigong Cable Car
In the peak season (from January 16 to November 14) - CNY 100 (Round-trip Ticket), CNY 55 (One-way Ticket) for adults.
In the off-season (from November 15 to January 15) - CNY 80 (Round-trip Ticket), CNY 45 (One-way Ticket) for adults.

▶ Learn more about: Mount Jiuhua Cableways

Practical Hiking Guide on Each Scenic Area of Mount Jiuhua

Mount Jiuhua Hiking Map (Zoom in to enlarge map)

• Jiuhua Street Scenic Area: Near the ticket gate of Yingxianqiao bridge is Zhiyuan temple. After visiting Zhiyuan temple, you can walk to the cable car station to Baisuigong Temple and take the cable car back to Jiuhua Street Scenic Area. Later, you can visit Zhantanlin Temple and Incarnation Grand Hall. After leaving the body palace, you can head to Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) or Huxingshan, taking an internal tour bus. Note: You will pass through Huiju temple and many other temples along your way to Incarnation Grand Hall, and the trekking path is somehow strenuous for common visitors.

• Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area: From the cable car station near Phoenix Old Pine, it takes about 20min to the upper station by cable car. Either, you need to walk for about 2 hours to the top area of Heavenly Terrace. When you reach the upper station of the Tiantai cableway, there are two paths to go: one is to the Ancient Lecture Temple, and the other is to Shiwang Peak, which has more challenging steps to hike. The recommended traveling routes are cableway station - viewing platform - Shiwang Peak - Tiantai temple - the back mountain of Tiantai Temple - Ancient Lecture Temple - cableway station. After visiting the Tiantai temple, go to the back mountain of Tiantai temple with your companies for a while if you are not in a hurry.

• Flower Terrace Scenic Area: It’s the scenic area in Mount Jiuhua with the best natural scenery. From Huatai cableway, you can go up the mountain either taking a cable car or hiking along the plank to the top area, while hiking directly is very tiring for common visitors.

• Great Vow Culture Park: It is suggested to visit the giant buddha statue there before you go up the mountain or come back from Mount Jiuhua, and it takes about an hour to have a look.

How to Organize Your Mount Jiuhua Hiking Itinerary

1 Day Mount Jiuhua Hike

One day is usually not enough to enjoy a real hike in Mount Jiuhua with so many temples to see and a long path to hike, let alone the time needs for transportation, meal, and rest, and the actual hiking time may be less than half day. However, if you only have one day in Mount Jiuhua, there are two options available to visit the essential sites of Mount Jiuhua.

Option 1: Visit Essential Temples + Hiking to Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area

Hiking Intensity: ★★★

• Hiking Route: Phoenix Old Pine -Ancient Lecture Temple - Heavenly Terrace - ropeway downhill - Huxingshan - Huacheng Temple - Zhantanlin Temple - Shangshan hall - Incarnation Grand Hall

• Popular Mount Jiuhua Tour: ✔ 2 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour | ✔ 2 Days Mount Jiuhua Scenic Hiking Tour

Flower Terrace (Huatai) Plank

2 Days Mount Jiuhua Hike

2 Days are a good duration for the Mount Jiuhua Hike and most tourists would stay there for two days, and you need to stay in or around Mount Jiuhua for at least one night. Here, we have 3 recommended traveling options. Option 1 is mainly for tourists interested in Buddhism at a leisure pace, while option 2 is the most popular route for most visitors to visit both cultural sites and natural scenery. For tourists who are capable to do the intense hike and would like to trek more and save the cable car fare, option 3 is a good choice. You can check the itineraries below to read the details:

Option 1: Leisure Hiking to Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area and Main Temples

Hiking Intensity: ★★★

• Day 1 - Hiking Route: Yingxianqiao bridge - Zhiyuan Temple - Longevity Palace - Huacheng Temple - Zhantanlin Temple - Huiju temple - Incarnation Grand Hall

• Day 2 - Hiking Route: Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) - Shiwang Peak - Tiantai Temple - the back mountain of Tiantai temple - Ancient Lecture Temple - cable car - Fenghuangsong

Note: This route is more leisure, mainly for tourists who come to Jiuhua Mountain to worship the Buddha, excluding Huatai scenic area.

Option 2: Visiting Essential Temples and Beautiful Natural Scenery

Hiking Intensity: ★★★

• Day 1 - Hiking Route: Yingxianqiao bridge - Zhiyuan Temple - Longevity Palace - Huacheng Temple - Zhantanlin Temple- Huiju Temple - Incarnation Grand Hall - Fenghuangsong - viewing platform - Shiwang Peak - Tiantai Temple - back mountain of Tiantai temple - Ancient Lecture Temple - cable car - Fenghuangsong

• Day 2 - Hiking Route: Flower Terrace Scenic Area

Note: This Itinerary is very flexible. You can adjust your itinerary and take the cableway to visit Longevity Palace the next day if you are in a hurry on the first day.

Option 3: In-depth Hiking to Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area & Flower Terrace Scenic Area

Hiking Intensity: ★★★★★

• Day 1 - Hiking Route: Yingxian bridge - Zhiyuan Temple - Mingong Temple - Zhantanlin Temple - Huacheng Temple - Incarnation Grand Hall - Shangshan Hall - Xiaotiantai - Huixiang Pavilion - Wanfo Pagoda - Dongya Temple - Longevity Palace - Tiger Cave - Xitian Temple - Yingxianqiao bridge - Huxingshan - Fenghuangsong

• Day 2 - Hiking Route: Fenghuangsong - Huayan Cave - Huiju Temple - Heavenly Ladder - Guanyin Peak - Ancient Lecture Temple - Shiwang Peak - Huatai Terrace - Huatai cableway upper station - Huatai plank - cable car - Huatai cableway lower station

Flower Terrace 花台

Plank Trail

Steep Stairway to Tiantai Temple

3 Days Mount Jiuhua Hike

For tourists who have enough time and would like to visit Mount Jiuhua leisurely to see both natural wonders and cultural sites and visit important temples, staying in Mount Jiuhua in 3 days is advisable. During your 3 day stay, you can visit Jiuhua Street Scenic Ara and Longevity Palace on the first day, and Heavenly Terrace Scenic Area on the second day, and finally Flower Terrace peak on the last day.

Hiking Intensity: ★★★

• Day 1 - Hiking Route: Yingxianqiao bridge - Zhiyuan Temple - Longevity Palace - Huacheng Temple - Zhantanlin Temple - Huiju temple - Incarnation Grand Hall

• Day 2 - Hiking Route: Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) - Shiwang Peak - Tiantai Temple - the back mountain of Tiantai temple - Ancient Lecture Temple - cable car - Fenghuangsong

• Day 3 - Hiking Route: Flower Terrace Peak

Incarnation Grand Hall 肉身宝殿

Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) 凤凰松

Mount Jiuhua Accommodation

Most of the tourists will visit Mount Jiuhua for more than one day, and there are mainly 3 accommodation areas in & around Mount Jiuhua. Though the facilities can not be expected as good as these hotels in the cities, most of them can be qualified for your basic needs.

• Option 1 - Staying Jiuhua Street Scenic Area. It is convenient to find supermarkets, hotels, homestays, shops, and restaurants.

• Option 2 - Staying in Kecun Village, Mount Jiuhua Tourist Service Center, or Jiuhuashan Town. It is located at the foot of the mountain.

• Option 3 - Staying around Fenghuangsong (Phoenix Old Pine) Station, It is convenient for your hike with fewer accommodation choices.

Note: Book your hotel in advance, especially for tourists who would like to stay in Jiuhua Street Scenic Area or come to join important Buddhism events.

▶ Learn more about: Recommended Mount Jiuhua Hotels

Jiuhua Mountain Villa

What to Pack for Mount Jiuhua Hiking

Please pack the important items accordingly to your itinerary and season of your hiking. Wearing warmly especially with layers is the most important whenever you come to Mount Jiuhua. There is huge consumption of both energy and time. You’d better bring enough food and drinks with you. You can leave your heavy luggage in your hotel at Mount Jiuhua. Below is the packing list:

▶ Check What to wear in different seasons in Mount Jiuhua

Comfortable hiking boots or firm running shoes;
Light and comfortable pants (trekking pants in winter);
T-shirt for summer and long-sleeved shirt and underwear for autumn and winter;
Changes of socks;
Warm layers for top: fleece, cashmere jumper, sweatshirt/hoodie;
Hiking sticks;
Some energy bars for the trekking;
Sun cream;
Rain cape;
Bottle waters.

Mount Jiuhua Packing Idea

How to Plan Your Mount Jiuhua Tour

How to Get to Mount Jiuhua: Take a flight to Chizhou Jiuhuashan Airport or take a high speed train to Jiuhuashan Railway Station from Shanghai, Hangzhou, etc. or drive about 2 hours from Huangshan Yellow Mountain.

Best Time to Visit Jinan: Mid-March to Mid-November, because the temperature is comfortable with the best scenery; many Buddhist festivals and ceremonies are held.

Top Places to Visit on Mount Jiuhua: 99-Meter Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Longevity Palace, Huangcheng Temple, Tiantai Peak, Tiantai Temple…

No matter you’re a Buddhist follower or sightseeing tourist, 2 days is most suitable for a Mount Jiuhua tour. Detailed attractions and tour order can be flexibly arranged based on personal interest, time and energy.

If you specially visit Mount Jiuhua for Buddhist pilgrimage, then Buddhist temples are the must-visits. On your arrival day, you can visit the 99-Meter Golden Statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at the north foothill. In and around Jiuhua Street, you can visit Huangcheng Temple - the first Buddhism temple of Mount Jiuhua, Incarnation Grand Hall which enshrines the flesh body of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Zhantanlin Temple with massive delicate carved architectures and Zhiyuan Temple - the largest temple with the most complete layout, etc. On the second day, you can get to Longevity Palace to worship the incarnation of famous Chinese monk Haiyu (Wuxia) and Heavenly Terrace Peak (Tiantai Peak) where the highest temple - Tiantai Temple lies.

✔ 2 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour

If you’re also a traveler fascinated by natures and physical condition permits, then you can view charming mountain landscape in the Flower Terrace Scenic Area with a special Hanging Plank Road hiking experience.

✔ 2 Days Mount Jiuhua Scenic Hiking Tour
✔ 4 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour with Shanghai Essence

After your Mount Jiuhua tour, Mount Huangshan, just 2 hours’ ride away, is a popular UNESCO World Cultural & Natural Heritage worth your exploration with another 2 days. Chinese ancient culture buffs also like to visit Hongcun, Xidi and other ancient Huizhou-style village around the Mount Huangshan. If time allows, you may extend trip further to Wuyuan and Jingdezhen in neighboring Jiangxi, Mount Putuo and other famous Buddhist mountains and many more major tourist destinations in China.

✔ 5 Days Huangshan Tour & Buddhist Pilgrimage to Mount Jiuhua
✔ 5 Days Buddhism Tour to Mount Putuo & Mount Jiuhua from Shanghai
✔ 6 Days Shanghai Mount Jiuhua & Huangshan Tour

Pilgrims in Incarnation Grand Hall Mount Jiuhua Tour

Tiantai Temple on Heavenly Terrace Peak Huangshan Jiuhuashan Tour

Dreamlike Scenery of Mount Huangshan

Travel with China Discovery

China Discovery is an experienced, professional and reliable travel companion devoted to offering high-quality and the best tour services for all travelers to China. In order to have a hassle-free travel and focus on the trip itself, it’s highly recommended travelling with China Discovery. So, you can enjoy convenient airport pick-up and drop-off service and transportation to all scenic spots in a safe, clean, comfortable, air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicle. Also, we will arrange knowledgeable local tour guide, excellent accommodation and dining arrangements to ensure you rest well and get better understanding of Buddhist of Mount Jiuhua. You may select a favorite from our most popular Mount Jiuhua tours or contact us to design a unique itinerary according to your personal time and preference.

Top Recommended Mount Jiuhua Tour Packages

Below are our travel experts’ handpicked top 3 Mount Jiuhua tour packages which covers classic hiking routes, private transfer, experienced hiking guide, etc. You can also contact us to design the hiking itinerary of your own.

2 Days Mount Jiuhua Buddhism Tour

Mount Jiuhua

2 Days Mount Jiuhua Scenic Hiking Tour

Mount Jiuhua

6 Days China Mountains Tour with Classic Shanghai

Shanghai / Jiuhuashan / Huangshan

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