Tianzhu Mountain Sea of Clouds Check-in Guide

Qinling Secret Realm · Cloud Peak Fairy Trail · Hiking Sanctuary "2 hours east of Xi’an, step into the real-life ‘Castle in the Sky’!" 📍 Basic Information Card Location Shanyang County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province (heart of Qinling Mountains) Elevation Range Lowest 650 meters → Highest 2074 meters (Yungai Pavilion) Core Tags Taoist sacred site, spectacular peaks and sea of clouds, forest oxygen bar, glass plank road Suitable For Light hiking enthusiasts / Taoist culture fans / photographers / family trips 🚗 Transportation Options (from Xi’an) ✅ Recommended: Self-driving Navigation: Tianzhu Mountain National Forest Park West Gate (main entrance) Travel time: about 2 hours (Xi’an Ring Road → Fuyin Expressway → Shanyang exit) Parking fee: ¥10/day (scenic area parking lot) ✅ Alternative: High-speed train + bus Xi’an North → Shanyang Station (about 1 hour), then transfer to tourist shuttle bus (about 40 minutes) ⏳ One-day Tour Timeline (no backtracking on highlights) 🕖 7:00 Depart Xi’an Breakfast suggestion: Hot tofu sandwich in Shanyang County town (local specialty) 🕘 9:00 Arrive at scenic area Ticket booking: Peak season ¥80 / Off-season ¥60 (buy online in advance to save ¥10) Must-buy transport: Round-trip cable car ¥98 (recommended: cable car up + hike down) 🕤 9:30-15:30 Core sightseeing route 🔥 Classic loop: West Gate → Cable car up → Yungai Pavilion → Dading Taoist Temple → Glass plank road → Qingfeng Ridge → Walk down → West Gate Section Duration Highlights Notes Cable car section 25 minutes Overlooking tens of thousands of azalea forests (flower sea in April-May) Fear of heights? Choose enclosed cabin Yungai Pavilion 40 minutes 2074 meters elevation sea of clouds viewing platform Ancient Taoist temple, can draw lots and pray for blessings Dading Taoist Temple 30 minutes Ming Dynasty Taoist architectural complex No photography inside the halls Glass plank road 20 minutes 200 meters suspended transparent viewing platform Shoe covers ¥5 extra, may close in wind or rain Qingfeng Ridge Trail 2 hours Pristine fir forest, streams and waterfalls Steep steps, hiking poles recommended 🕞 15:30-16:30 Descend and return Energetic visitors can challenge Tianzhu Peak Trail (adds 1.5 hours) Last cable car at 17:00, allow enough time if walking down 🕔 17:00 Return / Food bonus Must-eat list: Shanyang County "Wang’s Kitchen" ✔ Immortal tofu (green jelly made from leaves) ✔ Stir-fried cured meat with fermented black beans (Southern Shaanxi specialty) ✔ Potato glutinous cakes (dip in honey or spicy-sour sauce) 📸 Must-shoot check-in spots 1️⃣ Yungai Pavilion sunrise sea of clouds: after rain and clearing, capture the “Buddha’s light” phenomenon 2️⃣ Glass plank road floating photo: sit on the edge for a “sky mirror” effect 3️⃣ Azalea flower sea portraits: early May wild azaleas bloom, wear light-colored clothes for better photos 4️⃣ Qingfeng Ridge waterfall long exposure: use phone’s pro mode to lower shutter speed for silky water effect ⚠️ Pitfall Guide ❌ Weather pitfalls: Temperature difference up to 10℃ at the summit, bring a light jacket even in July-August Check “Shanyang County” weather forecast before trip (differs greatly from Xi’an) ❌ Gear pitfalls: No shorts! Many mosquitoes in the forest, recommend long pants + long-sleeve sun protection Must-have hiking shoes (some trails have loose stones) ❌ Expense pitfalls: Bottled water on summit ¥8/bottle, bring your own water bottle (free mountain spring water at mid-mountain) Be cautious buying “high-priced incense” at temples, sincerity is key 🎒 Pre-trip Essentials Checklist ✅ Documents: ID card, student/teacher ID (for half-price tickets) ✅ Gear: 20L backpack, hiking poles, sunscreen, power bank (under 20,000mAh) ✅ Protection: mosquito repellent, menthol balm (heatstroke prevention), foldable raincoat ✅ Supplies: energy bars, beef jerky, electrolyte water 💎 Blogger’s Private Tips 1️⃣ Off-peak secret: On weekends, arrive at cable car entrance before 8:30 to avoid 10:00 tour group rush Reverse route: enter from East Gate (hike up) + exit West Gate (cable car down) 2️⃣ Hidden viewpoints: Behind Dading Taoist Temple is “Wangxian Terrace,” great for sunset sea of clouds photos Tianzhu Mountain is the most accessible “high mountain fairyland” in the eastern Qinling, offering Taoist culture, geological wonders, and forest healing in one day. The key is to start early, use the cable car wisely, bring enough clothing, and set off with this guide in hand!