Mount Fanjing Tourism Area is located at the junction of Jiangkou County, Yinjiang County, and Songtao County in Tongren City, Guizhou Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction with a total area of 567 square kilometers. Mount Fanjing is a famous Buddhist mountain in China and the main peak of the Wuling Mountains. Its highest peak, Phoenix Mountain, is 2,572 meters above sea level. The scenic area is known for its unique geological landforms, rich biodiversity, and profound Buddhist culture. Mount Fanjing has typical karst landforms and primeval forest landscapes, with a forest coverage rate of over 95%. There are many rare animals and plants on the mountain, such as the Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkey and the dove tree. The scenic area also contains many temple buildings, such as Cheng'en Temple, carrying a long Buddhist cultural heritage.
History and Culture
Mount Fanjing has a long history, and its Buddhist culture has deep roots. As early as the Song Dynasty, Buddhism began to spread into the Mount Fanjing area. During the Ming Dynasty, Buddhism at Mount Fanjing reached its peak. Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty ordered the construction of many temples, making it one of the five great Buddhist mountains in China. At that time, incense was abundant, believers were numerous, and temple buildings were scattered throughout the mountain.
Historically, Mount Fanjing was not only a Buddhist holy site but also became a strategically important military location because of its unique geographical position and natural landscapes. In different historical periods, important military events took place here, witnessing the changes of history.
The Mount Fanjing area is also a multi-ethnic settlement. Ethnic groups such as the Tujia, Miao, and Dong have lived here for generations, forming rich and diverse ethnic cultures and traditional customs. These ethnic cultures blended with the natural landscapes and Buddhist culture of Mount Fanjing, forming its unique cultural heritage.
Major Attractions
Mushroom Rock
Mushroom Rock is one of the symbolic attractions of Mount Fanjing. It is about 10 meters high, large at the top and small at the bottom, shaped like a mushroom. It stands on the summit and has not fallen despite hundreds of millions of years of weathering and erosion. With its unique shape, it is a masterpiece of nature and a must-visit photo spot for many tourists. Around Mushroom Rock, visitors can also enjoy Mount Fanjing's unique geological landscapes and magnificent mountain views.
Red Cloud Golden Summit
Red Cloud Golden Summit is about 2,336 meters above sea level. It is often surrounded by red clouds and auspicious aura in the morning, hence its name. The vertical height difference from the foot to the top of the Golden Summit is 94 meters. A fissure in the middle divides the summit into two parts, which are connected by a bridge at the top. A temple is built on each side, one enshrining Sakyamuni Buddha and the other enshrining Maitreya Buddha. Climbing Red Cloud Golden Summit requires a certain amount of physical strength and courage. Along the way, there are steep stone steps and iron chains to assist climbing. After reaching the top, visitors can overlook the magnificent scenery of Mount Fanjing, with an extremely wide field of view.
Cheng'en Temple
Cheng'en Temple is located below the New Golden Summit of Mount Fanjing and is the largest temple in the scenic area. The temple was first built in the Ming Dynasty, has a long history, and its architectural style is simple and elegant. Cheng'en Temple carries the Buddhist culture of Mount Fanjing and is an important place for pilgrims to worship. The temple has abundant incense and melodious bells. Visitors can feel the strong Buddhist atmosphere here and learn about the meaning of Buddhist culture.
Guizhou Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey Reserve
Mount Fanjing is the main habitat of the Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkey. The Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkey is known as "the Earth's only child" and is a national first-class protected animal in China. A Guizhou golden snub-nosed monkey reserve has been established in the primeval forests of Mount Fanjing. Visitors can observe the living habits of the monkeys in designated areas. Although you may not necessarily see them with your own eyes, the rich vegetation and unique ecological environment in the reserve are also worth exploring. There are many rare plants and other wild animals here, making it a good place to learn about biodiversity.
Recommended Tour Routes：
Recommended route: If you have enough time, it is recommended to spend two days. On the first day, take the sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to the lower cableway station, take the cableway up the mountain, and first visit attractions such as Mushroom Rock and Eagle Rock to enjoy the unique geological landscapes. Then go to Cheng'en Temple to experience the Buddhist cultural atmosphere, rest, and have a meal nearby. In the afternoon, go to Red Cloud Golden Summit, climb it, and enjoy the magnificent scenery at the top. After that, return to the lower cableway station, take the sightseeing bus down the mountain, and stay overnight around the scenic area. On the second day, you can choose a hiking route, walk up from Heiwan River, and enjoy the beautiful primeval forest and rich vegetation along the way. After reaching the summit, visit again the attractions you are interested in, then descend and return in the afternoon. If time is tight, you can choose a one-day tour, take the cableway up and down, and focus on major attractions such as Mushroom Rock, Red Cloud Golden Summit, and Cheng'en Temple.
Travel Tips：
Learn about the weather conditions at Mount Fanjing in advance. It is best to visit on sunny or cloudy days so you can enjoy more beautiful scenery. You can check via weather forecast apps or the official scenic area website.
Prepare comfortable sneakers and clothing suitable for hiking, because some sections of Mount Fanjing require hiking. Comfortable clothing will make the trip easier.
If you plan to climb Red Cloud Golden Summit, prepare yourself mentally and physically in advance, pay attention to safety, follow signs and staff guidance, and do not crowd or take risks.
Protect the environment in the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
When tasting local food, choose legitimate restaurants and snack stalls to ensure food hygiene.
Precautions：
Follow all scenic area regulations, obey staff instructions, and do not enter unopened areas without authorization.
During the hike, pay attention to safety, especially on steep sections and narrow boardwalks. Walk carefully to avoid accidents.
Mount Fanjing is a Buddhist holy site. Respect Buddhist culture and beliefs. Do not make loud noises in temples and observe temple etiquette.
In case of emergency, call the scenic area's emergency rescue number or ask nearby staff for help.
When taking the cableway, follow staff instructions, board in order, fasten your seat belt, and do not shake the cabin or make dangerous movements.
Transportation：
Public transportation: From Tongren city area, take a bus to Jiangkou County. The journey takes about 1 hour, and the fare is about CNY 20. After arriving in Jiangkou County, take the scenic area shuttle to Mount Fanjing; the fare is about CNY 10. You can also take vehicles to Mount Fanjing from Yinjiang County or Songtao County. Consult the local station for specific schedules and fares.
Self-driving: From Tongren city area, take Hangrui Expressway, Anjiang Expressway, and other roads to reach Mount Fanjing Scenic Area. The total distance is about 100 kilometers, and the drive takes about 2 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot; parking fees are charged according to parking duration.
Opening Hours：
Mount Fanjing Tourism Area is open all year round from 08:00 to 19:00 (ticket sales stop at 15:00, and ticket checks for entry stop at 16:00). During statutory holidays or peak tourist seasons, the scenic area may adjust its opening hours according to actual conditions. Visitors can check official scenic area information in advance and arrange their itineraries reasonably.
Tickets：
Admission: CNY 122 per person.