Hengshan
Getting around
Before you plan any transport, confirm which Hengshan you are visiting: the name is shared by several places, including Mount Heng in Hunan Province and Mount Heng in Shanxi Province, as well as a county and districts of the same name elsewhere. The guidance here covers the Hengshan Mountain and Hanging Temple scenic area. Within that area, private vehicles do not go directly into the scenic zones. Park at the Tourist Center parking lot and continue by shuttle bus, whether you are travelling independently or with a group. Since 1 January 2025, all tickets must be bought at the Hengshan Mountain Tourist Center, as no ticket supplement or group sales points remain at the scenic areas themselves, so sort out your tickets before boarding.
- Two separate shuttle services link the Tourist Center with the main attractions: one to the Hanging Temple scenic area and one to the Hengshan Mountain scenic area. Their operating hours differ, so check times before setting out, particularly if you plan to visit both in a day; hours can change during national statutory holidays and peak seasons.
- Tickets are sold at the Tourist Service Center, with different windows and hours for Hengshan Mountain, the Hanging Temple and Yong'an Temple. Online sales open daily, tickets are valid only on the day of visit, and refunds are possible on the day before your tour date, though expired tickets are not refunded.
- Online reservation rules matter: Hanging Temple climbing tickets are limited per order and can only be bought once a week and twice a month; other tickets can be pre-sold within seven days with a maximum per order. You may place only one order per scenic area per account per day, and a new order requires the previous one to be written off, cancelled or refunded. Unpaid orders are periodically returned to the pool, so pay promptly, and buy only through the official website or official cooperative channels, since scalped or resold e-tickets are invalidated with no entry and no refund.
- Discounts and exemptions are handled at the Tourist Center window with your ID and valid supporting documents, and you enter using your ID. Categories include active military personnel and military academy students, certain family members of military personnel, martyrs' families, disabled persons and disabled military personnel, tour guides with the required credentials, retired military cadres and retired non-commissioned officers, public security police officers, and fire rescue personnel and academy students. Students aged 18 and over with undergraduate or lower qualifications receive half price with ID and student ID, and visitors aged 60 and over may enter Yong'an Temple, Hengshan Mountain and the Hanging Temple with valid ID, though a 0-yuan ticket is still required to climb the Hanging Temple.
- Pets are prohibited in the scenic area, so arrange care for animals before you arrive, and build extra time into your schedule for the Tourist Center transfer, especially at busy periods.
Three days in Hengshan
Day one: Begin at the Hengshan Mountain Tourist Center, where you can sort out tickets and any discounts you may qualify for. Bring your ID, since categories such as students may be eligible for reduced rates, and note that tickets can also be arranged online. From the tourist center, make your way into the park and start exploring the lower slopes of Hengshan Mountain at an easy pace.
Day two: Give the mountain itself your full attention. Mount Heng rewards a steady climb, with the Hanging Temple standing out among the sights you can visit along the way. Carry water and check conditions before setting out, as the weather on the mountain can turn cold and windy without much warning.
Day three: Round off your stay with the quieter stops. Visit Yong Temple and take your time around the temple grounds before returning to the tourist service center. If you are travelling with pets, confirm the rules in advance, and keep your ID and any unpaid balances in order before you leave.