Tianfu Square
Chengdu, China
Mount Qingcheng, a day trip from Chengdu
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Photo: JianEn Yu, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ¥80; cable car ¥35–60 extra
- Hours (Front Mountain)
- Nov–Mar 8:30–17:00, Apr–Oct 8:00–17:30; ticket sales stop 30 min earlier
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 4 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Front Mountain entry
- ¥80; children 6 and under or below 1.3 m free
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Cable car
- Yuecheng Lake – Siwangguan: ¥35 one way, ¥60 return; under 1.2 m free
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Cable car hours
- Nov–Mar 9:00–17:00, Apr–Oct 8:00–17:30
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Yuecheng Lake boat
- ¥5
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Shuttle from car park to gate
- ¥10 one way
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Booking
- Online, real-name with your passport, up to 15 days ahead, morning or afternoon slot
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Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator. - Back Mountain
- Entry about ¥20; its own cable cars cost extra
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Train Xipu – Qingchengshan
- 25–40 min, about ¥10, real-name ticket
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Station to the gate
- Bus 101, about ¥2, to the car park, or a 10-minute taxi
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Key facts
¥80Front Mountain entry; the cable car is extra
Sourcei
Official account of the Qingchengshan–Dujiangyan scenic area≈ 1,260 mthe Front Mountain summit, crowned by Laojun Pavilion
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travelchinawith.mechinafortravelers.com2000UNESCO World Heritage listing, together with the Dujiangyan Irrigation System
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English and Russian Wikipedia2nd centuryZhang Daoling, the first Celestial Master, taught here
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English and Russian Wikipedia25–40 minby train from Xipu (Metro Line 2) to Qingchengshan Station
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chinahighlights.comtravelchinawith.mechinafortravelers.com≈ 70 kmnorth-west of Chengdu, in Dujiangyan
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Russian Wikipedia (about 68 km)chinafortravelers.com (about 67 km by road)¥35 / ¥60cable car one way and return
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Official account of the Qingchengshan–Dujiangyan scenic area15 dayshow far ahead you can book — online and real-name only
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Chengdu Release (成都发布)official scenic-area account2 sidesFront Mountain for temples, Back Mountain for gorges — separate tickets
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travelchinawith.mechinafortravelers.comwanderinchina.comTianshi Cavethe Celestial Master's Cave, linked to Zhang Daoling
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travelchinawith.mechinafortravelers.comMount Qingcheng tickets and prices
Front Mountain entry is ¥80. Children aged 6 and under, or below 1.3 m, go free, and full-time students reportedly pay half. There's no special rate for foreign visitors. The ticket is valid only on the day you booked, and the cable car, boat and shuttle are all extra.
The cable car from Yuecheng Lake to Siwangguan costs ¥35 one way or ¥60 return (¥20 / ¥30 for children 1.2–1.5 m). The boat across Yuecheng Lake is ¥5. Back Mountain entry is about ¥20; it has its own Jinli and Baiyun cable cars, and guides quote different prices for them.
Book through the scenic area's Chinese-language WeChat accounts, on Meituan or on Trip.com, which takes foreign cards. On the mountain, pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign Visa or Mastercard, and carry some cash yuan as backup.
How to get to Mount Qingcheng from Chengdu
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Tianfu Square, ride Metro Line 2 west to the end of the line at Xipu (犀浦). The intercity rail station is in the same building — follow the 城际铁路 signs.
- Trains from Xipu to Qingchengshan Station (青城山站) take 25–40 minutes and cost about ¥10. There are more than 30 a day, roughly 6 am to 8 pm. Tickets are real-name: book on 12306 or Trip.com with your passport — two or three days ahead for weekends, return included.
- The gate is about 4 km from the station. Turn right out of the exit for bus 101 (about ¥2) to the big car park below the mountain, then take the ¥10 shuttle bus to the gate. A taxi from the station takes about 10 minutes.
- Show the driver 青城山前山山门 — the Front Mountain main gate by Jianfu Palace. Ignore touts at the station offering ¥15–50 “shortcuts”: some drop people at the wrong side of the mountain.
- For the Back Mountain at Tai'an Old Town (泰安古镇), it's about 30 minutes by road from the station — minibus or taxi.
- Prefer no transfers? A tour from Chengdu with a driver, often combined with Dujiangyan.
Front Mountain or Back Mountain?
| Front Mountainyou are here | ¥80 | Taoist temples, the lake, the summit pavilion | One, ¥35 / ¥60 | 4–5 hours | Stone steps; moderate with the cable car | About 4 km, bus 101 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back Mountain | About ¥20 | Gorges, waterfalls, Tai'an Old Town | Two — Jinli and Baiyun | 5–7 hours | Long trails, harder going | About 17 km, minibus or taxi |
Front Mountain prices are official; Back Mountain prices and walking times are unofficial, from travel guides. With one day, pick the Front Mountain.
What to see on the Front Mountain
- Jianfu Palace (建福宫) by the main gate — the first temple you reach, founded in the Tang dynasty.
- Yuecheng Lake (月城湖) — a calm lake by the lower cable-car station, crossed by a small boat.
- Shangqing Palace (上清宫) — the highest working temple, about 20 minutes' walk above the cable car.
- Laojun Pavilion (老君阁) on the summit — a tiered tower with views over the ridges; access inside is reportedly limited.
- Tianshi Cave (天师洞) — the temple complex at the Celestial Master's cave, linked to Zhang Daoling.
- Chaoyang Cave (朝阳洞) — a small temple tucked under a sheer cliff on the way down.
Mount Qingcheng opening hours
The Front Mountain is open every day. From 1 November to 31 March it runs 8:30–17:00, with ticket sales ending at 16:30; from 1 April to 31 October it's 8:00–17:30, with sales ending at 17:00. Your booking slot is either morning (until noon) or afternoon.
The cable car keeps shorter hours in winter — 9:00–17:00 — and 8:00–17:30 from April to October. In peak season the queue for it can pass 40 minutes, so ride up early and walk down.
How long does it take to hike Mount Qingcheng?
On foot from the gate to the summit takes about two hours of steady stairs. The classic loop — gate, Jianfu Palace, Yuecheng Lake, cable car up, Shangqing Palace, Laojun Pavilion, then down on foot past Chaoyang Cave and Tianshi Cave — takes 4–5 hours with stops.
The Back Mountain is a different day: 5–7 hours along gorges and plank paths, starting from Tai'an Old Town, with the Jinli and Baiyun cable cars to shorten it. Doing both sides in one day isn't realistic.
Is Mount Qingcheng worth it?
Yes, if you want a calm, green day out of Chengdu with living Taoist temples and cool forest air — it's YesGo's pick for a quieter alternative to the crowds at the Leshan Giant Buddha. The train is short and cheap, and there's no single make-or-break queue.
It's less rewarding if you expect one big “wow” view: the forest hides the panoramas, and the summit is a climb. In heavy rain the steps get slippery. If you only have one free day and want spectacle, Leshan delivers more.
Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan in one day
The Dujiangyan Irrigation System, on the same UNESCO listing, is 25–30 minutes by road from the mountain gate. It has its own ¥80 ticket and its own booking slot, so reserve both.
A workable order: morning train from Xipu to Lidui Park station (离堆公园), a 10–15 minute walk to the waterworks; after lunch, a taxi to the Qingcheng gate and the cable car up; evening train from Qingchengshan back to Xipu. It works in reverse too. There's no time for the Back Mountain on such a day.
Guided tour or on your own?
Going independently is simple and cheap — metro, a ¥10 train and a bus, around ¥50 for the round trip. The fiddly parts are the Chinese-language entry booking and weekend train tickets.
A tour with a car and guide solves both, and it makes Dujiangyan easy to add, since the two are awkward to link by public transport. A guide also helps decode the temple halls — Taoist deities are less familiar to most visitors than Buddhist ones.
Before you go: checklist
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You are ready for the visit
Chengdu's temples and sacred sites compared
Places of faith in Chengdu, rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Wenshu Monastery | 40 | 1 h | Free | 54.1 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wuhou Shrine | 35 | 1 h 30 min | ¥50; ages 6–18 ¥25 | 53.3 km |
| Leshan Giant Buddha | 30 | 4 h | ¥80; river boat ¥70 extra | 151.7 km |
| Mount Qingchengyou are here | 16 | 4 h | ¥80; cable car ¥35–60 extra | — |
The mountain by day, old Chengdu by night
Metro Line 2 runs from Xipu straight into the centre. Spend the evening in Kuanzhai Alley and on Chunxi Road. Add them in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Mount Qingchengyou are here4 h · ¥80; cable car ¥35–60 extra
- 908 min walk from the previous stopKuanzhai Alley1 h · Free
- 52 min walk from the previous stopChunxi Road1 h · Free
3 places · about 22 h with walks · 960 min on foot in total
How to do it right
- In winter the gate opens at 8:30 but the cable car only at 9:00 — see Jianfu Palace and the lake first.
- Ride the cable car up and walk down: the main temples line the descent.
- Say no to “fast transfer” offers at the station — take bus 101 or a metered taxi.
- Book your return train at least 5–6 hours after you arrive.
- Food and water cost more up the mountain because porters carry everything — bring your own water.
- Stone steps get slippery in rain; wear shoes with good grip.
Questions
How much is the Mount Qingcheng ticket?
¥80 for the Front Mountain; children 6 and under or below 1.3 m go free. The cable car is ¥35 one way or ¥60 return. The Back Mountain costs about ¥20.
How do I get from Chengdu to Mount Qingcheng?
Metro Line 2 to Xipu, then the train to Qingchengshan Station — 25–40 minutes, about ¥10. From there, bus 101 to the car park and a ¥10 shuttle, or a 10-minute taxi to the gate.
Should I visit the Front or Back Mountain?
Front Mountain for the temples and if you have one day. Back Mountain for a long hike through gorges and waterfalls; it's farther from the station and harder.
What are Mount Qingcheng's opening hours?
Daily: 8:30–17:00 from 1 November to 31 March (tickets until 16:30), 8:00–17:30 from 1 April to 31 October (tickets until 17:00).
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Entry is by online real-name booking only, up to 15 days ahead, for a morning or afternoon slot. Foreigners book with a passport.
How long does it take to hike Mount Qingcheng?
About two hours from the gate to the summit; 4–5 hours for the Front Mountain loop. The Back Mountain takes 5–7 hours.
Is there a cable car on Mount Qingcheng?
Yes. On the Front Mountain it runs from Yuecheng Lake to Siwangguan for ¥35 one way or ¥60 return. The Back Mountain has two cable cars of its own.
Can I do Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan in one day?
Yes, if you stick to the Front Mountain with the cable car. The two gates are about 30 minutes apart by taxi, and each needs its own booking.
How high is Mount Qingcheng?
The Front Mountain summit at Laojun Pavilion is about 1,260 m above sea level. Some sources give higher figures for other points on the range.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Qingchengshan–Dujiangyan scenic area official account on NetEase: prices, hours, cable car, boat, shuttle bus, single entrance
- Chengdu Release (成都发布) on The Paper: online real-name booking, time slots, free entry for children
- English and Russian Wikipedia: Mount Qingcheng; Wikidata Q905536
- travelchinawith.me: hours, Back Mountain, cable cars, boats, Xipu train, summit height
- chinafortravelers.com: booking, trains, station to gate, touts, Dujiangyan on the same day
- wanderinchina.com: Xipu train, bus 101, time per side
- chinahighlights.com: Xipu – Qingchengshan trains, bus 101
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